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Full-Text Articles in Law
Right Writing Or Rite Riting?, K.K. Duvivier
Right Writing Or Rite Riting?, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
After more than two decades of deliberation, a government-sponsored commission, composed of linguists from the major German-speaking countries, recently issued a new standard German grammar called Die neue deutsche Rechtschreibung.
The Volley Of Canons, K.K. Duvivier
The Volley Of Canons, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
The "canons of construction" are a set of formalized rules or maxims for interpreting words. These canons are especially relevant for two categories of legal writers. First, brief writers can use the canons to argue a particular interpretation of the words of a statute. The statute's words provide the best evidence of statutory intent, both under the "plain-meaning" rule and when legislative history is sparse. Second, attorneys who draft instruments should consider the impact of the canons when choosing specific language to insert in a contract,' lease, or other instrument.
Not Selected For Official Publication, K.K. Duvivier
Not Selected For Official Publication, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Hundreds of thousands of "unpublished opinions" are now available on electronic databases. Although these opinions have not been designated as officially published precedent, they still may have a significant impact on the outcome of your client's case. The dilemma is whether you can or should cite these unpublished cases in your brief.
The Footnote=An Interruption, K.K. Duvivier
The Footnote=An Interruption, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
The footnote is a familiar tool in legal scholarship. Some of the best law review articles, legal encyclopedias, and legal treatises devote half of each page to detailed, supporting footnotes. Footnotes make sense in this context. Readers of these sources have a dual objective: to glean a general framework for an argument and to find specific authorities to support each point. The Colorado Lawyer is such a research source. It lists authorities in endnotes so its readers may complete an article uninterrupted, but they also may find the more specific sources if they should need them.
Readers Speak Out, K.K. Duvivier
Readers Speak Out, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
This month, I am turning the column over to letters from readers. If you have a question or comment to share, please feel free to write or e-mail me at the addresses in the box below. Don't worry I will ask your permission before using your name.
Nothing So Destructive As Habit, K.K. Duvivier
Nothing So Destructive As Habit, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
As with physical exercise, inertia may prevent you from beginning. You complete your briefs, your clients pay the bills, and you win some of your cases. Doesn't this mean your writing is adequate? You already spend a lot of your time writing--why dedicate additional time to improve?