Scribes - The American Society of Legal Writers

Scribes -- the American Society of Legal Writers -- meets this weekend in San Diego, California.  The meeting is hosted by Steve Smith, Dean of the California Western School of Law, who is the new president of Scribes.  Today, three of the Scribes Superstars are in the school's moot court room presented a standing-room only seminar on legal writing.  Presenting were:

• Richard Wydick (Professor Emeritus, University of California at Davis and author of Plain English for Lawyers, a book that has sold more than 800,000 copies).  He presented on "Specificity, Vagueness, and Ambiguity."
• Joe Kimble (Professor at Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and the principal redrafter of the Federal Rules).  He presented "Tips on Legal Drafting."
• Darby Dickerson (Dean of Stetson University College of Law and author of the ALWD Citation Manual).  She presented on "Professionalism and Legal Writing."

Any member of the legal profession is eligible to join Scribes as a regular, sustaining, or lifetime member.  Members must (1) have published at least one book on a legal subject, (2) authored two articles on legal subjects in a journal, magazine, or newsletter, or two decisions as a judge or administrative hearing officer, or (3) have served as an editor of a legal publication. 

Membership includes a journal, a newsletter, invitations to an annual award luncheon, and the support of an incredible organization for legal writers.  Click here for information on membership.

If you don't have that publication record yet, you can still join Scribes as an associate member.  Click here for more general information about Scribes. 

And here's an article from the Michigan Bar Journal that introduces Scribes. 

Mark E. Wojcik, Board Member, Scribes