Wednesday, May 20, 2015
New study highlights importance of writing and research skills
Computer-research vendor Lexis-Nexis recently conducted a study of 300 hiring partners and supervising attorneys to determine what they seek in newly-hired lawyers. Among the study’s findings are that 66% of the respondents want new lawyers to have good writing skills--especially the ability to draft motions, briefs, and pleadings. The study also found that newer attorneys spend 40% – 60% of their time conducting legal research. These findings, along with the study’s other conclusions, highlight the importance of topics covered in legal research and writing courses.
(jdf)
May 20, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Scholars' Forum at The John Marshall Law School
The GLS-10 Scholars' Forum is continuing with presentations on secrets of foreign and international law research. Presenters pictured here are Clare Gaynor WIllis (Chicago-Kent College of Law) and Anne Abramson (The John Marshall Law School-Chicago). The program includes useful international and foreign law legal research resources, including many legal research secrets.
The Scholars' Forum is being held in advance of the 10th Global Legal Skills Conference, being held in Chicago at The John Marshall Law School and Northwestern University School of Law. The Facultad Libre del Derecho de Monterrey is an additional co-sponsor of the GLS conference. The Scholars' Forum being held in advance of the GLS Conference is sponsored by the Association of Legal Writing Directors.
(mew)
May 19, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
GLS Scholars' Forum Underway at The John Marshall Law School
Paulina E. Wilson of Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland is among the presenters speaking today at the GLS-10 Scholars Forum, in advance of the Global Legal Skills Conference. Her presentation is on the subject of “Comparative Legal Skills in the Context of Criminal Justice: A Call for Interdisciplinarity." Her presentation explores differences in how criminal statutes are construed in different countries, including close readings of statutory examples from the Criminal Codes of Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
The Scholarship Forum is sponsored by the Association of Legal Writing Directors and is being held at The John Marshall Law School in advance of the 10th Global Legal Skills Conference being held this week at John Marshall and Northwestern University.
(mew)
May 19, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Law Student Essay Competition on Public Interest Law
The University of Pennsylvania Law Review announced a competition for student-authored submissions for its first annual public-interest essay competition. The author of the first-prize paper will receive $3,000, and the winning article will be published in volume 164 of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Here's what you need to know about it.
COMPETITION DETAILS |
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TOPIC FORMAT ELIGIBILITY |
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DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION JUDGING PROCESS AND WINNER NOTIFICATION These guidelines and the link to the online submission portal are accessible through the Public Interest tab on the website of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. |
Hat tip to Eleanor Barrett, Associate Dean for Legal Practice Skills, University of Pennsylvania Law School
(mew)
May 17, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Job Posting: Associate Director for Distance Education Programs at Texas A&M University School of Law
Texas A&M University School of Law is seeking to employ an Associate Director for Distance Education Programs. Seven years of progressively responsible management experience, including three years with Course Management Systems (e.g. Blackboard/Webcourses), webinar systems (e.g. FUZE, WebX, GoToMeeting) and multi-media production (e.g. Echo 360) in an online teaching environment.
Preferred post-graduate degree in law, such as J.D., L.L.M. or equivalent Masters degree in subject matter, such as risk management or wealth management. Licensed attorney.
Here's the link to the job description.
Hat tip to William Byrnes
(mew)
May 13, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Two Spaces After a Period?
Grammar Girl takes on this issue. It took me a while to get used to using only one space, but I got there.
(kem)
May 12, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Monday, May 11, 2015
Better than Books?
As someone who has publicly stated it is time to "Say Goodbye to the Books," I was pleased to see Lawyerist's suggestions for "Better Things than Law Books to Take Your Picture in Front Of."
(kem)
May 11, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Friday, May 8, 2015
Legal writing professor's students write about homelessness
A project overseen by Seattle legal writing professor Sara Rankin has been causing a lot of buzz in Seattle. The Human Rights Advocacy Project revealed that "It’s often difficult or impossible for homeless people not to break . . . laws" against activities like sleeping in public. Rankin's students became engaged with the topic by writing about it.
(jdf)
May 8, 2015 in Games | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Recent scholarship about the Supreme Court
A recent article in the New York Times notes an increase in quantitative analysis of U.S. Supreme Court opinions. It cites forthcoming scholarship by Daniel Rockmore, Keith Carlson, and Michael Livermore as showing that the Court's current opinions are “sprawling, accessible and testy.” Illustrating the latter two traits, the article quotes a pointed response by Chief Justice John Roberts in Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar, a recent judicial ethics opinion. Dissenting Justice Antonin Scalia argued that the judicial canon against judges’ campaigning has “nothing to do with the appearances created by judges’ asking for money.” Writing for the majority, Roberts’ rejoinder was one word: “Nothing?”
Hat tip: Terrill Pollman
(jdf)
May 6, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Creating credibility by writing well
"[G]ood briefs demand little physical or mental effort from the reader." So writes Bryan Garner in his latest ABA Journal column. Garner also cites Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman about the "halo effect"--the idea that a good first impression creates credibility, while even small errors can make a reader think poorly of the writer. And Garner reminds brief writers that "less is more," a point supported by Kahneman's science.
(jdf)
May 5, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sunday, May 3, 2015
ALWD Summer Conference Schedule
May 3, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Registration Still Open for the Carolinas Legal Research and Writing Colloquium
Registration remains open for the 2015 Carolinas Legal Research and Writing Colloquium, which will take place on May 15, 2015, in Durham, North Carolina, at Duke. Click here to learn more about the Colloquium and to register. The website includes an agenda, information about parking, and information on local hotels. The Colloquium is free to attend but you must register by May 8th to allow the organizers to plan for food and other refreshments.
Hat tip to Jeremy Mullem
(mew)
May 3, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Anne Enquist Stepping Down as Director at Seattle
Anne M. Enquist of Seattle University School of Law announced that she will be stepping down as Director of Seattle’s Legal Writing Program at the end of this school year. She wants us to know that she's not retiring, but just stepping down as Program Director. Mary Bowman (who has been the Associate Director at Seattle for the past three years) will move into the Director position.
(mew)
May 3, 2015 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)