Writing Legally: Judge Painter's Rules for Plain Legal Writing

This program has been cancelled.

(6.0 hours general CLE credit in Ohio and Kentucky)
(This program has also been approved for Specialty Certification in Appellate Law.)

At Stratford Heights Complex
2634 Stratford Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45220
(across the street from UC Maingate on Clifton Ave.)

If you write, you will benefit!
This program will teach you to better persuade in writing, with strong and plain language. Judge Painter will demonstrate why it is important for legal writers to be precise, clear, and concise. Through Judge Painter’s always entertaining presentation and a series of classroom exercises, participants will learn how to apply the advice in his widely acclaimed book on legal writing. In-class opportunities to practice will yield immediate impact on your legal writing. [All participants will receive the book: The Legal Writer: 40 Rules for the Art of Legal Writing.]

Faculty: The Honorable Mark P. Painter of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal

United Nations Appeals Tribunal Judge Mark P. Painter served as a judge on the Ohio Court of Appeals from 1994-2009. Judge Painter has written five books: The Legal Writer: 40 Rules for the Art of Legal Writing, now in its fourth edition, Write Well: 25 Rules for Improving your Business and Professional Writing (2007), Ohio Driving Under the Influence, 18th ed. (2008), Ohio Appellate Practice (co-author) (2008), and William Howard Taft: President and Chief Justice (2004) as well as law review articles and hundreds of other journal articles. An adjunct professor at the UC College of Law, he taught agency and partnership and, more recently, legal writing. He has presented on legal writing and appellate practice to judges and lawyers across the country.

Fees = $275
Early registration by November 20, 2009 for December 4= $225

Registration: If paying by credit card, please register.

Location: Stratford Heights Complex (across the street from UC Maingate on Clifton Ave.) Get directions (pdf)

Agenda

8:30 a.m. — Registration, Breakfast

8:45 a.m. — How Did We Get Into This Mess? What Makes Legal Writing So Often Terrible?

9:15 a.m. — The 40 Rules for the Art of Legal Writing Give Readers a Map; Context Before Detail; Starting the Case - The Issues; Facts

10:45 a.m. —Break

11:00 a.m. —Working with the Rules - Practice!

12:00 p.m. —Lunch served

12:45 p.m. — 40 Rules - Marching Through Text-Paragraphs: Sentences; Clutter v. Clarity - Footnotes! Citations

2:45 p.m — Break

3:00 p.m. — Finishing the 40 Rules - Legalisms - One Word is Enough; Latinisms; Final Advice

4:00 p.m.—Adjournment and Evaulations