Read the Law

“Typography for Lawyers”

March 5, 2017 by Read the Law

Typography for Lawyers, written by Matthew Butterick, should be considered required reading for any lawyer that cares about his or her documents. And that means any lawyer that cares about his or her practice, because for all our pontificating that the practice of law is about something other than documents, our primary method of communication remains the realm of documents, whether we are litigators or transaction oriented lawyers.

What Butterick has to say is important to lawyers, but how he says it is even more important. This book is that once in a million “how to” that reveals much more “how to” than you might initially think.

The topic of the book is the importance of typography to the written word, more precisely the effect on the reader, and it includes rules to follow and practical advice, with examples. As Butterick writes in his Introduction to the book, lawyers are “part of the biggest, most important publishing industry in the United States.” And, every document lawyers produce is “important to someone — our clients.”

But any wise veteran of legal warfare will quickly realize that Butterick’s book teaches us much more. His writing style is wonderfully direct and concise, so while Butterick is telling us why we should care about typography and what typography we should consider, he’s educating us on how to write, how to write effective legal documents, how to write persuasive motions, pleadings or briefs, and how to engage our readers, whether they be judges, other lawyers, or clients.

Typography for Lawyers is only $30. Do yourself and your dependents a favor; buy this book and read it.

You can find links to purchase the book on Butterick’s web site, www.typographyforlawyers.com.

McConaughey

June 29, 2015 by Read the Law

First published in 1975 and updated with a new edition annually, Dan E. McConaughey’s Georgia Divorce, Alimony, and Child Custody is both comprehensive and detailed. While other Georgia domestic law treatises might be better written and more readable, none match the scope of this study of Georgia domestic relations law and the detailed footnotes and case citations McConaughey provides.

Usually referred to simply as “McConaughey,” many consider it the Georgia domestic law “bible.”

Any domestic law research should start with McConaughey; if you do not find the answer in five minutes, you will at least know what to look for and probably find a list of cases to start your case research.

As a comprehensive encyclopedia of Georgia domestic law, the book should be on the desk of any lawyer just starting a domestic practice.

Buy this book and keep it current!

Georgia Divorce, Alimony, and Child Custody, 2014-15 Edition, is available from Thompson Reuters, go right to purchase.

So, What’s this About?

December 7, 2014 by Read the Law

When asked about a legal point, or how to handle something as a lawyer, my father liked to say “Read the Law!” With his long time law partner, he “raised” many young lawyers to be advocates and professionals, to do their homework and stay current on the law. Not once in all the years did I ever see him shoot from the hip like a loose cannon or lose his cool in court. And those he tutored followed his example.

And that is the foundation for a collection of case updates we’ve designed, including decisions of the Georgia Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, as well as statute and rules updates, posted as quickly as we can get the material out, plus other research features oriented to providing you with the most recent case insights. Email notification of new posts is automatic, and you’ll also receive a monthly case update Newsletter.

It’s all designed to put the information you need to continue to be a great lawyer in your field right where you need it, on your computer, your iPad, your phone. But, you’ll have to subscribe first! Check out the site or sites you are interested, below and listed under the Menu heading Georgia Law Sections to the right.

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