A lawyers guide to writing legal writing, plain english. Economics and political science, williams college 1969. It is our philosophy that a firm is successful because of. We use old, arcdne phrases to express commonplace ideas. The first thing to consider in answering this question is, what is meant by a book about legal writing. Wydick plain english for lawyers carolina academic press david mellinkoff the language of the law little, brown veda r. Wydick, plain english for lawyers carolina academic press, 5th ed. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Carolina academic press will publish the fifth edition of richard wydicks plain english for lawyers in time for use in the fall of 2005. In 1979, richard wydick published plain english for lawyers. With over a quarter of a million copies of the first two editions in print, plain english for lawyers is probably the most popular law school text today, speculates the new york times.
Plain english for lawyers has been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers. First, you have books that impart general writing advice, using examples drawn from legal prose. Its not often that one has the opportunity to interview a pioneer of plain language, but this april we were lucky enough to speak with richard wydick, the author of plain english for lawyers and a professor emeritus of the university of california, davis, law school. Last january, the legal writing institute gave wydick its golden pen award for having written plain english for lawyers. Professor richard wydick on plain english for lawyers. I heard that it has sold over a million copies, which is a lot for a. Along with writing influential books on antitrust law and evidence, he wrote this book plain english for lawyers that ended up being the bestselling law book of all time or something like that. Wydicks little book has been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers, lawyers, and judges for over 25 years. This manual workbook has simple exercises that made me practice being concise and. Martha faulk is a former practicing lawyer and english instructor who teaches legal. The legal writing institute is a nonprofit organization that provides a forum for discussion and.
Bryan garner suggested the search for of in legal writing in plain english 4041 2001. Buy a cheap copy of plain english for lawyers book by amy e. Sep 01, 20 the first thing to consider in answering this question is, what is meant by a book about legal writing. Annalise keatings portrayal as a black attorney is the real scandal. Our editors, when writing a headnote, attempt to apply the rules stated by wydick. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read.
Richard wydick st pete beach, fl business information. Plain english or laymans terms is language that is intended to be clear and concise. Teachers manual for plain english for lawyers fourth edition richard c. Read above, no where does it say 5th edition because if it did, i wouldnt have bought it.
Plain english for lawyers by wydick, richard and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Richard nydick phone, address, background info whitepages. In january 2005, the legal writing institute gave wydick its golden pen award for having written plain english for lawyers. Our sentences twist on, phrase within clause within clause, glazing the eyes and numbing. Now the leading guide to clear writing in the field, this indispensable volume encourages legal writers. In january 2005, the legal writing institute gave wydick its golden pen award for. Before moving to richards current city of st pete beach, fl, richard lived in youngstown oh. Legal writing resources at the unb law library cathy cotter july 2016. Richard also answers to richard a wydick and richard a wydick, and perhaps a couple of other names. Its reputation for obscurity and needless legalese is widespread. We provide aggressive representation, keep open communications with clients, and charge reasonable fees. Jun 02, 2016 a tribute to my father, professor richard wydick 1937 2016 by bruce wydick june 2, 2016 uncategorized no comments those of you who knew my father well know that he was in many ways a great man, and more importantly, a very good man. Wydick, plain english for lawyers, 5th ed durham, nc.
The law office of rebekah wedick is a multifaceted law office with two primary locations. Essential lawyering skills interviewing, counseling. The best result we found for your search is richard michael nydick age 60s in maryville, tn. Wydick emeritus professor of law university of california, davis carolina academic press durham, north carolina wydick 5e ch 0 cx fmt 7306 1. Select this result to view richard michael nydicks phone number, address. Textbook list firstyear students spring 2008 contracts ii. My book, plain english for lawyers, was originally an article. Richard wydick s concise book should be required reading for lawyers. Wydick is the author of plain english for lawyers 3. Garners legal writing in plain english has helped address this problem by providing lawyers, judges, paralegals, law students, and legal scholars with sound advice and practical tools for improving their written work. To the translators mind, not only are phrases such as hereinafter and notwithstanding the fact that ugly, translating them into another languageor translating their sourcelanguage. Jan 14, 2014 teachers manual for plain english for lawyers fourth edition richard c.
It became the journals bestselling article in reprint form, and wydick expanded it into a book published the next year by carolina academic press. Martineau drafting legislation and rules in plain english west david mellinkoff legal writing. As lawyers, we dont always know the gender of the person we are writing about or we are writing about abstract. In 2003 wydick retired after 32 years on the law faculty of the university of california, davis. Two to three is typical but check the application requirements for each judge carefully. Cap plain english for lawyers, sixth edition 9781531006990. Wydicks plain english for lawyers now in its fifth edition has been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers, lawyers, and judges for over 25 years. Richard wydick a, 79 st pete beach, fl background report. Wydick sold by cellarofbooks they still refused to admit they were wrong for sending me my stuff. Wydick s plain english for lawyersnow in its fifth editionhas been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers, lawyers, and judges for over 25 years. Legal research, writing, and analysis 3 the following is a summary of the assignments and their relative weights. Why plain legal language matters an interview with richard wydick, legal writing scholar. Also included are practice exercises and a teachers manual.
Wydick emeritus professor oflaw university ofcalifornia,davis carolinaacademic press durham,north carolina. Examining how the use of stereotypical depictions of black women can lead to the formation of implicit biases. Closed memo case illustrations pf 5% 96 before 9 am project 3. Wydicks plain english for lawyers now in its fifth edition has been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers, lawyers, and judges for over. Perhaps no single work has done more to improve the writing of lawyers and law students and to promote the modern trend toward a clear, plain style of legal writing. All of us in the field of legal writing have benefited from his careful scholarship and wise guidance expressed in the language of the law 1963, legal writing. Plain english for lawyers has been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers, lawyers, and judges for almost 40 years. The legal writer welcome to the oregon state bar online. Wydick s plain english for lawyers now in its fifth editionhas been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers, lawyers, and judges for over 25 years. The phrases glue words and working words are borrowed from richard wydick, plain english for lawyers 7 5th ed. Sloan professor of law at university of baltimore school of law. Closed memo diagrammed statute pf 5% 821 before 9 am project 2. Basing on richard wydicks classic text plain english for lawyers, adams 2005 attacks the muddled and archaic language that abounds in legal documents.
Carolina academic press will publish the fifth edition of richard wydick s plain english for lawyers in time for use in the fall of 2005. Wydick joined the law school faculty in 1971, and was a fixture at king hall until his retirement in 2003, teaching evidence, antitrust law, professional responsibility, advanced legal writing, and whats now called intellectual property, though it used to be. West advises public companies, private companies, private equity funds and. Explore the richard wydick business page in st pete beach, fl. Richard wydick is 78 years old and was born on 04061941.
There are additional examples from briefs, statutes, and opinions. Unless otherwise noted, the books listed below are required for the spring 2008 semester. The sixth edition, now coauthored by amy sloan, updates this classic text, including new chapter exercises, while preserving all the approaches that make it such a standard in the field. A tribute to my father, professor richard wydick 19372016. How to write plain english by rudolph flesch, harpercollins, 1979. Legal writing resources at the unb law library cathy cotter july 2016 with assistance from elizabeth matheson and daniel boyle 1. Wydick s little book has been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers, lawyers, and judges for over 25 years. Here at maritime law book we have used a book of less than 100 pages titled plain english for lawyers by richard wydick. Wydicks plain english for lawyers now in its fifth edition has been a favorite of law students, legal writing teachers, lawyers, and judges for over 25 years how does the fifth edition of plain english for lawyers differ from its predecessors. They have also lived in east windsor, nj and trenton, nj plus 3 other locations. We use eight words to say what could be said in two. Legal writing is filled with lengthy phrases that could be replaced by just a.
List of plain english words and phrases infogalactic. The books listed are available at the campus shop and can be ordered. Plain language pleadings by carol ann wilson, prentice hall, 1996. All of the exercises have been written to help the.
Plain english for lawyers by richard wydick, carolina academic press, 4th edn. If your own unique brand of professional deformation has you using words like utilize and proactive on a weekly basis, read plain english for lawyers. Richard is related to kimberly lauren nydick and robert c nydick as well as 1 additional person. West counsel, wilmington mergers and acquisitions t. Jan 01, 2012 basing on richard wydick s classic text plain english for lawyers, adams 2005 attacks the muddled and archaic language that abounds in legal documents. Richard wyrough is a construction attorney in lothian, md. Plain english writing style is now a legal duty for companies registering securities under the. Publication date 1998 topics legal composition publisher. We pride ourselves in serving the springfield, missouri and st. Several of the courses from the fall semester continue over to the spring, so students have fewer books to purchase this semester. This second edition text continues to stress the basic techniques of good writing.
1285 281 423 779 1291 1277 794 1472 409 1212 350 1037 278 811 820 1445 803 64 1265 499 280 1238 1249 480 840 940 1263 1375 340 809 622 1399 418 385 1012 697