Recently I was in a meeting with a group of attorneys reviewing two proposed addenda to a contract. One was very detailed – contained definitions, covered all possible contingencies and outcomes. Its sheer length and complexity made it more difficult to follow. The second was much shorter thus easier to understand and addressed only the …
The Night Prior to Christmas
Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter “the House”) a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse. A variety of foot apparel, e.g., stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the …
The Subject Was in the Premises
One of the major things we do at practicelaw is draft forms. When we draft new forms, we have three primary objectives: 1) getting the form legally complete and correct; 2) formatting the form so that it actually functions properly; and 3) ensuring that the language in the form is plain and easily understood, typically …
Write Like You Learned Something in High School
Judge Kressel has an article in this month’s Illinois Bar Journal explaining why and how he developed “Order Preparation Guidelines” for the local bankruptcy bar. I had read them when he first issued them and upon rereading, I was once again struck with the reasonableness of what he is asking – in short, he is …