Pleasing the Court: Writing Ethical and Effective Briefs

This book examines ethical and effective legal writing by providing more than two hundred examples of judges' reactions to errors in lawyers' writing. The cited cases cover errors ranging from serious ethical breaches, like misrepresenting facts, to grammatical and citation errors. The erring lawyer incurred consequences that ranged from disbarment to strong verbal rebukes.

Written by a law professor and former practitioner, the book promotes high standards in legal writing. It is recommended for law school courses as well as for continuing legal education courses, law firms, and individuals interested in effective writing and the soundness of the legal system. Practical exercises are included to help readers improve their writing techniques.

Judith Fischer is an Emerita Professor of Law at the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. She taught at that school for 15 years.