August 11, 2026

Practice Tip #10: Keep it short

On writing, from the Curmudgeon’s Guide to Practicing Law, page 25: “Edit yourself.” Really. Do it. If you don’t, someone else will have to edit your work for you, and that’s, well, embarrassing. Further, shorten your sentences. After I write a brief, I go back and re-read it, concentrating solely on matters of style. I read […]

The Human Cost of Ignoring Medicaid Reform

One of the critiques that my left leaning friends often level at the political right is that Republicans are cold and heartless. Republicans are the champions of big business and soulless capitalists, they say. They don’t care about the poor, the elderly, or the weak of society. It may be a valid critique, if a […]

Law Practice Tip #9: Start Your Research From 20,000 Feet

I admit it: I like Google. It makes life easier. Occasionally, when I am given an issue to research by one of the partners, I’m inclined to just punch it into Google, if just to see what comes up, hoping that maybe I’ll get lucky and find the answer right away. Sometimes it works; usually, […]

A graphical look at the 2012 GOP nomination

FiveThirtyEight, a New York Times blog run by Nate Silver, has an interesting graphic up describing the 2o12 race for the Republican nomination for President. (Don’t forget to vote in the poll at the left ) His data is based on how well the candidates are trading on Intrade. It’s an interesting graphic, and the analysis […]

Misdiagnosis: Judicial Activism « James Madison Institute

In the wake of the latest in a series of cases on the Affordable Health Care for America Act–Obamacare to its detractors, the Holy Grail of legislation to its defenders–the pejorative of “judicial activism” has been leveled  at Judge Roger Vinson and his ruling striking down the law. While the White House avoids using the term judicial, […]

Law Practice Tip #8: Make things easier to understand

“No one will ever complain about your writing making something easier to understand.” That’s how you should try to write, whether its for a partner, a judge, or your client. Simple, clean, articulate, and careful. No one has to read what you write, and it doesn’t take much to distract the reader to something else. […]

Law Practice Tip #7: Beware Twitter

Be wise about your use of Twitter, Facebook, blogs, or anything else you post online. Assume that it won’t disappear or leave the Internet–ever. Someone will always be able to find it. How will it affect your online reputation? Will it come back to haunt you? Think twice before hitting “publish.” Also, if your boss is […]