Quick Bluebook Question Forum

[Geist13]

So all semester my writing teacher tells us that the first word of a case name should never be abbreviated. I got marked off for this a couple of times on my closed memo. Today, as I'm editing my closed memo to use as a writing sample for applications I read this on pg. 94 (R. 10.2.2) of the bluebook: "Always abbreviate any word listed in table T6, even if the word is the first word in a party's name"

So, despite my teachers repeated insistence to the contrary, the first word in a case citation should be abbreviated if it's a T6 word. Is this correct? I want to make sure I'm not missing something.

[Cogburn87]

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[Geist13]

Bring it to your professor's attention if possible. If not, do what your professor thinks is correct. I had a few instances of this on my memos as well. Some professors don't keep up with the changes either because they are too lazy or too obstinate. It's shitty, but so are most legal writing professors.

Not worried about teacher. Worried about pesky clerks who may decide to read the writing sample before handing it over to the judge. Sending the closed memo in with judicial internship applications.

[Cogburn87]

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[LjakW]

I don't recall any rule about the first word of a case, therefore it would be:

Int'l Shoe Co. v. Wash., 326 U.S. 310 (1945).

However, if you are writing the case name as part of a sentence, then you don't abbreviate according to T6 at all:

International Shoe is a seminal case in civil procedure classes.

[ggocat]

So all semester my writing teacher tells us that the first word of a case name should never be abbreviated. I got marked off for this a couple of times on my closed memo. Today, as I'm editing my closed memo to use as a writing sample for applications I read this on pg. 94 (R. 10.2.2) of the bluebook: "Always abbreviate any word listed in table T6, even if the word is the first word in a party's name"

So, despite my teachers repeated insistence to the contrary, the first word in a case citation should be abbreviated if it's a T6 word. Is this correct? I want to make sure I'm not missing something.

Your writing prof is wrong.

And yes, a law clerk would likely notice the error, but it probably wouldn't preclude you from getting an interview.

[jag2L]

I don't recall any rule about the first word of a case, therefore it would be:

Int'l Shoe Co. v. Wash., 326 U.S. 310 (1945).

However, if you are writing the case name as part of a sentence, then you don't abbreviate according to T6 at all:

International Shoe is a seminal case in civil procedure classes.

This is absolutely correct, although you should keep in mind that a small class of words (mostly business designations like the "Co." in "International Shoe Co.") is still abbreviated if the case is part of a sentence.