Who's the Shakespeare of legal writing? Forum

[khaosan17]

Are there any judges/lawyers whose legal writing clearly stands out from the rest?
Who would law professors/lawyers single out as being some of the best writers of legal opinions?
I'm a rising 1L who's interested in reading some of the best written legal opinions of all time.

I've heard the name Oliver Holmes thrown around a lot. Would you say he's one of the best?

Thank you in advance!

[dixiecup]

omg

[uncle_rico]

As much as I want this to be a flame, I feel like it’s sadly not

[SFSpartan]

I really hope this is a flame. If it's not, go enjoy what's left of your summer and put this out of your mind, OP.

[khaosan17]

Not a flame.

I just wanted to read some well-written opinioms from the best.

[khaosan17]

I really hope this is a flame. If it's not, go enjoy what's left of your summer and put this out of your mind, OP.

Thanks for your advice. I did just that for the past 3 months and I am now eager to get my brain functioning again.

I'm not a gunner -- just an average guy with an average intellect who wishes to know what the "gold standard" of legal writing is before school starts in a couple weeks!

Besides Judge Holmes, if anyone else can recommend some of the best writers of legal opinions in Ameircan legal history, it would be much appreciated. Thanks

[SFSpartan]

If you insist, some excellent cases to read are: Pennoyer v. Neff, R. v. Dudley and Stephens, Frigaliment Importing Co. v. BNS, Pierson v. Post, Lochner v. New York, and Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins. Have fun!

[mec215]

Judge Learned Hand, Judge Richard Posner

But you'll read plenty of both in your classes - enjoy your summer!

[White Dwarf]

If you absolutely must (and you don't), read something by Brian Garner. It will be much more useful than trying to mimic someone else's writing style.

[dabigchina]

Old school professors like Cardozo's style. I personally can't make heads or tails of it.

[khaosan17]

If you insist, some excellent cases to read are: Pennoyer v. Neff, R. v. Dudley and Stephens, Frigaliment Importing Co. v. BNS, Pierson v. Post, Lochner v. New York, and Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins. Have fun!

Thank you SFSpartan!

I'll Google them and read them!

[khaosan17]

If you absolutely must (and you don't), read something by Brian Garner. It will be much more useful than trying to mimic someone else's writing style.

Thank you Dwarf! I see that he's written many "how to" books -- reminds me of E.B. White ("Elements of Style").
Will check it out on Amazon!

[Toadvine]

I'm going to echo everyone else's sentiment--that you don't need to do this and you will hate yourself for asking this question later--but John Marshall is my favorite. That said, you'll get your fill in Con Law. If you want to exercise your brain, read a novel.

[Kafka Esquire]

shakespeare is a complex character. what aspect of his writing are you looking for?

[Kafka Esquire]

also plz ignore anyone and everyone who tells you what to do with you summer. do what you want. if you're naturally interested in anything remotely related to law school, dig in. be happy. (e.g., if you think reading E&Es is going to make you happy, read E&Es.)

[Calbears123]

We had a legal writing workshop at my firm and the presenter swore Justice Roberts and Kagan are mistake free and some of the best legal writers.

[BulletTooth]

Reading this book is probably a far better use of your time than just finding random opinions to read: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/261 ... oint-taken.

It has examples of good judicial writing from a variety of judges, and, more importantly, the author tells you what makes for good judicial writing. Off of the top of my head, the author has examples from Roberts, Kagan, Posner, Kozinski, and some of the other usual suspects.

[estefanchanning]

Cardozo

[Calbears123]

Reading this book is probably a far better use of your time than just finding random opinions to read: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/261 ... oint-taken.

It has examples of good judicial writing from a variety of judges, and, more importantly, the author tells you what makes for good judicial writing. Off of the top of my head, the author has examples from Roberts, Kagan, Posner, Kozinski, and some of the other usual suspects.

Lol that’s the guy who gave a presentation at my firm...actually it was pretty good.

[paradiselost9]

Are there any judges/lawyers whose legal writing clearly stands out from the rest?
Who would law professors/lawyers single out as being some of the best writers of legal opinions?
I'm a rising 1L who's interested in reading some of the best written legal opinions of all time.

I've heard the name Oliver Holmes thrown around a lot. Would you say he's one of the best?

Thank you in advance!

as a lit student who is way too touchy i take issue with your glib assumptions about shakespeare