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	<title>Jennifer M. Cooper</title>
	<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com</link>
	<description>Legal Writing From A Practitioner&#039;s Perspective</description>
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		<title>Judges Find Plain-English Legal Writing More Persuasive</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A recent survey of almost 300 judges, including federal trial, federal appellate, state trial, and state appellate judges, reveals that judges overwhelmingly prefer plain-English legal writing to traditional &#8220;legalese&#8221; legal writing. Judges commented that the plain-English version of a writing sample compared to a traditional legalese version of the same writing sample was &#8220;more persuasive because [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/12/05/judges-find-plain-english-legal-writing-more-persuasive/</link>
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		<title>Using Quotations Effectively in Legal Writing</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Beginning legal writers often lack confidence in their own words and instead rely on others to express what the novice cannot.  This reliance on quotations results in bulky and clumsy legal writing.  Unfortunately, experienced legal writers overuse quotations. Readers (judges, other attorneys, your clients) want to know what YOU know and what YOU think, not that you read something and picked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/12/05/using-quotations-effectively-in-legal-writing/</link>
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		<title>Tips for Writing to Generalist Judges</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Like doctors, lawyers are increasingly specializing their practices as the law becomes more intricate and dense.  These former lawyer specialists are now sitting on the bench in general jurisdiction courts, routinely making decisions on matters outside their former specialized practice areas.   These judges regularly rely on the bar to inform them on the relevant law.  But, how are [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/09/22/tips-for-writing-to-generalist-judges/</link>
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		<title>How To Use An Apostrophe &#8211; A Grammar Cartoon</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Grammar and punctuation is SOOOO much easier when the instructions are illustrated! Are you stymied when deciding whether to include the apostrophe? Do you find yourself staring at the word &#8220;its&#8221; and wondering &#8211; &#8220;wait, does it need an apostrophe between the t and s or not?&#8221; The Oatmeal has you covered. Now, you can [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/09/21/how-to-use-an-apostrophe-a-grammar-cartoon/</link>
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		<title>Tips From the Bench: Better Motions to Compel</title>
		<description><![CDATA[                    &#8220;Even at their best, motions to compel are usually one of the least favorite parts of the job. They are tedious and very fact intensive.&#8221; The Honorable Randy Wilson, a District Court judge in Harris County, Texas, and a seasoned trial lawyer, wrote the above sentiment in &#8221;The Motion to Compel.&#8221;  Judge Wilson describes &#8220;bad&#8221; and &#8220;good&#8221; motions to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/08/24/tips-from-the-bench-better-motions-to-compel/</link>
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		<title>What Lawyers and Judges Can Learn About Writing From Great Writers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[  In &#8220;What Great Writers Can Teach Lawyers and Judges: Wisdom from Plato to Mark Twain to Stephen King (Part I),&#8221; Douglas E. Abrams discusses what legal writers can take away from good writers. Part I examines master non-lawyer writers on precision and conciseness. According to Abrams, unlike non-lawyer writers, legal writers face a &#8220;hostile [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/08/22/what-lawyers-and-judges-can-learn-about-writing-from-great-writers/</link>
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		<title>Briefs &amp; Motions + Embedded Photos = Clear, Effective, and Persuasive</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Photographs are not just for Exhibit A and Exhibit B anymore. More state and federal practitioners are now including full-color embedded photographs in their motions and briefs.  Here is an example of embedded photographs in a Motion for Default and Dismissal from the United States District Court, District of Nevada. Why paint a picture with words [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/08/22/briefs_and_motions_plus_embedded_photos/</link>
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		<title>Writing to Persuade: Helpful tips from the &#8220;Deciders&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Bryan Pattison&#8217;s article, Writing to Persuade, published recently in the Utah Bar Journal describes the daily life of a litigator so accurately, that I feel compelled to include it verbatim.  From Writing to Persuade: “What kind of lawyer are you?” The answer, of course, is easy: “I’m a litigator,” you respond. As you bask in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/08/22/writing-to-persuade-helpful-tips-from-deciders/</link>
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		<title>How to Write Bad Briefs</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Dirty Dozen: 12 Ways to Write a Really Bad Brief was recently featured in the June 2011 issue of the ABA Journal.  This article is an oldie, but a goodie.  Jim McElhaney examines everyday bad writing habits and how some attorneys have &#8221;developed them into an art form of ineffectiveness.&#8221; Indeed. While these bad habits seem obvious (and obviously bad), [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/08/04/how-to-write-bad-briefs/</link>
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		<title>Core Grammar For Lawyers: Not Just For Law Students!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Just as well-made cars need belts checked and bolts tightened, every practicing lawyer&#8217;s use of grammar, punctuation, and usage needs a periodic tune-up &#8211; even if it&#8217;s only preventative maintenance!  Core Grammar For Lawyers is just the ticket.  Core Grammar For Lawyers was recently launched and is an &#8220;online, self-directed learning tool designed to help law [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.jennifermcooper.com/2011/06/30/core-grammar-for-lawyers-not-just-for-law-students/</link>
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