The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

"Legal writing is a mess", says the author, and quotes from the leaders of the plain language for lawyers movement. From her "Funeral for Legalese" through her "Editing Checklist", Carol Ann Wilson convinces her readers that lawyers should rid their writing of legalese and that lawyers' assistants can help. "The LA who can draft pleadings is valuable to the lawyer and to the legal profession". And those pleadings should be "concise, powerful, and communicative".

Pleadings Without Tears has become established as one of the most successful books on practical legal drafting in the context of litigation. This new eighth edition is fully updated to take account of Civil Procedure Rule (CPR) changes since the last edition. The book takes a practical and insightful look at the subject of legal drafting, enabling the reader to become more confident in approaching this often unnecessarily daunting subject. It focuses on core skills and fundamental rules while clearly addressing each stage of the process and goes beyond a straightforward setting out of the precedents and authorities relevant to statements of case. It gives clear examples of how to set out relevant matters with clarity and precision and encourages the reader to give full consideration to concise and clear identification of the subject matter of the action, the issues of the case and the parties' respective positions in respect to those issues. With a wealth of practical examples and anecdotes - and illustrated throughout with cartoons - the light and entertaining style, combined with detailed analysis and explanation, enables the reader to easily acquire a good understanding of drafting.

Pleading Your Case offers an insightful, humorous and practical approach to pleadings. Veteran litigator Janet S. Kole walks you through the steps of drafting a complaint or response and provides helpful tips and strategies to make your pleadings more effective. This book is your first step to crafting a complaint or response that effectively tells your client's story.

A blistering critique of America’s assembly-line approach to criminal justice and the shameful practice at its core: the plea bargain Most Americans believe that the jury trial is the backbone of our criminal justice system. But in fact, the vast majority of cases never make it to trial: almost all criminal convictions are the result of a plea bargain, a deal made entirely out of the public eye. Law professor and civil rights lawyer Dan Canon argues that plea bargaining may swiftly dispose of cases, but it also fuels an unjust system. This practice produces a massive underclass of people who are restricted from voting, working, and otherwise participating in society. And while innocent people plead guilty to crimes they did not commit in exchange for lesser sentences, the truly guilty can get away with murder. With heart-wrenching stories, fierce urgency, and an insider’s perspective, Pleading Out exposes the ugly truth about what’s wrong with America’s criminal justice system today—and offers a prescription for meaningful change.