Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt:... at. first many lawyers in preparing their submissions will be so accustomed to the old way of presenting their cases that they will not brief the pleadings and facts down to the essentials, as they should; but a few experiences will teach them that what once it took them forty pages to say can be said, and said with greater force and accuracy, in ten pages or less. The brief-maker will soon learn to eliminate the trivial and the immaterial; to bring his real points into brief, clear.-cut outline and to let the "pintees" go. The very cost of printing will deter counsel from ranging beyond the record, and from indulging in that reiteration which so characterizes the usual briefs found today in our Appellate Courts. Recently in another State I filed a typewritten brief in the trial court and a printed brief in the Supreme Court. My printed brief was much clearer, much'more concise, better in every way, and yet it did not include half as many words as did my typewritten brief.. Innate pride will force the profession to prepare their printed briefs with care. Lawyers in those States where printed briefs are required preserve their briefs, and periodically bind them. As time passes, the lawyer's collection of his own briefs becomes an important asset to his office. A question is presented to him. He at once remembers that he had that question in the case of S0-and-So against So-and-So. He turns to his bound briefs and is immediately upon track of the law. The requirement of a summary of the pleadings and the evidence is quite important. If the Courtis to decide a case according to the record, the judges should read the entire record--not merely the judge who prepares the opinion, but all the judges--a thing almost...