Author Index Justice Michael B. Hyman

Bit by the Grammar Bug?

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
February
2024
Column
, Page 46
Remedies for 12 common grammar infirmities.

Bene Vale Dicere Latine

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
November
2023
Column
, Page 44
Perhaps it’s time to bury Latin phrases for good, at least in public.

Chat Not

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
August
2023
Column
, Page 46
AI chatbots and legal writing.

When Not to Bypass Passive Voice

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
May
2023
Column
, Page 44
The passive tense is not always an abomination.

Contracts: Avoiding Drafting Pitfalls

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
February
2023
Column
, Page 48
Good contracts should be in plain English and clear.

A Few Notions on Drafting Motions

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
November
2022
Column
, Page 46
Five tips for writing a motion designed to persuade a judge, who may only read it once.

Thoughts on Credibility

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
August
2022
Column
, Page 42
How your legal writing affects your credibility and reputation.
1 comment (Most recent August 2, 2022)

Some Facts About Writing the Facts

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
May
2022
Column
, Page 44
When writing, get the facts right.

Notes About Quotes

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
March
2022
Column
, Page 46
Use quotations to serve your writing, not the other way around.

Kleiser’s Rules for Legal Advocacy

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
December
2021
Column
, Page 40
A 110-year-old book on advocating and winning still speaks to attorneys today.

Proofreading Pointers

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
September
2021
Column
, Page 44
Tips and a checklist for proofreaders. Plus, can you spot the intentional typos in this column?

Revising: An Exquisite Pleasure of Writing

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
June
2021
Column
, Page 40
A thorough checklist for revising thoroughly.

First Drafts

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
March
2021
Column
, Page 46
Get them done. Give them room to breathe. Then, edit away after a fresh look.

Inciteful Citations

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
December
2020
Column
, Page 40
Getting serious about the authorities you use in your legal writing.

Surefire Sapphires

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
September
2020
Column
, Page 48
Writing wisdom from the late William Safire.

Write for the Target Reader

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
June
2020
Column
, Page 42
Writing for one can help even when you’re writing for many.

The Virtuous Circle

By Justice Michael B. Hyman & Judge Martha A. Mills (ret.)
April
2020
Article
, Page 38
Have you considered adding restorative-justice techniques to your dispute-resolution tool kit?

Fictional Hymanizations

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
March
2020
Column
, Page 50
Justice Hyman partakes in inspirational embellishment for the greater good.

Women Shouldn’t Pay Taxes and Can’t Commit Crimes?

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
December
2019
Column
, Page 48
Susan B. Anthony was right, of course. The words we choose matter.

Words of Wisdom on Writing

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
September
2019
Column
, Page 45
Gems from the files of Justice Hyman.

75 Ways to Make Your Writing Ineffective

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
June
2019
Column
, Page 44
If you want to write well, don't do anything listed in this column.
1 comment (Most recent May 23, 2019)

Hemingway’s Way

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
March
2019
Column
, Page 46
We can learn much from Hemingway's sparse, crisp prose, which did not come naturally to him either.

Comma-On

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
December
2018
Column
, Page 46
A tribute to the importance and power of the Oxford comma.

Go Easy on the Legalese

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
September
2018
Column
, Page 44
Precise and substantive legal prose does not require Latin or antiquated words. Practice eliminating them from your writing.
2 comments (Most recent September 8, 2018)

The Folly of Overemphasizing Emphasis

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
June
2018
Column
, Page 44
A judge quashes all that is bolded, underlined, and ALL CAPPED.

Down with Footnotes

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
March
2018
Column
, Page 52
Any point worth making belongs in the text, not a footnote.

Reining in Implicit Bias

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
July
2017
Article
, Page 26
Implicit bias poses a constant challenge to lawyers and judges. Nothing will eliminate it, but we can reduce its influence.
1 comment (Most recent July 9, 2017)

Implicit Bias in the Courts

By Justice Michael B. Hyman
January
2014
Article
, Page 40
Implicit bias and stereotypes can affect the fairness of legal proceedings. It's important for lawyers and judges to examine unconscious attitudes and their hidden dangers.

Proposed Rule 225: Does Illinois Need a New Class-Action Rule?

By Justice Michael B. Hyman, Carol V. Gilden, Melinda J. Morales, Adam J. Levitt, Michael A. Pope, & Steven F. Pflaum
April
2005
Article
, Page 202
Proponents say Rule 225 would stop class-action abuse; Opponents say it isn't needed.  

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