Lifting the Fog of Legalese: Essays on Plain Language [Hardcover]

Joseph Kimble (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 5, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1594602123 | ISBN-13: 978-1594602122

This book is unique. No other American book combines the strong evidence and myth-busting arguments for plain legal language with so much practical advice and so many useful examples. And no other book is more likely to open lawyers' eyes to the emptiness of legalese--the style that has afflicted legal writing for centuries.

Joseph Kimble, a leading expert on plain language, has collected in this one book many of his published essays. They will interest and inform judges, lawyers, law students, legal scholars, and anyone else who engages in legal writing. If writing is the lawyer's most valuable skill, then no lawyer can afford to be without Lifting the Fog of Legalese. It will change the attitude of those who resist plain language and inspire those who have embraced it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . a superb, well-written book in understandable language (plain English) that some lawyers and bureaucrats will wish was never written." -- Arthur Levitt, Former Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

"A collection of enjoyable and valuable essays . . . " -- Perspectives: Teaching Legal Research and Writing

"Add this volume to your shelf of indispensable books. Kimble's suggestions are clear, concise, and specific" -- William Lutz, Professor of English, Rutgers University and author of The New Doublespeak: Why No One Knows What Anyone’s Saying Anymore

"Lifting the Fog of Legalese is a treasure for lawyers who want to write more clearly." -- Bar News Issue, New Hampshire Bar Association

"This book belongs in the library of every lawyer who takes language seriously." -- Richard C. Wydick, University of California at Davis School of Law and author of Plain English for Lawyers

"[Kimble's] incisive essays are enough to make any writer swear off legalese forever." -- --Student Lawyer

"[The] book is timely and important...." -- Justice Michael Kirby (High Court of Australia), Australian Law Journal

Lifting the Fog is a useful reference, particularly for junior attorneys tempted to 'sound like a lawyer.' -- Chicago Bar Association Record

Kimble is a master of the craft. As a result, Lifting the Fog is highly readable, briskly paced, and enjoyable. -- --Trial

About the Author

Joseph Kimble is a professor at Thomas Cooley Law School.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Carolina Academic Press (December 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594602123
• ISBN-13: 978-1594602122
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #542,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, February 8, 2006

By 

A. Timm (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lifting the Fog of Legalese: Essays on Plain Language (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book. Kimble provides practical advice on how to improve legal writing by using plain language rather than legalese.

As a practicing lawyer who gets bogged down in legalese everyday, I hope this book is widely read and that its suggestions are actively implemented. I've already recommended the book to a number of my colleagues, all of whom have liked it as much as I did.

I particularly enjoyed the sections of the book in which Kimble takes high-profile, real-world legalese examples (the impeachment order of President Clinton; a section of the USA Patriot Act) and translates them from legalese into plain language.

Every lawyer and law student will benefit from reading this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Book for Practicing Lawyers, January 24, 2006

By 

S. Presler-Hoefle "Sara" (AZ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lifting the Fog of Legalese: Essays on Plain Language (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent resource for attorneys and staff. It has useful tips for drafting legal documents and is a quick, easy read. This book clearly makes a difference in the way I practice law.

It is a 'must read' for any attorney. I am really glad we purchased it for my law office and recommend it to colleagues whenever I have the opportunity. Kimble hits the nail on the head with this book: legalese is out and plain language is in.

5.0 out of 5 stars The (Legal) Fog Comes on Little Cat Feet, February 27, 2006

By 

Karl Benghauser (Lansing, MI, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lifting the Fog of Legalese: Essays on Plain Language (Hardcover)

Joseph Kimble's book is not only for lawyers - it's just that lawyers need it most of all. This collection of his essays is a superb introduction to the art of plain language - legal or otherwise. The book persuasively and entertainingly explains why plain legal language is important and how to achieve it. Professor Kimble is an enthusiastic advocate for plain legal language and it would be difficult to read this book and not be challenged and inspired to improve one's own writing.