Friday, October 9, 2015

The Essential Book to Have When You Want to Use the Correct Citation Style in California

If you read ten different legal briefs from ten different lawyers in California you will likely find ten different ways that they reference the material being cited in the briefs. But they can’t all be correct.

I wrote trial briefs for about ten years before I even heard of the California Style Manual, Fourth Edition, by Edward J.W. Jessen. This book  provides the correct citation style to use when writing to a California court.  Although it may not matter if you are writing to a trial court if you use the correct citation style, if you want a brief to be taken seriously in the appellate courts, this book is essential. 

The California Style Manual contains a lot of useful information, too. Most lawyers know how to cite a case, but many do not know many of the stylistic rules that are preferred in California, like proper capitalization of the names of courts, how to address Judicial officers in a brief, how to deal with omissions when quoted material is being used, etc. This book provides the answers to these issues and many others. Take your writing to a new  professional level and get this book. 

Disclosure: If you click on the link below, you will be directed to Amazon, and if you fill your cart with items and buy them today, we will receive a small commission, 3-4 percent, that will not increase your purchase price but will allow us to bring more book tips to you.  Thank you.  I purchased these products with my own dollars. The review is NOT in exchange for a free product. 



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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Three Books for Lawyers Who Want to Start a Law Firm

These three  books can help lawyers prepare to start a law practice or improve the one they already have.

(1)  Solo by Choice, Second Edition: How to Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be by
Carolyn Elefant.

This is an up-to-date guide on the actions you should take to start your own law practice.  This book is highly recommended.


(2)  How to Start & Build a Law Practice: (Career Services/American Bar Association) by Jay G. Foonburg.

This book is a little out of date, but it has an amazing amount of information and can serve as a good reference book for lawyers who want to get started in solo practice.

(3)  The Practice: Brutal Truths About Lawyers and Lawyering by  Brian Tannebaum

This book focuses on everything that you wish they had taught you in law school but was not a part of the curriculum, like law practice management, getting clients, etc.  This book has something to offer to even seasoned practitioners now that the legal landscape is changing so fast.  It is highly recommended.


These are the books that I think are useful but I am certain others have their own favorites.  If you do, please share it in the comments section below.  Thank you.

Disclosure: If you click on the Amazon link below, you will be directed to the Amazon website.  We may  receive a small commission that does not increase the amount you pay. We appreciate your support.  These reviews are not in exchange for a free product. Thank you.