Don’t Talk Like a Lawyer

When the bar association held its next evening program—on direct examination—there was professor Vince Warbler from the law school waiting at the front door when Angus, Judge Standwell and I arrived.

Warbler pulled me aside before I could even walk into the room. “How much are Angus and the judge getting to do these programs?” he said, his eyes open wide.

“Nothing,” I said. “This is pro bono.”

“Well, what about sharing your notes with me?” said Warbler.

“Sorry,” I said, “but maybe you could get reprint permission from the bar association newsletter.”

Warbler actually harrumphed as he stormed out of the building. I just had time to get a cup of coffee and a blueberry scone before Angus started the program.

DON’T TALK LIKE A LAWYER

“Legalese is a poisonous set of verbal habits that we unconsciously turn on or off, depending on where we are and what we’re doing,” said Angus. “It’s the curse of a traditional legal education. And when we’re in court—which seems like the most obvious place to sound like a lawyer—it creates all kinds of problems.

Continue reading the full story online in the January issue.