Professors’ new book unveils the anatomy of legal writing
A groundbreaking new book by Stetson professors Catherine J. Cameron and Lance N. Long explores The Science Behind the Art of Legal Writing.
Professor Catherine Cameron.
The newly released book uses empirical research to show what good legal writing is and why it works. Carolina Academic Press published the book as a resource for law students and legal professionals. A review of the book was published in the Law Library Journal.
“Neither of us knew of a book that explained why our legal writing students should write the way we teach them to write,” said Professor Cameron. “This is the first legal writing text that takes a scientific approach to that question. We hope this book will give law students and practitioners a better understanding of the reasons behind legal writing conventions so that they can make better informed decisions about their writing.”
Professor Cameron teaches and researches in the areas of legal writing and media law. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism, a master’s degree in mass communications, and a law degree from the University of Florida. Professor Cameron worked for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a non-profit organization that specializes in media law issues in Washington, D.C., where she filed amicus briefs in high-profile cases affecting the media, including two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. News media frequently quote her expertise on First Amendment issues.
Professor Long ‘s scholarship focuses on empirical analyses of language patterns in appellate briefs and opinions. He recently received national media attention for his most recent co-authored article, “When Justices (Subconsciously) Attack: The Theory of Argumentative Threat and the Supreme Court,” which analyzes differences between the language used by Supreme Court justices in majority and dissenting opinions. Professor Long earned his law degree from Brigham Young University.
Professor Lance Long.
Stetson consistently ranks among the top legal writing programs in the country and is home to the Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication. The institute’s training programs provide instruction to lawyers, judges, and other professionals to improve their legal communication skills.
Stetson hosted a Legal Writing Academy on Jan. 30 at the Tampa Law Center on Persuasive Legal Writing: What Every Lawyer Should Know.
Post date: Jan. 30, 2015
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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