What can attorneys and judges learn from Bob Dylan? Probably more than you would think.
Pictured: Professor Tracy Norton presenting at the 2023 Joint Louisiana Judicial College/Louisiana State Bar Association Summer School.
Using “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll,” LSU Law Professor Tracy Norton explained how songwriters rely on narrative transportation so listeners can take an active role in conceptualizing the story during her presentation at the 2023 Joint Louisiana Judicial College/Louisiana State Bar Association Summer School.
“These same techniques can be used to write statements of facts in judicial opinions and in briefs or pleadings,” Norton said to a room full of attorneys and judges.
She was just one of LSU Law’s league of legal writing professors presenting at the LSBA conference in Sandestin, Florida. Professor Marlene Krousel and Professor Heidi Thompson also tied music to their legal writing sessions, using popular songs to teach attorneys and judges alike how to refine their writing skills.
“There are some people who won’t remember what you say but they will remember what you sing,” said Krousel.
However, most students and legal professionals often have difficulty grasping the nuances of legal writing from just one course or presentation.
“There’s so many moving parts and the blanket rules are full of exceptions,” said Thompson as she explained why judges and attorneys need to continue their writing education. “It takes discernment.”
Their ability to bring innovation to legal writing has created a demand for LSU Law’s professors to take their show on the road.
The legal writing team first took their lessons beyond the classroom in 2018 when the Paul M. Hebert Law Center cosponsored the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Bar Association’s Conference in New Orleans. After their successful presentations at BAFFC, the state bar association requested the professors to present at their conference in 2019 and they have been invited back ever since.
Judge Jude G. Gravois, class of 1978 graduate and regular attendant of the presentations, learns so much from LSU Law’s professors that he repeatedly invites them to present for the judicial staff at the United States 1st Circuit and 5th Circuit Courts of Appeal who are unable attend the conference.
Pictured: Professor Marlene Krousel presenting at the 2023 Joint Louisiana Judicial College/Louisiana State Bar Association Summer School.
The demand for more legal writing instruction comes, in part, from attorneys and judges who missed out on the training when they attended law school. Even those well-versed in legal writing return to learn the latest change in the rules or the newest technique LSU Law’s professors.
The legal writing program at the Law Center has continued to evolve since its 30-year inception to remain on the cutting edge of grammar and writing and produce “practice-ready” graduates. Rising third-year LSU Law student Joseph Kaiser brought home the grand prize at the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial & Insurance Practice — Admiralty and Maritime Law Writing Competition.
“I feel so fortunate and excited to receive this award, it means so much to be recognized for everything I put into this paper,” said Kaiser who submitted a paper that addressed a recent development in admiralty and maritime law. He will present his work at Gard Inc.’s North American office in New York City, New York in August.
“It’s been fantastic the way it’s grown and developed,” said Krousel. “It’s been tremendously affirming that the bench and bar have been craving the information that we impart and find it very useful and valuable.”
