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17 Nova L. Rev. 991 (1992-1993)

handle is hein.journals/novalr17 and id is 1023 raw text is: How to Win Friends and Impress Clients With Latin Paul Morris* As a specialist in appeals, I know that there is good legalese and bad legalese. Good legalese is used by appellate lawyers and appellate judges. Bad legalese is used by everyone else. Here is an example of bad legalese: The plaintiffs sued the defendants. Now, contrast that with this example of good legalese: Sub judice, the plaintiff's, etc, et alia, brought the qui tam cause of action, vel non, e.g., per diem veni vidi vici. The difference should be obvious. The sentence with the good legalese has italicized words. Most attorneys are unfamiliar with such good legalese either because: (a) they are not appellate judges or appellate lawyers or (b) they have never read appellate decisions. Haven't you ever wondered why some litigants hire your opposition? If you had the chance to ask them you would be sur- prised to know how many would say: You have a great reputation, but when I learned how many more italicized words were being used by the competition, the choice was obvious. This article will give you the powerful legal vocabulary needed to impress clients. These words and phrases will also make you more persuasive in the eyes of trial judges who will discern from your vocabulary that you have the means for obtaining reversals from the appellate courts. Be sure to notice how many of these words look good in italics no matter how inappropriate. Pendente lite. A hanging ornament with fewer calories. Sui generis: Those heaping portions served at Chinese restaurants. Sub silentio: Literally quiet submarine. Use this term when analogizing to Tom Clancy or Jules Vernes books. Et al: This is obvious. For example: When Joe and Al went shark fishing and Al fell overboard, the shark et al. Writ of coram nobis: Disposing of a very expensive watch, as in I went broke so I got writ of my coram nobis. * For a great summary of Paul Morris' entire existence, see supra p. 730.

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