Wednesday, November 14, 2007

California Pro-Life Council v. Randolf (9th Cir. - Nov. 15, 2007)

This isn't the most well-written opinion in the universe. Which is not to say anything about the substance. Just the writing part.

Lots of one- or two-sentence paragraphs. Similarly stilted one-paragraph support for various headings, subheadings, and sub-subheadings. The opinion gets better near the end. But the first two-thirds is a good example of how you can get so bogged down in "organization" that the end product is choppy, disjointed, and simply reads pretty poorly.

Which ain't to say I'm the best writer in the universe. Far from it. But even I know what not to do -- at least on occasion -- when I see it in others.

Like here.