Legal Practice – Page 36 – Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog

Guide to Public Speaking for Girl Lawyers

Post author:Lisa A. Mazzie
Post published:November 6, 2013
Post category:Feminism Legal Practice Public

Yes, I wrote “girl” in that headline. And for a very specific reason. Recently, it’s hit the web that global law firm Clifford Chance has provided its female lawyers in its U.S. offices with a guide to public speaking. And while some (nay, even most) of the tips are perfectly reasonable, there are others that smack of such sexism to the extent that one might believe that Clifford Chance thinks of its female lawyers as girls. To wit, one of the points in the guide: “Don’t giggle.” Another: “Pretend you’re in moot court, not the high school cafeteria” (on “‘Like’ You’ve got to Lose ‘Um’ and ‘Uh,’ ‘You Know,’ ‘OK,’ and ‘Like’).

Like, seriously?

On both points, they are equally applicable to male lawyers. (Yes, men do giggle, but the use of that word here suggests something very female, very childish, and very undesirable.) Yet, it was only Clifford Chance’s female lawyers who received this five-page memo. It’s curious to me why this is so. Does the firm believe that there are separate rules for men and women? Does it believe that women need the extra help? Or is it attempting to support its female lawyers? If it is attempting to support its female lawyers, I applaud its desire, but criticize its way of doing so.

Marquette Law School to host LWI One-Day Legal Writing Workshop in December

Post author:Lisa A. Mazzie
Post published:October 31, 2013
Post category:Legal Practice Legal Research Legal Writing Marquette Law School Public

Each December, the national Legal Writing Institute (LWI) sponsors one-day legal writing workshops around the country. We are pleased to announce that one of this year’s workshops will be held at Marquette University Law School on Friday, December 6, 2013. The workshops are a great time for legal writing colleagues to come together and share teaching ideas.

The theme for Marquette’s workshop is Preparing Practice-Ready Students. Among the presentations scheduled are ones on what “practice-ready” means; on creating interactive materials for class; and on the ways that legal writing professors are connecting their students to practicing attorneys, both in and out of the classroom. We think we have a great program lined up. If you want to view the whole program or are interested in registering for the conference, see here.

New “Marquette Lawyer” Magazine Offers Insights from Paul Clement

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:October 13, 2013
Post category:Education & Law Federal Law & Legal System Federalism Health Care Legal Practice Marquette Law School Public Speakers at Marquette U.S. Supreme Court

Paul Clement has argued some 70 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was solicitor general of the United States and now, in private practice, continues to present arguments in some of the most important cases of our time.

In the cover story in the new “Marquette Lawyer” magazine, Clement discusses some of the cases he’s been involved in, particularly the momentous Affordable Care Act decision of 2012 and several national security cases. He talks about what it is like to make an argument before the Court and especially what’s needed to prepare for an argument.

Clement’s thoughts were offered during his visit to Marquette Law School on March 4, 2013, when he delivered the annual E. Harold Hallows Lecture and held a special “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” event for law students. (Video of the lecture is available here and of the “On the Issues” here.)

Also in the new issue, an article describes the complex legacy of a class action lawsuit challenging how Milwaukee Public Schools deals with students with special education needs. Even as plaintiffs lost the case in court, they succeeded in influencing changes that they favored.

Professor Phoebe Williams is featured in a profile story in the magazine, and the success of the Law School’s faculty blog is marked with a compilation of pieces written by Professor Daniel D. Blinka; Mike Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy; and State Public Defender Kelli S. Thompson, L’96 .