101 Things I Learned® in Law School

The U.S. Constitution grants local sovereignty to over 300 American Indian reservations. They

In legal writing, almost every sentence, whether discussing law or fact, should be followed by a reference to a source. Otherwise, the decision maker is left to assume a statement is merely what the attorney believes, but cannot prove, is true.

If one occasionally is able to quickly understand a complex matter, he or she is far more likely to quickly misunderstand it.

Establishing a causal consequence: As a result, Because, Consequently, It follows, Since, Then, Therefore, Thus

Writing effectively isn’t recording the argument one wishes to make; it is a process of discovering what one’s argument needs to be. Through writing, thinking, researching, rewriting, rethinking, and rewriting again, an argument is discovered and clarified.

You’re allowed to exaggerate how good something is in an effort to make a sale, as long as you are expressing an opinion and not misrepresenting a fact.

Statements made in the active voice indicate direct connections and are usually more effective for argument. Passive voice suggests incidental connections, and tends to sound weaker and less convincing.

The law limits how long after an injury has occurred, or has been discovered to have occurred, that a claim or charge can be brought.

Felony: a serious crime, usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Includes arson, assault, battery, burglary, grand larceny, grand theft, multiple-offense DUI, murder, rape, robbery, serious drug offenses, unauthorized possession of a deadly weapon, and vandalism of federal property.