Learn many concrete tips for bias-free writing and active proofreading.
In this presentation, we will discuss racial, gender, class, and identity bias in legal analysis and writing, including in our own analysis and writing, so we can gain skills to be more inclusive and culturally competent when crafting legal documents. First, we will examine how privilege and traditional legal writing styles foster bias and exclusion. Then, we’ll analyze scholarship and litigation showing techniques to remove bias in legal analysis and legal documents. Finally, we’ll review expressways to make positive changes by examining large and small-scale writing solutions.
Agenda
Intro to Implicit Bias and Privilege
- Race, Gender, Identity
- Ableism
- Bias, Intersectionality, and the Matrix Concept From Critical Legal Studies
Noticing Racial Bias in Case Law and Our Legal Writing
- Mccurry V. Kenco Logistics
- Adoptive Couple V. Baby Girl
- Your Own Briefs and Articles
Noticing Gender and Identity Bias in Law and Legal Writing
- The Reasonable Man
- Michael H. V. Gerald D. and Statutes
- Bostock/Harris Funeral Homes and Examples to Emulate
Large-Scale Solutions to Avoid Bias in Our Writing
- Gaining Cultural Competency With Government and Nonprofit Sources
- Using George Orwell’s Rules for Legal Writing
- Letting Generative AI Help
Small-Scale Solutions to Avoid Bias in Our Writing
- Eliminating Passive Voice
- Limiting and Updating Pronouns
- Using Word Processors and Generative AI Proofing Tools
Speakers
Stephanie Williams,
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law- Associate Professor of Legal Research and Writing, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
- Teach required and elective courses on legal writing and bias; two-time 1L Professor of the Year
- Former certified appellate specialist in California and law clerk for Judge Fernandez of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Regular speaker and blogger on issues in bias and effective legal writing
- Co-author of a forthcoming book on Legal Argumentation from CALI
- Active member of the California and Illinois bars
- B.S., Education and Policy, Northwestern University; J.D. cum laude, Loyola Chicago School of Law
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is designed for attorneys. Other legal professionals may also benefit from attending.
