Month: September 2009

New Edition of “Garner’s Modern American Usage”

I noticed that a third edition of Garner’s Modern American Usage has been published. I’ll be purchasing a copy, as GMAU has been the first thing I turn to when looking for guidance on general English usage. Would GMAU be of any use to contract drafters? The language of contracts is limited and stylized—it’s analogous to computer code. But once you’ve … Read More

If You Don’t Feel Challenged, You’re Not Paying Attention

I was pleased to receive the other day the following wry email: You’ve inspired me since your presentation to our firm back in May. I used to be content with my drafting before I met you, but I now live in constant internal turmoil. My correspondent’s state of mind comes as no surprise. To master contract language, first you have … Read More

More on “Relating To” (Wherein Adams Eats Some Crow)

[Update October 18, 2009: This post has been supplanted by this new post. I’ll be deleting this post in the next few days.] [Revised 12:45 p.m. EDT to mention, at the end of this post, a relevant May 2009 blog post.] In my post on the AAA standard arbitration clause, I reiterated my doubts about the relating to part of … Read More

A Reference Set of Definitions?

While at a social event in Saratoga recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Kaplan, senior counsel in McDermott Will & Emery’s Chicago office. Ever the imaginative conversationalist, I turned the topic to—what else?—contract drafting. At some point in our conversation Jerry wondered whether contracts wouldn’t be more efficient if drafters were able to refer to a standard set of … Read More