Pay attention to not only to what you say but also how it looks.

Typography might sound like the kind of thing that only skinny hipsters with thick rimmed glasses would talk about with words like kerning, and en dash, and pica--not a fuzzy critter that lives on rocky slopes--but it is really a useful thing for everybody to be aware of.  If it hurts to look at what your write, no one will pay attention long enough to get your point.  This is a battle in resumes and cover letters as well as legal pleadings and documents.

Fortunately, the internet has come to the rescue in the guise of attorney Matthew Butterick with Typography for Lawyers (also available in dead tree version). I cannot say I agree with everything he says, but then I have been known to wear thick rimmed glasses...

(via Swiss Miss)

Words, speech, and a free press.

There are some words that make public interest lawyers get out of bed in the morning ready to fight:

Note the contrast between:

"Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government."

via the US Supreme Court NY Times v. US 1971

and:

Referring to publishing WikiLeaks releases:  “To me the New York Times has committed at least an act of bad citizenship, but whether they have committed a crime is a matter of discussion for the justice department.” Senator Joe Lieberman 2010

via Daring Fireball