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Bareheaded and Barefaced Counsel: Courts React to Unprofessionalism in Lawyers' Papers

Judith D. Fischer, 1789

Abstract

This article analyzes hundreds of cases involving unprofessionalism in legal writing. Lawyers’ errors included poor research, misrepresentation of facts, poor organization, wordiness, typographical errors, untimely filings, breach of court rules, and grammar, spelling, punctuation, and citation errors. Consequences for the lawyers included disbarment, suspension from practice, monetary sanctions, dismissal of cases, and judges’ reprimands.

Suggested Citation

Judith D. Fischer. "Bareheaded and Barefaced Counsel: Courts React to Unprofessionalism in Lawyers' Papers" Suffolk University Law Review 31 (1997): 1.