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Maryland Bar Bulletin
Publications : Bar
Bulletin : Editorial Guidelines
BAR BULLETIN STYLE GUIDELINES
The Bar Bulletin is a monthly
twenty page newsletter published by the Maryland State Bar Association
for its membership. Its focus is on MSBA activities, Board of Governor
policies and decisions, legislation affecting Maryland attorneys, technology,
as well as subjects affecting lawyers and the legal profession. Each month
the Bulletin focuses on a topical theme.
- All articles should be between 725 to 800 words
in length.
- Pieces may be submitted in a Microsoft Word document by email to bnichols@msba.org, or by USPS to Bryan Nichols, editor, MSBA, 520 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
- Please do not include charts or graphs within
any of the articles.
- The Bar Bulletin does not publish or reproduce
speeches.
- Do not include any footnotes, end notes, etc
or any legal citations within the articles.
- Articles should focus on a theme with a broad
overview of the subject. The Bar Bulletin is mailed to approximately 23,000 members.
- Articles may be edited for content and length.
If, significant editing is required that may affect the substance of the
article, the author will be notified.
- Occasionally, submissions may not necessarily
appear in the issue requested due to space constraints. MSBA activities
take precedence over other subject matter.
- Photos of the author are not published with
the article.
- Please note that due to Bar Bulletin administrative
policy, we cannot print your business or service's address, telephone number,
e-mail address or Internet site at the end of any article. However, the Bar
Bulletin may list your name as follows: Mr./Ms.___ is a partner
with the law firm of Smith & Smith in its Baltimore office. He/she
concentrates their practice in family law.
- Deadline: The Bar
Bulletin is distributed on the 15th of every month. Articles for
the following issue must be submitted by
the 20th.
2011 Bar Bulletin Themes
SEPTEMBER
Taxation
Deadline: Friday, August 19, 2011 |
OCTOBER
Veterans & Military Law
Deadline: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 |
NOVEMBER
Planning for Retirement
Deadline: Thursday, October 20, 2011 |
DECEMBER
Legislative Preview
Deadline: Monday, November 21, 2011 |
2012 Bar Bulletin Themes
JANUARY
Health Law
Deadline: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 |
FEBRUARY
Labor & Employment Law
Deadline: Friday, January 20, 2012 |
MARCH
Intellectual Property
Deadline: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
|
APRIL
Construction Law
Deadline: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 |
MAY
Animal Law
Deadline: Friday, April 20, 2012 |
JUNE
Environmental Law
Deadline: Monday, May 21, 2012 |
JULY
MSBA Annual Meeting Coverage
Deadline: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 |
AUGUST
Immigration Law
Deadline: Friday, July 20, 2012 |
SEPTEMBER
Estate & Trust Law
Deadline: Monday, August 20, 2012 |
OCTOBER
Family & Juvenile Law
Deadline: Thursday, September 20, 2012 |
NOVEMBER
Real Property, Planning & Zoning
Deadline: Friday, October 19, 2012 |
DECEMBER
MSBA Legislative Preview
Deadline: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 |
Please call Bryan Nichols, editor, about any of these
issues, or if you would like to write about something not listed above, at
(410) 685-7878 or (800) 492-1964 ext. 3026. Submissions are welcome throughout
the year.
Writing and Editing Guidelines
for the Bar Bulletin
The Bar Bulletin favors a plain style of expository
writing and urges its authors to write as simply and informally as they
can. This does not mean that the publication wants frivolous or cute writing,
but that it strives to publish clear and readable material.
- Have a clear understanding of what you want to say before
you start writing
- Write it yourself; don't assign it to a subordinate
who must guess at what someone else wishes to express.
- Try to catch the reader's attention, create interest
and make your main point in the opening sentences.
- Write in plain English. Use short words, strong verbs
and simple sentences. Avoid jargon and foreign phrases.
- Be concrete and specific, not abstract and legalistic.
- Write in the active voice. Avoid the passive voice and
the conditional ("I would argue") mood.
- Avoid compound or complex sentences. Break them into
smaller bites.
- Don't talk down to readers.
- Avoid the outline form
- Refrain from the use of first-person narrative (such
as
"I" or "we").
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