By Correy Stephenson
The Daily Record Newswire
Lawyers seeking to optimize their work by making use of typography can look to the recently released "Typography for Lawyers" as a guide.
Matthew Butterick, a civil litigator in California with a visual arts background and experience as a font designer, argues that typography matters because it can help hold readers' attention. An attorney making an oral argument wouldn't dress in jeans and sneakers and speak in a monotone, he analogizes; it's not just the words, it is the presentation as well.
Still don't believe that typography matters? Think back to the 2000 presidential election and the Palm Beach County, Fla. butterfly ballot.
"Typography has consequences," Butterick argues.
Typography isn't a math problem with just one answer, Butterick explains, but offers many solutions that are equally good. Much of the confusion is a result of standards or habits created in the age of typewriters that haven't translated to computers. He offers both basic and advanced rules for type composition, text formatting and page layout, and includes shortcuts for Word, Macs and HTML.
Some of the tips are a flashback to elementary school grammar and punctuation: Butterick teaches the difference between colons and semi-colons, advises lawyers to use one space between sentences, and argues that while question marks are underused, more than one exclamation point should never be used in a row.
Capitalizing is another abused practice by attorneys, according to Butterick, particularly in contracts. Capitalizing makes text harder to read, and is made worse by the use of bold fonts. When crafting a document, lawyers should choose between bold or italic to emphasize certain points, Butterick says, and whatever the choice, use it as sparingly as possible, as both wear down "readers' retinas and patience." Underlining? Another holdover from the typewriter age which should not be used.
Butterick suggests experimenting with point size and using new fonts, and the book includes 63 different font samples with commentary on the pros and cons of each choice.
It also discusses page layout, emphasizing one key point: don't fear white space.
Butterick recommends turning off superscripts (1st, 3rd, etc.) and trying tiered numbers (1 followed by 1.1 and 1.2, with subsets like 1.21 and 1.22) instead of hierarchical headings (as Roman numerals can be hard to track). Lawyers should also use kerning, which is the adjustment of specific pairs of letters to improve spacing and fit, Butterick says.
Throughout the book, Butterick provides specific examples of good and bad typography, including several sample legal documents, such as motions and memos with "before" and "after" typography to demonstrate his points. He also includes appendices on how to make a PDF, suggestions for printers and paper choices and tips on how to interpret court rules using the information in the book.
Butterick's book is a quick, fascinating read that offers a history lesson, an explanation of the importance of typography and a practical guide for lawyers seeking to create more polished documents.
For more information, or to order the book, go to: http://www.typographyforlawyers.com/
Published: Fri, Mar 4, 2011
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