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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.

• Advertising: The Bar Bulletin has both display and classified advertising opportunities, please contact Network Media Partners at (410) 584-1959 or email msba@networkmediapartners.com.

2013 Bar Bulletin Themes

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").