Bench Report: What Judges Can Learn From Fiction Writers + Political Speech and the Judiciary
Illinois Appellate Court Justice David Ellis, who has authored 18 crime fiction books, talks about how judges can use storytelling techniques to write more accessible judicial opinions.
August 18, 2022 at 04:21 PM
6 minute read
Bench Report
Happy Friday from Avalon here at Law.com's Bench Report. This week, we're taking a look at storytelling. When you think of that word, you might think of fairy tales or your favorite fantasy novel. But Illinois Appellate Court justice–and author of 18 crime fiction books–shared with us why judges should employ storytelling in their opinion writing, and tips for how.
Please reach out to us via [email protected] or [email protected] with any tips or feedback. Follow us on Twitter: @AvalonZoppo and @BradKutner.
Justice David Ellis, an Illinois Appellate Court justice who has written 18 crime fiction novels. (courtesy photo) What Judges Can Learn From Fiction Writers
Good stories grab hold of the reader's attention and have a cast of characters with a neat beginning, middle and end. Last week, my colleague Ross Todd wrote about how trial attorneys can use storytelling effectively, and shared tips for crafting a compelling narrative in the courtroom.
But are there advantages to judges employing storytelling techniques in their opinions?
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