A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting, Fourth Edition

by Kenneth A. Adams

With A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting, Kenneth A. Adams has created a uniquely in-depth survey of the building blocks of contract language. First published in 2004, it offers those who draft, review, negotiate, or interpret contracts an alternative to the dysfunction of traditional contract language and the inertia and flawed conventional wisdom that perpetuate it. This manual has become a vital resource throughout the legal profession, in the United States and internationally. This updated edition contains almost one hundred pages of new material addressing many topics, making it even more authoritative and essential. This manual's focus remains how to express contract terms in prose that is free of the archaisms, redundancies, ambiguities, and other problems that afflict traditional contract language. With exceptional analysis and an unmatched level of practical detail, Mr. Adams highlights common sources of confusion and recommends clearer and more concise alternatives. This manual is organized to facilitate easy reference, and it illustrates its analysis with numerous examples. Consult it to save time in drafting and negotiation and to reduce the risk of dispute.

Genres: Law, Reference, Business

584 pages, Hardcover

Published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Deric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first edition many years ago and have used it as a reference ever since - now it is so tattered that I decided to buy the newer hardback edition. This should be required reading for anyone who drafts.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a transactional lawyer, this is the most important book I've read on contract drafting.

Unfortunately, they don't teach you anything about drafting contracts in law school, so newly minted lawyers are consigned to adopt archaic contract drafting styles that have been passed down for generations.

Now, thankfully, someone has taken a hard look at contracts and how they are drafted and has dared to publish a book that sets new standards that are clean, clear, logical and that result in better contracts.

Highly recommended!

[Josh Tatum · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you draft contracts, you need this book (even if, and perhaps especially if, you think you don't). Clear, well-organized, and supported by research and reason. I use this for every contract I draft, review, or revise and am grateful it's available. This is the second edition I've purchased, and I expect I'll have the current edition on my desk for the rest of my career.

[Doug Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve seen some poorly drafted compliance policies. The source of the problem is usually that they were written by lawyers, for lawyers. That is good when it comes to defending your firm against a lawsuit. But it’s a bad thing if the policy does not clearly tell the employees what they can do and what they can’t do.

More: http://www.compliancebuilding.com/201...

[Josh Tatum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must-have for anyone who does any transactional work. It's got the nuts and bolts of drafting to be readable and effective with research to back it. Almost every page has my notes on it. This will help any lawyer break out of the archaic mold of standard contract language borrowed from generations of agreements.

[Gunnar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had discovered this book when I first starting in business. So much legal writing in business is horrible. Even if I wouldn't have changed any contract language as a result of having this book, at least I could have commiserated with Kenneth Adams.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful, particularly for a former litigator whose contract drafting experience was limited to settlement agreements.

[Andrew Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continually helpful; a pillar for those of us seeking to avoid archaic contract lingo

[Ameerhakim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book