David Ziff
@djsziff.bsky.social
Teaching Professor, University of Washington School of Law #LegalWriting
My stuff: https://linktr.ee/djsziff
My stuff: https://linktr.ee/djsziff
Pinned
David Ziff
@djsziff.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Um. Hello new followers. I apologize in advance for my posts. I write about legal citation and #LegalWriting generally. E.g.,
A 27-page review of The Bluebook: digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/faculty-arti...
An essay on the citation of so-called "slave cases": digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/faculty-arti...
1/
A 27-page review of The Bluebook: digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/faculty-arti...
An essay on the citation of so-called "slave cases": digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/faculty-arti...
1/
Hello from Washington State.
State supreme courts are still overwhelmingly white & male
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
State Supreme Court Diversity - November 2025 Update
Many state supreme courts lack diversity in terms of their justices’ race, ethnicity, gender, and professional background.
www.brennancenter.org
November 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Hello from Washington State.
Reposted by David Ziff
November 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by David Ziff
Happy 40th birthday to Bill Waterson’s ‘Calvin and Hobbes’. A work of consummate, stubborn, human, and more-than-human art.
November 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Happy 40th birthday to Bill Waterson’s ‘Calvin and Hobbes’. A work of consummate, stubborn, human, and more-than-human art.
Reposted by David Ziff
"here's why" is also unnecessary
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
"here's why" is also unnecessary
Reposted by David Ziff
it's pretending to be concise and digestible but it isn't at all. 2/3 of the first 3 sentences are unnecessary. "though the state of texas presents this dispute as an argument over politics alone, substantial evidence shows that texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 map." there I fixed it.
not the point but I absolutely cannot stand it when judges adopt this writing style
November 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
it's pretending to be concise and digestible but it isn't at all. 2/3 of the first 3 sentences are unnecessary. "though the state of texas presents this dispute as an argument over politics alone, substantial evidence shows that texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 map." there I fixed it.
Reposted by David Ziff
There are some cases of such import that judges know they will be read by the lay person. On those occasions, which this surely is, I think it appropriate for a judge to speak to the people.
November 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
There are some cases of such import that judges know they will be read by the lay person. On those occasions, which this surely is, I think it appropriate for a judge to speak to the people.
Reposted by David Ziff
I like it, especially for a case like this that will get a lot of public notice. The "here's why" is a little journalistic, but I think that works in this context.
November 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I like it, especially for a case like this that will get a lot of public notice. The "here's why" is a little journalistic, but I think that works in this context.
This is my view. I think it's good. But the "Here's why" at the end grates a bit. Maybe that colors the whole thing? For me, there's a line between simple short sentences (good) and performative folksiness (bad). I think this stays on the good side.
I like it, especially for a case like this that will get a lot of public notice. The "here's why" is a little journalistic, but I think that works in this context.
November 18, 2025 at 7:28 PM
This is my view. I think it's good. But the "Here's why" at the end grates a bit. Maybe that colors the whole thing? For me, there's a line between simple short sentences (good) and performative folksiness (bad). I think this stays on the good side.
Reposted by David Ziff
I don’t really get the critique. Short, clear sentences that concisely summarize the key point. What’s the harm?
Maybe it’s the “Here’s why”? It not really necessary. I’d probably cut it and go right to the remedy: “As a result, we X the map and order Texas to Y.”
But it’s…not the worst opening?
Maybe it’s the “Here’s why”? It not really necessary. I’d probably cut it and go right to the remedy: “As a result, we X the map and order Texas to Y.”
But it’s…not the worst opening?
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I don’t really get the critique. Short, clear sentences that concisely summarize the key point. What’s the harm?
Maybe it’s the “Here’s why”? It not really necessary. I’d probably cut it and go right to the remedy: “As a result, we X the map and order Texas to Y.”
But it’s…not the worst opening?
Maybe it’s the “Here’s why”? It not really necessary. I’d probably cut it and go right to the remedy: “As a result, we X the map and order Texas to Y.”
But it’s…not the worst opening?
A #LegalWriting take! Obviously, the style is better than some alternatives. But what do folks think?
not the point but I absolutely cannot stand it when judges adopt this writing style
November 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
A #LegalWriting take! Obviously, the style is better than some alternatives. But what do folks think?
Reposted by David Ziff
I’m deleting my post about this story while I confirm it’s a credible source. The author does legitimate reporting in the region but I can’t vouch for the outlet so I shouldn’t have shared. I apologize for jumping the gun before verifying.
November 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I’m deleting my post about this story while I confirm it’s a credible source. The author does legitimate reporting in the region but I can’t vouch for the outlet so I shouldn’t have shared. I apologize for jumping the gun before verifying.
Have any other news outlets reported or confirmed this story? Just reflecting on this book I've now read seven times to my 5yo.
elisegravel.com/en/blog/kill...
elisegravel.com/en/blog/kill...
November 18, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Have any other news outlets reported or confirmed this story? Just reflecting on this book I've now read seven times to my 5yo.
elisegravel.com/en/blog/kill...
elisegravel.com/en/blog/kill...
Reposted by David Ziff
Amazing PSA for TVW, the Washington State public access judicial TV channel. All court, all the time! www.instagram.com/reel/DRFvlFX...
TVW on Instagram: "The toughest, straight-shootin’, justice-lovin’ cowboy this side of the Cascades IS BACK and promoting the new Court TVW channel🤠⚖️
Wild Bill Gavelston is ridin’ into town to annou...
Experience the thrill of the courtroom with Court TVW, your one-stop-shop for all things court-related. Get expert analysis, watch courtroom drama, and stay up-to-date on the latest legal developments...
www.instagram.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Amazing PSA for TVW, the Washington State public access judicial TV channel. All court, all the time! www.instagram.com/reel/DRFvlFX...
From the great Matthew Butterick's newsletter.
Fonts: wehtt.am/fonts/
Newsletter: mbxs.matthewbutterick.com
#Fonts
#LegalWriting
Fonts: wehtt.am/fonts/
Newsletter: mbxs.matthewbutterick.com
#Fonts
#LegalWriting
November 17, 2025 at 1:36 AM
From the great Matthew Butterick's newsletter.
Fonts: wehtt.am/fonts/
Newsletter: mbxs.matthewbutterick.com
#Fonts
#LegalWriting
Fonts: wehtt.am/fonts/
Newsletter: mbxs.matthewbutterick.com
#Fonts
#LegalWriting
But see Scott v. Harris (2007).
Appellate lawyers watching football on Sunday and contemplating what it would be like to have the "incontrovertible visual evidence" standard of review.
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
But see Scott v. Harris (2007).
Offensive to the Pigeon tbh.
Some light reading this weekend... #impeachthequack
DC folks! Join us on Monday at the GWU Lisner Auditorium for a Rally against RFK Jr.!
DC folks! Join us on Monday at the GWU Lisner Auditorium for a Rally against RFK Jr.!
November 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Offensive to the Pigeon tbh.
Reposted by David Ziff
Okay I need one each of the following tapes...
November 16, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Okay I need one each of the following tapes...
Okay I need one each of the following tapes...
November 16, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Okay I need one each of the following tapes...
Lexis is adding "Etc" to long party names now in the formal caption?!?!
#LegalResearch
#LegalCitation
#Bluebook
#LegalResearch
#LegalCitation
#Bluebook
November 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Lexis is adding "Etc" to long party names now in the formal caption?!?!
#LegalResearch
#LegalCitation
#Bluebook
#LegalResearch
#LegalCitation
#Bluebook
Yup. A private email from one person to another discussing some fact is not an "allegation" of that fact. Someone could use that email to support an allegation. And perhaps the publisher needs to note that the subject denies the conduct happened. But "allegation" is not the right framework here.
This headline is journalistic malpractice. This isn't Epstein "alleging" that Trump knew. This is Epstein and Maxwell discussing - in 2011, long before Trump had political salience - how the FACT that Trump knew might play out
Both of them took as a given that this was a fact in a private email
Both of them took as a given that this was a fact in a private email
November 12, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Yup. A private email from one person to another discussing some fact is not an "allegation" of that fact. Someone could use that email to support an allegation. And perhaps the publisher needs to note that the subject denies the conduct happened. But "allegation" is not the right framework here.
The font would appear to be English 111 Adagio CE, available for the highly presidential sum of just $39.75 USD
Note "The" is not kerned correctly
(see perspective-corrected still for reference)
Note "The" is not kerned correctly
(see perspective-corrected still for reference)
November 12, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Hey, welcome to Seattle! Say "Hi" if you see me. I'm the guy in the #17 Neshek Twins shirt.
One week later, Randy Dobnak has signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners.
Tigers declined their $6 million team option on Randy Dobnak for 2026, paying him a $1 million buyout instead.
Getting that buyout money off the 2026 books was why the Twins included Dobnak in the deadline trade sending Chris Paddack to Detroit.
Dobnak is now a free agent.
Getting that buyout money off the 2026 books was why the Twins included Dobnak in the deadline trade sending Chris Paddack to Detroit.
Dobnak is now a free agent.
November 12, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Hey, welcome to Seattle! Say "Hi" if you see me. I'm the guy in the #17 Neshek Twins shirt.
"My name is Ryan. I inherited the 007 title from the previous James Bond, just as you will inherit it from me. The man I inherited it from was not the real James Bond, either. His name was Cummerbund. The real James Bond has been retired fifteen years and living like a king in Patagonia."
James Bond’s death in No Time to Die is causing a nightmare for the next film. Writers are stuck because Bond “was blown to pieces.”
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
November 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"My name is Ryan. I inherited the 007 title from the previous James Bond, just as you will inherit it from me. The man I inherited it from was not the real James Bond, either. His name was Cummerbund. The real James Bond has been retired fifteen years and living like a king in Patagonia."
Message I just received from a local lawyer, who shall remain nameless: "How did you convince Washington State BarNews to publish your Bluebook article?"
Um... Because it's a literary and analytical triumph?
wabarnews.org/2025/10/15/w...
Um... Because it's a literary and analytical triumph?
wabarnews.org/2025/10/15/w...
What Lawyers Need to Know About the New Bluebook - Washington State Bar News
What do you need to know about the new Bluebook? Probably nothing. I suppose we could just end the article right here.
wabarnews.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Message I just received from a local lawyer, who shall remain nameless: "How did you convince Washington State BarNews to publish your Bluebook article?"
Um... Because it's a literary and analytical triumph?
wabarnews.org/2025/10/15/w...
Um... Because it's a literary and analytical triumph?
wabarnews.org/2025/10/15/w...