Practice Tip #1: Read the Orders
When the Court issues an order, read it. All the way through. Even* the footnotes.
I wasn’t going to start with this one, but it came up again today, so I felt compelled. I’m amazed when it becomes clear that lawyers haven’t read orders. In a really long order, I can see how your attention might wander and you might miss some nuance, but this almost always comes up with short ones that do simple things like set deadlines or tell parties what issues to address in their briefs. If something about the order is unclear, call the Court and ask. Not only does failing to comply put you in the undesirable position of asking the Court’s forgiveness, but they might say no. And then you’re just stuck. So, even if they’re not compelling (and goodness knows some of the ones I’ve drafted have been pretty dull), read them carefully.
[*] Or perhaps especially.
