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Publishing columns in the Daily Journal is an excellent way to argue a point or explain an issue to a broad swath of California lawyers. Our columns are published in the Los Angeles and San Francisco editions and are read by lawyers all over the state, including over 700 chief legal officers of California companies. The Daily Journal strongly recommends writers keep their columns to 1,000 words. Although we will publish columns of up to 1,400 words, we find the longer the piece is, the less it is read. Our readers all busy lawyers and judges with demands on their time want shorter pieces that cover the highlights quickly. This is especially true of in-house readers who say they are looking for key points to make to their chief executive or board of directors. Lawyers who wish to read a more in-depth version of an article can be referred to the writers website or a longer version posted on the newspapers website. Key points a grouping of data or salient facts that cut to the heart of the issue can be set aside and, at our discretion, published as a graphic element with your column. The Daily Journal publishes traditional opinion pieces in which the author takes an affirmative stand on an issue and analysis pieces that dissect a recent ruling, law or regulation. The columns should argue a point or explain the law in a way that would interest a broad spectrum of practitioners, not just a few lawyers in a specialized area. We also publish first-person stories, historical and humor pieces, and book reviews. Those pieces have an absolute maximum length of 1,000 words. Although everyone has their own style of writing, remember that for most of our writers publishing is a tool for business development. The goal is to capture the attention of readers who might want to refer a case or recommend you to a colleague. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions that could increase readership of your column: Capture the readers attention by starting with a catchy sentence or an anecdote; Craft a couple of sentences somewhere between the third and fifth paragraphs that neatly sum up for the reader what you are writing about. Dont make them read to the end of the piece to find out where you are taking them. They wont go with you. However, avoid sentences such as In this piece, I will discuss... Just say it. Use of jargon related to your practice is fine as long as it is coupled with a quick explanation for uninitiated readers; Citations are valuable but they hinder the readability of the piece. Use them sparingly within the body of the article. You can list other relevant cases, which we will publish at the bottom of the piece; Do not use footnotes, id cites, long block quotes or numbered lists, except for proposed graphics; Do not use hyperlinks; Avoid self-laudatory sentences such as My firm has been a leader in this area. Show readers you are an expert. Dont tell them.
Columns are frequently selected for publishing on the front page, which gives the writer maximum visibility. Front-page columns are the editors discretion and the decision is based on readability, timeliness of the subject matter and appeal to the broadest audience.