U.S. District Court Judge Paul Grimm Discusses 'Why Legal Writing Matters' at UB Law School, Oct. 28
October 14, 2015
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Paul W. Grimm, a district judge for the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, will deliver a presentation marking the official opening of the University of Baltimore School of Law's new Legal Writing Center on Wednesday, Oct. 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the School’s 12th floor reception area. Judge Grimm's talk, "Why Legal Writing Matters," is free and open to the public. The School is located at 1401 N. Charles St.
The Legal Writing Center, a collaborative effort by both the University's Achievement and Learning Center and the School of Law, offers all currently enrolled law students one-on-one assistance with a UB Writing Fellow on any writing assignment in law school. From beginning law students to those who have done well on dozens of papers, legal briefs and so on, the center provides consultative help so that students' writing can shine.
"Most aspiring lawyers imagine themselves giving compelling oral arguments, conducting devastating cross examinations, and making passionate closing arguments. In their minds, that is the essence of being a lawyer," Judge Grimm said. "But while the ability to communicate effectively orally is an important part of the practice of law, the truly successful lawyer must master the skill of effective legal writing. This is because the law itself is a powerful instrument, but its power derives from the clarity with which it is written. Legal writing must be well reasoned and well crafted. If it is not, then we cannot hope to have true rule of law. Fortunately, good legal writing is a skill that can be learned, and the University of Baltimore's Legal Writing Center is exactly the type of program where you can do so."
Judge Grimm was appointed to the U.S. District Court for Maryland in 2012. Previously, he served as a magistrate judge in 1997, then served as chief magistrate judge from 2006 through 2012. In 2009, he was appointed by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Additionally, Judge Grimm has served as an adjunct professor at both the UB School of Law and the University of Maryland School of Law.
Before becoming a magistrate judge, Judge Grimm was in private practice in Baltimore for 13 years, during which time he handled commercial litigation. He also served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Maryland, an assistant state's attorney for Baltimore County, and a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.
Judge Grimm is a graduate of the University of California and the University of New Mexico School of Law.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.