The State Bar wants to make something perfectly clear - the language of its 117,000 members.
The bar's Board of Governors voted at a weekend meeting to "promote and foster the use of plain English" among lawyers, who are prone to legalese."Even simple questions such as `Is that what the house looks like?' can be tortured into `Is this a fair and accurate depiction of the premises alleged to be located within the confines of Modoc County?' " said San Diego attorney John Seitman in a background paper for his fellow board members.
Several other states, but not California, have passed laws requiring plain English in legal documents, Seitman said.
The board voted to urge lawyers to simplify forms and language used in the practice of law. The plan also tells bar staff to develop "simple-language guidelines" for communicating with the public and for helping lawyers communicate with clients.