Subject: ABA Uniform Citation Proposal Date: Mon, 10 Mar 1997 12:08:24 -0500 From: "Edwin A. Williams" Organization: Kellogg, Williams & Lyons To: citation@teo.uscourts.gov I am a lawyer practicing in Vienna, Virginia. I have been practicing law in state and federal courts for 30 years and have a great deal of experience writing briefs and memoranda to state and federal judges. During the past few years the computer revolution has reached the practice of law and one of the most useful and innovative features is the ability to obtain basic legal research material either on-line or on a CD-ROM. CD-ROMs, in particular, have significantly lowered the cost of access to state and federal opinions. There remains, however, one substantial difficulty with using on-line material and CD-ROM opinions. "The Bluebook, A Uniform System of Citations (15th ed.)" requires that, except for the U.S. Supreme Court opinions, federal opinions be cited to the federal reporters that are published by West Publishing Company. Although the CD-ROM products I am familiar with provide the initial citation to the West publication volume and page numbers, none except West's own CD-ROMs provide the internal citation to pages to the federal reporters. These pinpoint citations are required and are expected by the bench and opposing counsel when quoting material from an opinion. To fulfill this requirement, I or members of my firm must either go to a law library where the paper versions of the West reporters are available or we must subscribe to West Law and Lexis-Nexis at a substantial cost to us or our clients. Or, at an even greater cost, we must purchase the West reporters, bookcases, and the floor space necessary to house such a library. I have reviewed the ABA's Uniform Citation Proposal and believe it would provide an excellent way to cite to specific paragraphs of opinions no matter how they are published. Moreover, as soon as courts publish their opinions, whether on-line or elsewhere, the opinion could be cited as authority. I believe the ABA's Uniform Citation Proposal would greatly reduce the cost and time to obtain basic legal material and greatly benefit the public and the bar. The administrative costs of changing to the uniform citations proposed would be far outweighed by the savings to lawyers like me and my clients. Therefore, I urge the Judicial Conference of the United States to adopt and implement the ABA's Uniform Citation Proposal. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, Edwin A. Williams, Esq. KELLOGG, WILLIAMS & LYONS 246 Maple Avenue, East Suite 209 Vienna, VA 22180 (703) 938-4875 FAX (703) 938-4877 pp000328@mindspring.com