How to Read a Legal Opinion: a guide for new law students (2007)

Orin S. Kerr, an Associate Professor of Law at The George Washington University Law School, explains in clear, concise language how to read a court opinion.  "Modern judicial opinions reflect hundreds of years of history and practice. They usually follow a simple and predictable formula," he explains.  This brief article (also at 11 Green Bag 2d 51) would be a good starting spot for new law students to learn some fundamentals.