Drafting Clearer Contracts

Faculty Agenda View Brochure PDF

The focus is not on what to include in a contract, but how to express it clearly and effectively.

Ken Adams has developed a thoughtful and rigorous curriculum that will benefit both junior and more experienced drafters. Building on the content of his book, this practical one-day course will cover:

• • The benefits of clear drafting
  • Efficient and less efficient contract usages
  • Categories of contract language and how to use them

• Mastering how to lay out the body of the contract
• Using defined terms
• Different kinds of ambiguity and how to avoid them
• Problematic words and phrases – and what to use instead

Materials for the course will include a copy of Ken Adams’ book, A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting (2017, 4th edition), one of the American Bar Association’s best-sellers. It’s the only book of its kind, and has become a valued resource to the legal profession. Here is what one practitioner has said about Ken’s book:

“A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting is filled with practical advice. It certainly fills a need – the vast majority of agreements out there violate the principles Ken Adams states so clearly. Every lawyer who drafts or interprets contracts should have a copy of this book within reach.”
Michael A. Woronoff, Partner, Proskauer Rose LLP

PLUS! Don’t miss the Advanced Workshop – The Categories of Contract Language to take your contract drafting skills to the next level! Over one intensive morning, you will take a deep dive into what is generally regarded as the foundation of the Adams’ approach to contract drafting – the categories of contract language.

Attendees for this advanced program MUST have either have attended or viewed Ken’s Drafting Clearer Contracts program/series, or be familiar with the analysis of categories of contract language contained in his book.

Faculty

Course Leader

• Kenneth A. Adams is the leading authority on contract language. His book, A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting is one of the ABA’s best-selling titles and has become an essential resource for contract drafters. He gives public and in-house seminars in the U.S., Canada and internationally, acts as a consultant and expert witness. From 2006 to 2012, Ken was a lecturer in law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he taught the school’s first course on contract drafting. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Ken practiced corporate law at major law firms in the U.S. and Europe. His website and blog are www.adamsdrafting.com.

Agenda

View the Brochure PDF

Fees

Fees include attendance, program materials, continental breakfast, lunch and break refreshments.

Group Discounts

OsgoodePD offers group rates for both on site and webcast formats. Please note these are only available when registering for members of the same organization, at the same time, and payment is made with one invoice.

Program Changes

We will make every effort to present the certificate program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the dates, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.

Cancellations and Substitutions

Substitution of registrants is permitted at any time. If you are unable to find a substitute, a full refund is available if a cancellation request is received in writing 14 days prior to the program date. If a cancellation request is made with less than 14 days notice, a $75 administration fee will apply. No other refund is available.

Technical Support

In the event you experience technical difficulties, please contact opdsupport@osgoode.yorku.ca for assistance.

FAQs

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Program Details

Questions on program registration?
Please contact the Registration Team at osgoodepd@osgoode.yorku.ca

Questions on the program content?
Please contact the Program Lawyer:
Gail Geronimo at ggeronimo@osgoode.yorku.ca