Rick HasenVerified account

If good opinion writing looks easy, it is actually a lot of work. Kagan aims for a reader who is intelligent without a law degree

Look for examples, analogies closer to home that people can relate to. Be clear, engaging and will stick with people. Like how she taught

Kagan on legal writing: "there's a lot of banging your head against your computer monitor"

Primary job in deciding cases for Supreme Court to take is resolving Circuit splits, J Kagan says. Also when court strikes act of congress

To prepare for oral argument. After Kagan reads briefs and bench memo, brings in all clerks for Socratic dialogue

Kagan thinks about what points she wants to make at oral argument.

Oral argument makes less difference than the briefs but oral argument sometimes makes Kagan go back and reconsider

Kagan on statutory interpretation: there are more agreed principles than you'd think. If text clear that's it. Then structure,history,canons