Wash. judge tells verbose lawyer to make it snappy

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Wash. judge tells verbose lawyer to make it snappy

Story Created: Jul 8, 2008 at 12:52 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 8, 2008 at 12:52 PM EDT

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - A federal judge in Tacoma has told a lawyer he needs to make it snappy.

Judge Ronald Leighton balked at a 465-page lawsuit that made its way onto his desk. He invoked a rarely used rule that requires a "short and plain statement" of allegations.

The title of the racketeering lawsuit filed by attorney Dean Browning Webb was eight pages long.

The judge issued his order in a limerick:
"Plaintiff has a great deal to say,
But it seems he skipped Rule 8(a).
His Complaint is too long,
Which renders it wrong,
Please rewrite and refile today."


(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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