Curtis Shipley Speaks to Research Triangle Chapter of Association of Corporate Counsel
Ellis & Winters partner Curtis Shipley spoke to the Research Triangle Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel on September 21, 2016, in Greensboro, North Carolina. The presentation, made jointly with Jeff Young, Chief Counsel for Litigation and Large Projects at ABB Inc., concerned “Effective Writing and Editing in the In-House Legal Environment.”
Mr. Shipley and Mr. Young discussed the unique challenges that in-house attorneys face in writing effectively to communicate with diverse audiences in a corporate environment. They suggested writing techniques that succeed in all contexts, as well as considerations that apply to specific audiences, such as senior executives, mid-level managers, outside counsel, opposing counsel, and courts. Mr. Shipley and Mr. Young outlined strategies not only for in-house counsel’s drafting of their own documents, but also for their effective coordination and editing of the written work product of outside counsel. In addition, they conveyed writing advice that in-house counsel may provide to their clients within the organization to avoid pitfalls in contract negotiations and litigation.
Curtis Shipley focuses his practice on a variety of litigation matters, including complex commercial disputes and construction defect, products liability, and environmental litigation. In addition, Mr. Shipley advises clients concerning manufacturing, distribution, land use, and confidentiality agreements, and the management of risks associated with product lines and business operations. Mr. Shipley obtained his bachelor’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. He then graduated with high distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law, where he served as Articles Editor of the Iowa Law Review. After law school, Mr. Shipley served as a law clerk for the Honorable Myron H. Bright of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.