Legal Cite Checking: Precision in Persuasive Writing (Part 3 of 4)
By Molly Gulbrandson, ParaOne Legal Services
Photo: We are fortunate now to have everything at our fingertips. But those law libraries have such a beautiful, rich smell to them. I felt it only appropriate to honor them with a picture supporting this blog. Featured: Iowa State Law Library.
Intro: The Second Layer of Accuracy
In Part 2, we looked at how fact cite checking builds a motion’s credibility through precision and support. Now, let’s turn to another layer of accuracy: legal cite checking.
By the time a motion reaches cite check, the drafting is usually well underway, but the work isn’t finished. This is the point where every authority gets a closer look.
Cite checking is more than verifying form; it’s making sure the law being cited truly supports the argument taking shape.
Every citation is a promise: this is what the law says.
And that promise carries weight with the court.
Cite checking is where precision meets persuasion, ensuring that each authority is accurate, current, and purposeful in strengthening the motion.
Why Cite Checking Matters
Legal citations aren’t filler. They’re the backbone of credibility.
A misplaced parenthetical, outdated case, or miscited reporter can erode that credibility instantly. A good cite check doesn’t just verify form, it tests the argument’s footing.
That’s where a paralegal’s eye makes all the difference. We don’t just check what’s on the page. We check what’s underneath it. Is that case still good law? Does the cited authority actually say what it’s claimed to say? Are the quotations accurate and the pinpoint cites correct?
These are the questions that strengthen a motion before opposing counsel ever has the chance to find the cracks.
The Strategic Layer
Cite checking can be tedious, sure. But it’s also an opportunity. Here’s where paralegals shine in motion prep:
Confirming authority: Verifying that each case and statute is current, controlling, and relevant.
Tracking accuracy: Checking quotations, page cites, and parentheticals line by line.
Creating cross-reference tools: Building cite check logs or tables that make review efficient and transparent.
Flagging issues early: Catching potential weak spots and ensuring consistency between legal arguments and factual assertions.
These steps help attorneys fine-tune their message, ensuring that each authority truly advances the position being argued.
It’s the last quiet checkpoint before the motion leaves the office, and once it does, every detail speaks for your credibility.
Practical Tips
Doing legal cite checks can be daunting but having a system in place makes the process run smoother and keeps results consistent. I use the following steps to guide my workflow.
Highlight citations. I highlight all legal citations in teal during the first pass to check form and long/short citations. Once I’ve confirmed the law is good and the premise or quote is correct, I unhighlight.
Check all instances of a citation at a time. Rather than checking each cite as it appears, I use the “find” feature to locate all occurrences of a citation in the brief and confirm each one while the authority is open.
Use track changes. As mentioned in Part 2 of this series, I make notes and ask questions directly in the document instead of emailing. This keeps everything in one place and avoids scattered email threads.
Keep the Bluebook close. Refer to it often but also know the attorney’s preferences. Citation style can vary, and clarity comes from consistency. Always defer to your attorney’s preferred format, and if unsure, ask (in redline).
Closing Thought
Legal cite checking is another layer of strategy in motion preparation, and it’s built on trust in the process. It’s where precision and persuasion meet, and where the paralegals help ensure the law stands as strong as the facts. Attorney and paralegal move in sync here, refining the details that make the motion persuasive and complete.
Stay tuned: Part 4 of this series will look at Exhibits: the structure that holds your motion together.