Legal Definitions - headnote lawyer

A headnote lawyer is a type of lawyer who relies on the headnotes of judicial opinions instead of reading the opinions themselves.

• A headnote lawyer might quickly skim through a case and only read the summary at the beginning, rather than taking the time to read the entire opinion.
• On the other hand, a diligent lawyer would read the entire opinion to fully understand the legal reasoning and implications of the case.

These examples illustrate how a headnote lawyer may not fully understand the nuances of a case and may miss important details that could impact their client's case. It is important for lawyers to thoroughly read and analyze legal opinions to provide the best representation for their clients.