Inside: - Baton Rouge Bar Association

GAIL’S GRAMMAR
Trang Nguyen provides
staff support to the Pro Bono
Committee. Nguyen coordinates
the Thirst for Justice legal clinics
and Ask-A-Lawyer workshops.
She manages the pro bono
database and coordinates law
student volunteers. Nguyen is
also jointly responsible for placing pro bono clients with
volunteer attorneys. In addition, she is responsible for
the Pro Bono Project’s report in Foundation Footnotes
in Around the Bar each month. She has been with BRBA
since April 2010.
Trang Nguyen, Pro Bono Coordinator
trang@brba.org • 225-214-5558
Julie Ourso is staff liaison
to the Operations and Finance
Committee. Julie assists in
answering the phone, sets up all
new events in the Association’s
database, prepares monthly
financial reports, handles the
accounting system,
accounts payable, accounts receivable and
payroll, and coordinates the annual audit.
She has been employed by the BRBA for
nine years.
We are all familiar with the concept that to
compare two things, we use the comparative “er”
or “more,” but for three or more things we use the
superlative “est” or “most.” But is it wrong to use
the superlative with two items? Although some
hold the fi rm belief, probably drilled into their heads
in elementary school, that one who has only two
daughters could never say “Sara is my youngest
daughter,” many would disagree. Writers who have
used “the superlative of two” include Hemingway,
Shakespeare, Milton and Defoe. Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary of English Usage states, “The rule serves
no ... practical function except to separate those who
observe the rule from those who do not.” So instead
of trying to be hypertechnical, just use whichever one
sounds better [or best] to you. It’s all right to put your
best foot forward, even though you have only two.
Thanks to Lorraine Crifasi for suggesting this topic. Send
suggestions for future Gail’s Grammar columns to Gail
Stephenson at GStephenson@sulc.edu, or call Gail at
225.771.4900 x 216.
Julie Ourso, Bookkeeper
julie@brba.org • 225-214-5572
And, of course, BRBA staff members
pitch in during all events and receptions, in
addition to their usual duties listed above.
REQUESTED:
LEGAL ARTICLE
SUBMISSIONS
Let us know if you
would like to write
an article to be published
in Around the Bar.
Please contact:
Pamela Labbe at 225-214-5560
or pamela@brba.org
20 Around the Bar
February 2011