Over on a certain social-networking site, I referred to “The Blind Boys of Alabama’s version of ‘Amazing Grace.’” Which got me to wondering whether I put the apostrophe-S in the right spot. Should it be “Blind Boys’ of Alabama”? What do you think?
While you’re thinking about it, here is the song that prompted the question.
Last week, a Florida appellate court reversed an award of attorney’s fees awarded following an offer of judgment because “ambiguities in the offer prevent its enforceability.” The cause of the ambiguity: misplaced apostrophes:
The offer was apostrophe-challenged, creating ambiguities as to whether the drafter intended references to singular or plural defendants or plaintiffs. The offer, entitled “Defendant’s Joint Proposal for Settlement,” also appears to have been adopted from a form without sufficient editing; it requires “Plaintiff’(s)” to “execute a stipulation,” and “Plaintiff(s)” to “execute a general release of “Defendant(s).”
Bradshaw v. Boynton-JCP Assocs., Ltd., No. 4D11-4242 (Fla. App. 4th Dist. Apr. 10, 2013). (Hat tip to Law 360.)
This case reminds me of a recurring question: Is it “attorney’s fees” or “attorneys’ fees”? Garner’s Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage says that either is okay. The former is prevalent, but the latter may be preferable when more than one attorney is referred to.
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p.s. (23 Apr. 2013): To read Garner’s take on “attorney’s fees” v. “attorneys’ fees,” click here.
I just returned from my first meeting as a member of the Scribes board of directors. I knew that these were my kind of people, but I had no idea how much so until I read the minutes from last year’s meeting, which included this item:
Approval of minutes: Mark moved and Beth seconded the motion to approve the minutes with a corrected comma on page 3. The motion passed....
On a related note: If you are reading this blog, then you would probably enjoy being a member of Scribes. So if you are not already a member, please consider signing up.