Melanie Kalmanson is a commercial litigation attorney and former Florida Supreme Court law clerk. She is the author of the Bluebook Wednesday Tips Newsletter. Click here to subscribe to Melanie’s newsletter.
Bluebook Tip: Case Names
Rule 10.2
We all know to use T6 to abbreviate case names in citations.
Here are some lesser-known rules about case names.
Geographical Units
You can use T10 for abbreviating geographical units. BUT do not abbreviate the geographical unit if it’s the entire party name. Rule 10.2.2
Long Words Not in T6
You can make your own abbreviations for words that are longer than eight letters if it’s unambiguous. Rule 10.2.1(c)
Case Names in Text
When citing a case in text, you should not abbreviate the case name using T6. You should spell out the case name—with a few exceptions.
Even in text, you should always abbreviate widely known acronyms (R. 6.1(b)) and these eight words: &, Ass’n, Bros., Co., Corp., Inc., Ltd., and No. Rule 10.2.2
Examples
A) In text: Smith & Bros. Marijuana Co. v. United States Department of Agriculture
Cite: Smith & Bros. Marij. Co. v. U.S. Dep’t of Agric.
B) In text: Smith & Bros. Marijuana Co. v. United States
Cite: Smith & Bros. Marij. Co. v. United States
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