As any proud legal professional knows, it is up to us to keep Latin alive. Here are a few phrases I've selected - brush up on your Latin, and use them as a guide for the upcoming month. Amaze your friends, impress your colleagues...I think it qualifies as both fun and educational.

Additionally, I've decided to express my long-standing fascination with astrology by providing you with an exciting new feature of this blog: the utterly salient, indispensible and frequently poignant Litigator's Horoscope to Live By. Enjoy ~

This first phrase certainly falls into the "words to live by" category, and the Latin pronounciation provides an added cache of authority:

Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat - impunity always invites greater crimes. Really makes you think, doesn't it?

The second one is a truism you can pass along to any client or colleague - just make sure you do so in a non-judgemental tone.

Dolus et fraus nemini patrocinentur - deceit and fraud shall excuse or benefit no man.

And the last one for this month:

Par in parem imperium non habet - An equal has no dominion over an equal.

Hopefully these phrases will help guide you in your dealings this week - at the very least, your colleagues will be impressed that you are quoting Latin. Of course, there’s always the danger that they will think you’ve read one too many Harry Potter books, but that should be a risk you’re willing to take to keep Latin alive!

I invite any readers to pass along any of their favorite Latin phrases or surly comments to me.

Finally, the Litigator's Horoscope to Live By:

Scorpio
October 23 - November 21

Subconsciously, you've been planning for a big change - things are finally coming together, and now is the time for drastic action! Don't be surprised if your agenda winds up rocking the boat for others, though - keep your cool, be confident in your instincts and your decisions, and stay the course. Your detractors will come around eventually.

Be wary of colleagues who offer help out of the blue - remember, it's a dog-eat-dog world out there; if you sense an ulterior motive, you're probably onto something.