Posts by Jessica Vapnek

Jessica Vapnek on Gender-Silent Legislative Drafting

Published on: Author: Jessica Vapnek

Thirty years ago, a property student accused me of ruining the English language by using the word remainderperson.  Never mind that very few people use the language of future interests in their daily lives, the student’s point was that a man word (remainderman) is more correct than a gender-neutral word (remainderperson).  The student’s authority was… Continue reading →

Dave Owen on Groundwater Management

Published on: Author: Jessica Vapnek

California has a rich and varied stock of water resources, which has enabled it to survive years of drought. But although scientists have long known that surface and groundwater are interdependent (both for recharge and with respect to pollution), the state has treated the state’s surface water and groundwater as legally and institutionally separate resources.… Continue reading →