Dear Legal Writer:

Put a period or comma INSIDE the ending quotation marks, regardless of whether that period or comma appeared in the original, quoted material.

Scope: U.S. Legal Writing*

Here are two examples.

NO COMMA IN ORIGINAL

Original:  “The complaint lacked sufficient facts to survive summary dismissal, but we grant plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint.”

Correct:   The court dismissed the complaint because it “lacked sufficient facts,” but the court also granted plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint.

Note that the comma goes INSIDE the ending quotation marks, even though no comma appeared there in the original.

NO PERIOD IN ORIGINAL

Original:  “We vacate and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Correct:   The court “remand[ed] for further proceedings.”

Note that the period goes INSIDE the ending quotation marks, even though no period appeared there in the original.

***
This may trip up writers because it’s done differently elsewhere.*

Fondly,
Amanda

*Source:  Waddington, Anne, New Hart’s Rules, The Oxford Style Guide (2d ed. 2014).