<p>Biglaw bonuses notwithstanding, I, the party of the first part, offer, but in no way obligate the parties of the second part to accept, my congratulations on their acceptance to Harvard Law.</p>
<p>Congrats to all. But if you actually draft a contract that refers to "the party of the first part," you'll likely be fired before you get your bonus.</p>
<p>That's a joke.</p>
<p>I know it's a joke. But once upon a time, there were actual contracts drafted in that bizarre style, by people who weren't joking. Why, God only knows.</p>
<p>But what the Marx Brothers did with "the party of the first part" in their Sanity Clause bit made all those old contracts worthwhile.</p>
<p>Congrats to all !</p>
<p>Not just contracts but also opinions, some of which are still important law. Remember the Thorns Case from torts?</p>
<p>(For future law students: this is a British case from 1466 you'll probably have to read.)</p>