Re: Language bloat

This is the opening paragraph (the names have been changed to protect the innocent) of an actual letter I received a couple of weeks ago:

"Dear Mr. Webb:

   Please be advised that the undersigned counsel represents Mr. John Smith in regard to the above referenced matter.  I am in receipt of your correspondence dated February 24, 2003 and, in response thereto, please be advised as follows."

As if $200 an hour weren't bad enough, it must have taken a half hour to write this paragraph and it isn't even gramatically correct!  He gets extra points for pretentious, though.

I wasn't overcharged.  He represents the guy on the other side, who probably thinks it's a great letter!