SAN FRANCISCO — Adobe Systems Inc. is taking a stand in the war against legalese:

Do write in short sentences. Don’t use passive voice. And for heaven’s sake, stay away from leaden language like aforementioned, hereinbefore and pari passu. Adobe has spent three years developing its rules for legal writing and on Wednesday released a 27-page style guide, in a move general counsel Michael Dillon hopes will help “change the brand of the profession.”