Subjects:  1. Clinical Psychology    2. Counseling    3. Cross-cultural counseling    4. Decision making    5. Ethnic Studies - General    6. General    7. Moral and ethical aspects    8. Psychology    9. Psychology & Psychiatry Profession - Ethics    10. Psychotherapy - Counseling    11. Counselling    12. Legal profession    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (5)

This should be your first book about the Supreme Court
I had a great Constitutional law professor while I was in law school.He had all these stories of the Supreme Court behind the scenes, and it brought the law to life.So I started to look around for Supreme Court biographies.About 6 years later, I'm still reading them.This is the best I have come across.Love him or hate him, Hugo Black is one of the 10 most important Justices in history, most would agree.More than that--he had a strong, controversial, well-thought-out point of view about the law, though he was friends with many people who absolutely disagreed with him.He is interesting to conservatives and liberals alike and he challenges us to use our brains because he doesn't fit neatly into modern ideas of what it is to be Republican or Democrat.For instance, he's known as a "judicial activist," but he was a textualist (like Scalia).He's also something of an original intent guy (though he doesn't ignore the Amendments like the 14th Amendment that were passed long after the "founding fathers" died).He didn't believe in what's called "substantive due process"---the notion of fairness that many jurists find in the Constitution's due process clause(s).In other words---abortion, gay rights, right to die, anything labeled as a privacy right---he had his views on what the law SHOULD be but...well, as Hugo said (paraphrasing):"I like my privacy as much as the next man, but I don't find it in the Constitution."Also, he wrote Korematsu, the opinion that allowed the government to put Japanese-Americans into internment camps during the war years.Along with Justice Douglas, he was the most vigorous protector of the First Amendment free speech rights that the Court has ever had.He was banned for years from Alabama because of his assistance in desegregaing the nation and providing equal protection to African Americans (which is interesting in light of his KKK past).Thus, if you're a fan of the liberal Warren Court era OR a fan of Scalia and Thomas's modern/throwback textualist and originalist ideas, there is much for you to learn.That aside, Hugo's story was fascinating.Other reviewers have remarked on his KKK and New Deal Senator past.He was also one of the longest sitting Justices---30 years or so.This book is an easy read and you'll get a feel for Hugo's PERSONALITY, not just his actions.(I think of him as "Hugo" rather than Justice Black because I think of him as a friend...and that's due to this book).

From KKK member to the Supreme Court:A fascinating story
What more can you say to attract a reader than this book is the story of a southern lawyer who begins as a member of the Ku Klax Klan in Alabama and ends his career as one of the most respected members of the United States Supreme Court.WOW!The truth IS stranger than fiction. An excellent study of Justice Black's jurisprudence
Justice Black was (and is) a fascinating study in American constitutional theory -- an unabashed and lifelong Democrat, Black surprised many, especially toward the end of his life, when he often refused to join in the Warren court's adventures into judicial activism.Newman's biography is comprehensive, touching on all the key points of Black's life both on and off the bench, including a lenghty examination of his now-famous First Amendment jurisprudence.Black emerges in three dimensions, as a complicated and passionate advocate and jurist.Three minor flaws: first, Newman, obviously in awe of Black, occasionally misses an opportunity to fairly criticize some of his opinions; secondly, the book does not always flow smoothly, but often advances in a rough, staccato fashion (a venial flaw, considering the complicated subject matter).Finally, toward the end of the book, Newman becomes somewhat overly-sentimental - hardly a page goes by without Newman describing the "tears pouring down Black's face" as he recalls his youth and public service.Again, given the author's clearlove of his subject, this is forgiveable.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1886-1971    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Black, Hugo LaFayette,    7. Judges    8. Lawyers & Judges    9. U.S. Supreme Court    10. United States    11. BLACK, HUGO LAFAYETTE, 1886-1971    12. Biography & Autobiography / Lawyers & Judges    13. Biography: general    14. Black, Hugo LaFayette    15. Central government    16. Courts & procedure    17. JUDGES_BIOGRAPHY    18. Legal profession    19. UNITED STATES_SUPREME COURT    20. USA   

Subjects:  1. Ethics & Professional Responsibility    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Legal ethics    5. United States    6. Legal profession   

Editorial Review

In Read more

Reviews (43)

Uncommon Honesty
Stracher debunks the lies told about 'big firm' practice throughout the whole of academia: namely, that the work is compensated at such a high rate because it is very intricate and demands the most talented lawyers in the field.Hopeful students are sacrificing their personal desires and passions on a daily basis in order to pursue this fabrication of a dream, and Stracher proves that there is no magical fulfillment waiting once the attractive offer of employment at a large, respected law firm is accepted.The illusion of nobility and purpose fades away, replaced by endless hours searching through thousands of documents in order to use the technical letter of the law in any way possible to advance nonsensical arguments.
A wooden swivel chair? Ouch! Bad for your back.
I was expecting a Tale Of Greed, Sex, Lies, And The Pursuit Of A Swivel Chair, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt. My thoughts on the book are simple. Please, do not mention [Stracher] your alma-mater throughout your debut, and then do it injustice by giving it a weak gramatical assesment. The timeline through out the 230 page (dripping wet) was blurry and at times, rushed.
So, you hate your job... Stracher sure does
I read this book for a book review in one of my pre-law classes, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I am an ASPIRING law student, the author appeared to have a pretty broad understanding about law school as he references law school throughout the book, relative to the context of the current point of discussion. For example, he always reminisced about his days in moot court and drew a comparison between this and his days as a legal analyst (junior associate), working for a famed corporate law firm, whose sole purpose was to read through a convoluted mess of papers and write a brief on the said papers which would eventually be radically modified by the associates and partners. (Oh, and did I mention that by the end of the book, Stracher has become a connoisseur for virutally every kind of takeout food?) This may occur as rather depressing, but do you really think that Stracher was actually depressed (what, with earning an $85,000 salary? Didn't think so). I have to admit, Stracher paints a relatively undesirable image of the law profession, a profession which doesn't seem very appealing to a reader who doesn't watch shows like "Law and Order" and doesn't read any John Grisham books. These books seem more action packed; Stracher's book, on the other hand, refers to the self-indulgent and selfish side of lawyers. (You know, the type that bill the client for everything including bathroom visits) Nevertheless, a pretty straight forward book. A MUST READ for anyone who has even a remote interest in attending law school and subsequently practicing law. I would not advise anyone who is already practicing law to read this as the piece might occur as a mere redundancy to their job. (A partner working at a firm, who makes a seven digit salary, might find the piece rather amusing, on the other hand i.e. Perhaps they can poke fun at the "little guys" in the field that only make "peanuts") ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Corporate    3. Corporate lawyers    4. Law    5. Lawyers    6. Lawyers & Judges    7. Legal Profession    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. New York    10. New York (State)    11. Practice Of Law    12. Law / Corporate    13. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career And Vocational Guidance    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Careers - Other Specific Fields    6. Careers / Job Opportunities    7. Directories    8. Legal Profession    9. Practice Of Law    10. Reference    11. Business & Economics / Careers   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. General Practice    5. Law firms    6. Management - General    7. Mergers    8. Mergers & Acquisitions    9. United States    10. Jurisprudence & General Issues    11. Service industries    12. Takeovers, mergers & buy-outs   

Reviews (4)

women at law
essential book for all those going into the law or who are interested in womens issues. informative,humurous, and helpful. full range of interviews gives insights about different lifestyles in being a lawyer. this book should be read by all professional women who also wish to maintain a family life or those who wish to take a different path. well done!

A must-read book.
In Women-at-Law: Lessons Learned Along the Pathways to Success, Phyllis Horn Epstein shows that it is possible to balance a successful career in law with a fulfilling family life. This book is a must-read for all aspiring female lawyers, and all college students, male or female who are going to face balancing career and family after college. Women-at-Law would make a great addition to anyones Holiday Shopping List, perfect for the teenagers and 20-somethings who are just starting out.

Women At Law Book Review

Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. General Practice    3. Job satisfaction    4. Legal Profession    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Reference    7. United States    8. Women lawyers   

Reviews (9)

Waste of Time & Money
The Kaplan LSAT 2004 focuses primarily on general LSAT strategies which will raise most student's scores by 1-2 points only, and thats assuming you are completely unfamiliar with the test. For those serious students who are generally familiar with the LSAT and willing to work hard to improve their score Kaplan and the Princeton Review are a complete waste of time and money. In some cases, such as Kaplan's method of solving Reading Comprehension questions, they are even counterproductive and can slow you down. Most students will emerge after studying the Kaplan book feeling confused and still unprepared, as I did. I strongly recommend the PowerScore books. I purchased the PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible and I am now able to work almost any logic game the LSAT can throw at me with confidence. I have also just ordered the newly released PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible. Both of these books are expensive, they will run you about $90-$100 total but from my experience they are definitly worth it.

Not worth it...
This book is only good for those who really have no idea what the LSAT is.There are only a few pages on each section... and they are not all that helpful, they just tell you what kind of questions to expect... not HOW to do well on them.There are some "steps" to approaching each type of question, but I think those will end up slowing you down rather than helping you.I took an (actual) practice test totally blind before I read the book... and took another practice test out of the book... and scored only one point higher.I am relieved to hear that others believe the questions from the Kaplan book are bizarre, because I did okay on the logic game section on the actual practice LSAT (which I took without any preparation) and then, after reading the Kaplan book, totally BOMBED the logic games section in the Kaplan's practice test. Those questions WERE bizarre! Waste of Money
This book is a waste of money. Nothing in it is useful except maybe the introduction to the question types. I suggest that you get the Powerscore Logic Games Bible, Logic Reasoning Bible (Mid August 2004 I believe), and the next 10 actual LSATs, or 10 more actual official Lsats. Read the bibles and take practice tests over and over again. Good Luck. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Admission    2. Education    3. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)    4. Law    5. Law School Admission Test    6. Law schools    7. Legal Education    8. Study & Teaching    9. Study Guides    10. United States    11. Industrial or vocational training    12. Legal skills & practice    13. Study Aids / General   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Law    3. Business/Economics    4. General    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Legal Profession    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Legal Writing    9. Legal assistants    10. Legal composition    11. Research    12. United States    13. Business & Economics / General    14. Legal skills & practice    15. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (7)

Props to Ms. Astl
Props to Ms. Astl on even the first 5 pages of her book. The humor definitely helps all of us in the legal field trying to make it. May she continue to help many others find their ways!

Groundbreaking
From a male perspective, and a paralegal student, this book was groundbreaking. I read the reviews and they were great (except for the one "mostly dissapointed". They obviously didn't "get" the book--the whole purpose was to show that being a paralegal is NOT mediocre! Would you want your doctor, accountant or lawyer to "justdo the job well enough?" and to just "get by with getting the work done" instead of done WELL? I don't think so! (I only hope that person NEVER becomes a paralegal.) Anyway, I felt this book was just what the cover said...a good mix of information on education, what it takes to be a paralegal, but it went even further to show REALLY what it takes--diligence, STELLAR work ethic (not just mediocre), interpersonal skills, education, and work experience. I feel much more ready for this career after reading this book. Our noble profession (the law) should ALWAYS be upheld by the standards set forth in this book. I too, agree that this should be recommended or required reading in paralegal classes. Everyone can learn from it and take the bits and pieces of it into their own careers and lives--and be better for it. Maybe some thought it was too heavy on personal experience, but that's precisely what makes this book NOT textbook-y. If you really truly want to know what it's like, don't read Litigation or Real Estate for Paralegals, read this book.

Mostly Disappointing
This book was not for me.As a nonconformist, I was trying to find out what it's really like to work as a paralegal- are my coworkers likely to be line-toeing rule-followers like the coworkers I have to deal with in retail?That sort of thing.Instead, I actually found the author slightly insulting.She described herself as a perfectionist and "an admittedly uptight Type A" and she seemed to kind of have a grudge against laid-back, less organized people who are more interested in just getting the job well enough done than in doing everything perfectly.There were some useful bits, for example, the bit about gossip and how the legal community is close-knit and it takes time to live down a reputation of any sort if you acquire one, even if you change firms.But in general I felt less like I was getting some kind of inside look, and more like the book was her personal complaining session about coworkers, clients, and bosses whose perspective and approach to life differed from her own.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Law    2. Legal Profession    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Paralegals & Paralegalism   

Reviews (9)

utter bunk
Norman Finkelstein conclusively demonstrates that Dershowitz is a plagiarizer and that his claims about Israel's "superb" human rights record are complete bunk. All reputable human rights organizations support Finkelstein's arguments and not Dershowitz's. Dershowitz's book merits a minus 10, but the lowest grade one can give it is one star. The fact that one can find copies of this book for sale for 1 cent indicate its scholarly and moral usefulness. Dershowitz is now involved in a concerted campaign to have Finkelstein shut down, pressuring Harvard Bookstore and the Barnes and Noble bookstore at DePaul University in Chicago to cancel speaking engagements by Finkelstein. Harvard cancelled its invitation for fear of "economic retaliation," Barnes and Noble said the book was "too controversial," and invited Dershowitz to speak about his "book" instead.

An interesting discussion of Jews in the world today
Plenty of Jews exhibit chutzpah (nerve).But there is a flip side to this, the fear of "shanda fur de goyim" (embarrassment in front of the gentiles).
A very long "rant"
I was initially engrossed while reading about the history of the Dershowitz family and their lives in Brooklyn.As the book progressed, it was more like a very long "rant" about anti-Semitism, and the miserable plight of American Jews.As an American Jew living in the rural western US, I cannot relate to the discrimination described and felt by the author. As with any religion outside the mainstream of the popular culture, Jews will always be considered as "different".We set ourselves apart from others by our values, moral beliefs, and our observances. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Dershowitz, Alan. M    5. General    6. Jewish Sociology    7. Jews    8. Lawyers    9. Politics and government    10. Practice Of Law    11. United States    12. United States - General    13. Biography: general    14. Jewish studies    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Job stress    3. Law    4. Lawyers    5. Practical Guides    6. Practice Of Law    7. Psychological aspects    8. Reference    9. Stress Management    10. United States    11. Reference / General   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career Planning (General)    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Careers - Other Specific Fields    6. Careers / Job Opportunities    7. Legal Profession    8. Legal assistants    9. Paralegal Services    10. Paralegals & Paralegalism    11. United States    12. Vocational guidance    13. Advice on careers & achieving success    14. Business & Economics / Careers    15. Careers & vocational guidance & advice    16. Legal skills & practice   

Reviews (8)

Excellent well-defined suggestions
Garner's book is helpful because: The Bible (one of them) for legal writing
I'm a former paralegal currently in law school, and one of the more difficult things about dealing with the law is making your writing sparkle... in the most succinct way possible. This book can help. With countless examples and snippets of wisdom culled from top legal minds, Bryan Garner has put together a fantastic resource. He takes the reader through the entire process of writing to the court, from brainstorming to the million (or 100, at least) ways to polish a document. An excellent handbook on legal writing.
This volume is by far the best work available on legal writing. Most of Prof. Garner's advice applies not merely to briefs but to memos, letters, and other persuasive or analytical forms. His chapters take you through every step of writing, from the earliest, painful efforts to collect your thoughts, through outlining, issue-framing, structuring an argument, and finally the specifics of sentence structure, word choice, and punctuation. Unlike many writing manuals, this book places emphasis where it is really needed: not on mechanics, but on the large structural tasks that can make or break a project. While some of Prof. Garner's formatting suggestions may not be acceptable in many jurisdictions, his more general advice -- the real reason for buying this book -- will be helpful everywhere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Briefs    2. Business Law    3. Criminal Law    4. Criminal Law - General    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Legal Writing    8. Legal composition    9. Reference    10. United States    11. Law / Legal Writing    12. Law | Legal Writing, Skills & Methods    13. Legal skills & practice    14. USA    15. Writing & editing guides    16. Writing skills   

Reviews (1)

Very practical.
This is a good book for any vocational or practical oriented program in paralegal or legal assistant studies.It contains lots of helpful hints, guidelines, and explanations of common areas for law office management.Very useful for learning the "how-to" of docket control, billing, file and records management, and general law office operations.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. General    4. Law offices    5. Legal Profession    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Legal Services    8. United States    9. Business & Economics / General    10. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry   

Reviews (2)

The Inside Scoop
In this insightful and yeomanly researched book, Karen Donovan paints a vivid picture of a man who has achieved iconic status among America's trial lawyers. Thanks to the access granted the author by David Boies, we get not only a ringside seat for some of the last decade's most high-profile trials, including, of course, the one that put the current occupant of the White House in office, but we're there for pre-trial strategy sessions and post-trial dinners as well. Throughout, Donovan maintains a keen-eyed objectivity and isn't afraid to deflate balloons of bravado when need be. All in all, it's a compelling read.

Author captures essence of multi tasking trial lawyer
Most of pieces of Boies border on idolatry. Donovan's work is special because although she clearly admires Boies and his work, she also points out his faults. The best reading in the book includes her digging behind the scenes to reveal what really happens in trials, settlements, and negotiations. While Boies is obviously one of the top trial lawyers in America, he often gets credit for things which areactually the result of other events. Donovan captures this wonderfully. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Boies, David    5. Lawyers & Judges    6. Legal History    7. Litigation    8. Practice Of Law    9. Trials    10. United States    11. Current Events / Law   

Subjects:  1. General Practice    2. Law    3. Legal Profession    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Practice of law    6. United States   

Reviews (2)

A walkthrough published by the American Bar Association
Now in a newly updated second edition, Going to Trial: A Step-by-Step Guide To Trial Practice And Procedure is a step-by-step walkthrough published by the American Bar Association. Describing the unique features of each procedural step of the trial from filing suit and jury selection to post-trial motions and the closing argument, Going to Trial includes sample reproducible forms and point-by-point bulletins that break down sometimes complex steps to their simplest basics. A 3 1/2" high density floppy diskette, formatted for the PC, offers 60 text files (Microsoft Word 6.0) that correspond to the 60 numbered forms in Going To Trial. This is the definitive resource for aspiring and practicing attorneys and a "must-read" for anyone who needs to know precisely what is involved.
Serving a Limited Purpose
I am one of the initial contributors to this trial primer from the ABA General Practice Section. The orignal authors, all veteran trial lawyers, produced a work designed to help the occaisonal litigator get through the morass of a jury trial.Read more

Subjects:  1. Civil Procedure    2. General    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Outlines, syllabi, etc    6. Trial practice    7. United States    8. Courts & procedure    9. Legal skills & practice    10. Reference / General   

Reviews (3)

When Mahogany Meets Testosterone
Not everyone has the necessary intellect and discipline to be a lawyer. But even among lawyers, there are the elites, and the elites within the elite. Of the half-million practicing law in the early 1980s, James B. Stewart tells us, only 3,000 work in the blue-chip corporate law firms "which occupy the pinnacle of the profession."
A great debut from James Stewart!
This was James Stewart's first book which portended the talent that would give us "Den of Thieves" and "Blood Sport," among others.Mr. Stewart is a great story teller - he can make a seemingly mundane subject into a real page-turner. The Partners offers fascinating insight into the rarified world of white-shoe New York law firms.Especially interesting is the story of Cravath, Swain and Moore - where attorneys work 10 years without a day of vacation and one attorney gets passed over for partnership because he rode a motorcycle to work.Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Interesting look at law's inner circle
This book, while based on incidents now over two decades old, is an interesting look into the oft-secret world of high-power, blue-chip law firms.Each chapter comprises a case study of a selected firm and its relationship to a corporation through a precis of a particular case.Various kinds of law, from takeovers, to trusts and estates, to litigation, and more, give the book a rounded view.Along with The Paper Chase and L-100, a must read for any prospective law student. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Infrastructure    3. Law firms    4. Law partnership    5. Lawyers    6. Practice Of Law    7. United States   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    3. General    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Law    7. Law (General)    8. Legal History    9. Legal Profession    10. Legal System    11. Legal assistants    12. Paralegals & Paralegalism    13. Philosophy Of Law    14. Politics / Current Events    15. United States    16. Business & Economics / General    17. Jurisprudence & General Issues    18. Jurisprudence & philosophy of law