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Newsletter SignupIf you’re reading this blog, it’s likely because you’re either a legal professional with an empty bookshelf or you’re trying to come up with a gift idea for the lawyer in your life who’s impossible to buy for. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of law, books are one of the few things that can consistently bring smiles to people’s faces and allow readers to live a thousand lives.
Laws and regulations may come and go, but stories and lessons are evergreen. The following treasure trove of books will hopefully enrich your mind, broaden your perspectives, and sharpen your skills.
There’s no denying that law school textbooks have a purpose, but these wordy and typically boring reads don’t hold a candle to guides and books written by graduates who create the resource they wish they had.
Law school can often feel isolating and overwhelming, and it’s easy to think you’re not living up to the ideal law student image. However, as Professor Kathryne M. Young, author of How to Be Sort of Happy in Law School, suggests, there isn’t a single correct way to navigate law school—you can shape your own unique journey. Drawing from her own law school experience and a sociological study, Young provides practical advice on maintaining mental balance, selecting courses and activities, managing your household and budget, building relationships with mentors and peers, and even recognizing when it might be time to leave law school.
As the school year draws to a close, Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, a law professor at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, often finds law students in his office, teary-eyed and frustrated. They confide that if they had known at the start what they learned by the end, they would be much further along. Jonathan Yusef Newton, a non-traditional law student, experienced a similar journey, mentoring peers and sharing insights he had gained about the system. Both Ferguson and Newton independently recognized the need for a guide to demystify these unwritten rules. After a conversation in Ferguson’s office, they decided to collaborate, combining Ferguson’s expertise as a law professor with Newton’s fresh perspective as a recent graduate. The result was The Law of Law School: The Essential Guide for First-Year Law Students.
You may be done with law school and the bar exam, but you still need to prove yourself. The following books will help you strategically kickstart your career.
A lawyerly mind extends its value far beyond the courtroom, proving especially advantageous in family matters, civic engagement, and healthcare choices. While this book, written by a law school professor, is intended for the general public, the decision making skills and thought patterns serve as great refreshers for recent graduates, applied in unique settings that you may not have considered.
This book explores the evolution of the American legal profession. Although Ray Brescia, the author, discusses the problematic exclusionary efforts preventing diverse voices from joining the field in the late 19th and early 20th century to the mental illness struggles and substance-use levels of today, Lawyer Nation is not a depressing read. Rather, it offer a glimpse of hope with proposed solutions and encouraging predictions.
If you break a sweat when a room full of people look your way or count down the minutes until you get alone time, this book is for you. Professor Heidi K. Brown, the author of The Introverted Lawyer, gives thoughtful tips on honoring yourself, affirming what’s true and embracing the blush.
Joining a large law firm can open the door to more high-profile cases and give you the financial freedom you might need to pay off law school debts and build the life you’ve always dreamed of.
There’s no doubt that Laura Frederick is a seasoned contracting pro. With over 25 years of experience in business contracts and technology agreements, she could crush goals in her sleep! This Linkedin wizard launched her own law practice after years in BigLaw and as an in-house attorney for companies like Tesla. Initially relying solely on referrals for the first year, she found that her LinkedIn connections quickly broadened opportunities for her legal practice and training. Her book is jam-packed with lessons she learned on her journey and hacks you’ll want to bookmark.
Mark Herrmann, a seasoned attorney with over 20 years at Jones Day, offers insights that you might wish a reserved senior lawyer would share. In his book, The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Practicing Law, Second Edition, Herrmann combines a touch of sarcasm with plenty of humor to explain how to succeed in the legal profession.
Anyone entering BigLaw knows that there’s going to be a big list of software that you’ll need to master. Ease your anxiety of change and prepare yourself for future shifts with this interesting book from Heinan Landa.
Ready to go solo? Luckily you won’t need to reinvent the wheel, as thousands of others who have come before you have learned exactly what to do and what not to do to not only stay afloat but excel.
For many lawyers, work-life balance is a never-ending struggle. Adding business development and networking to your list of responsibilities may seem like the ultimate path to overwhelm, but it doesn’t have to be. Deb Feder wrote After Hello to help attorneys have “curious, confident conversations” and give you techniques to sustainably build and nurture relationships.
After reading this book, you’ll be able to confidently gain the attention of your peers and run meetings effectively. Whether you’re leading a Zoom call of five or giving a keynote to a room of 5,000, author Jim Slaughter has tried and true recommendations that will give you the edge so many presenters and communicators wish they had.
Finances can be challenging for new firm owners who often face high student loans and opportunity costs despite their earning potential. In The Lawyer Millionaire, Darren P. Wurz provides guidance on managing both personal and firm finances, addressing common money mistakes, and planning for a “work-optional lifestyle” while highlighting the potential value of selling one’s practice as a retirement strategy.
Whether you’re burned out, bored or bummed out, you might reach a time where you’re ready to leave the legal profession.
You don’t have to wait until the standard age of retirement to exit your current role. With Kevin McGoff’s worksheets and planning templates, you can intentionally design what your life after the practice of law might look like.
No job should cost you your health. If the practice of law makes you anxious, ill, or mentally drained, you are invited to find freedom with Wendy Tamis Robbins’ enlightening book.
TikTok sensation and law grad Jon Kung took a leap of faith and quickly learned that they enjoyed the kitchen more than the courtroom. This successful Chinese American chef’s cookbook serves as proof that you can build your own recipe for success.
View our full list of book recommendations on Amazon here.
Legal Talk Network is a podcast network for legal professionals with hosts from well-known organizations and brands in legal. Over 20 active podcasts cover important legal news and developments, including access to justice, law school, industry events, legal technology, and the future of law.
