Legal Books

Excellent read - fun, informative, insightful. Should be great learning tool for those new to the M&A world, and both healthy and entertaining to those who have experience already. Lederman is a very bright guy, and his writing style is that of a fine story-teller. Always clear... always interesting. An "older" book now, but gives interesting fundamentals to foundational strategies still important in 2000. (I just re-read, and am glad I did)

I enjoyed Lederman's writing style and imagine him to be a fairly modest man of extraordinary talent. I hold the CFA designation and my reading choices tend to be finance oriented with an occasional foray into pulp like "Rainmaker", "Predator's Ball", "Liar's Poker", and the other usual suspects. "Tombstones" renewed my appreciation for the legal aspects of M&A, which are introduced here by way of an interesting personal history. Lederman provides an introduction, rather than an exhaustive study, of tax and legal issues. This book drew me in much more than "Big Deal", which I have yet to finish. I recommend both, given Wasserstein's obvious accomplishments and his more contemporary account. "Tombstones" is first and foremost a very good story and thus more engrossing. Also, the lengthy disourse on Ian Reich was heartfelt and of peculiar interest given his reemergence on the front page of the WSJ.

Great book. Hearing the stories from the inside, it'll make you skin crawl to read about the largess of the 1980's. The book covers all the "greats": Keating, Pickens, Reagan and Miklen to name a few. This book would make a great movie.

Having taken an M&A course in law school and heard Larry Lederman tell personal stories of his M&A days, I had to read this book. It was insightful and read like a novel, despite covering large amounts of technical and financial data. Larry covers his beginning days of doing deals at Cravath and later at Wachtell, engineering some of the most novel dealmaking the world has ever seen in the process. Larry's sharp mind and hard work, along with a handful of other New York lawyers and bankers in the 1980s, helped transform the market into what it is today. Recommended read for any M&A lawyer or banker or for someone aspiring to be such.

Here are some professional reviews sent to my publisher:

"Campbell's book is magic. It sings. It dances. The law ought to be about people-- people in trouble, people with claims for justice who need to be heard. Art Campbell knows this. He also knows how to bring you into the lives of the people he has-- with wit, grit and dedication-- represented over the years. This is a great book. " -- Mike Tigar, internationally renowned trial attorney.

"Professor Campbell's Trial & Error reads like a fast paced work of fiction with fascinating real life experiences, laced with poetry. I am grateful that he had the insight to record and preserve these images from his life so that the public and a generation of lawyers will have the unique opportunity to peek into his past and share these vivid courtroom scenes, his keen wit and his growth as a burgeoning attorney. Campbell's journey, while sometimes painful, is remarkable for the intensity of his feelings and his single minded desire to always improve. And improve his does as we watch the birth of an outstanding lawyer. Sit back, read this book and be prepared an exciting tour through the eyes of a truly talented person." -- Mario Conte, former Executive Director of Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc.

"Art Campbell provides us with brilliant flashes of insight into the mysterious workings of the legal system. His prose poems are heart-wrenching, powerful, compelling. As an insider, Campbell is in an unique position to provide vivid glimpses at the colorful characters on both sides of the law. His prose poems are full of compassion and a generosity of spirit. In sharing with us his 'tales from the trenches,' he reveals the heart and soul of a young trial lawyer." -- Nancy Kim, lawyer and author of critically acclaimed novel CHIMHOMINEY's SECRET.

"For anyone who is now, or ever has been, or ever wants to be, a criminal defense lawyer, Art Campbell's book of prose poetry is a must read. Art, who has been there and done that, is a compelling storyteller of the life of one representing criminal defendants- good, the bad and the ugly; not even the judges are spared his acerbic pen." -- Rt. Hon. James Stiven, Judge, San Diego Superior Court, Retired.

"Lawyers, the best and the worst of them, are storytellers. When the stories cluster around an ever elusive justice, as they do in Campbell's Trial and Error, law amounts to little more than tragedy. And yes, there are a few hard fought victories for clients along the way. The law, as we see in Campbell's stories, is a life of the bitter and the sweet; it makes for lawyers, a topsy-turvy life." -- Jim Elkins, Law Professor and Editor of The Legal Studies Forum.

In musical prose and poignant self-analysis, Art Campell's tales of his early years as a defense attorney in Washington, DC, are ripe with clear-eyed portraits of the down-and-out, the untrustworthy, and the over-confident, namely, Campbell himself in the guise of the young self-proclaimed "freedom lawyer." Whether his clients are innocent or guilty matters not to this author---it's his defendants' humanity that propels him. With each drug dealer or burglar, he tries to find a way for the law to bring stability to their wayward lives. That rarely happens. I loved reading the deftly told "The Thanksgiving Addict" about a man Campbell thought he had saved but couldn't or "The Weird Case" in which the trial becomes a showdown over due process for the client and not the client's guilt. The judge's verdict is often a surprise but the truth of what the law, the prosecution, and the accused teach Campbell about life is not.

From the first to the last page, Art takes me to legal hearings, describing strategy, tactics, sharing his victories and defeats. Each poem is a mini-lesson for anyone interested in Law, and in Defending, in particular. A quick, fun book, not easy to put down.

Art uses interesting and colorful language; afterall it's prose poems -"...how easily a defense can crash when splayed on spindly legs." (p49); "...drawn a warp and woof of words..." (p54).

I enjoyed the many adages and quotes sprinkled throughout the poems, like "...When facts stand against you, pound the law. When law stands against you, pound the facts. When both stand against you, pound the podium." (p94) and the Contemporary Zen adage: "A closed mouth gathers no foot." (113).

I plan to order Art's next book - Trial & Error Volume II: For the Prosecution.

What a surprise to find a book written by an attorney about being an attorney that is rich in insight and yet doesn't take itself too seriously. In language that ranges from profoundly true to wryly ridiculous, this collection of story poems follows a student lawyer from his idealistic beginnings through the end of his first year by which time he has become the first student lawyer to argue before his state's Supreme Court. Along the way he wins some and loses some and learns that to some clients saving face is more important than the verdict. This is not a glamorous view of the law but it's clear as you read that Campbell loves the law and respects even the lowliest of his clients. He calls himself a freedom lawyer because he knows that all of us -- the scarred exheroin addict, the man denied a jury of his peers, the boy in the wrong place at the wrong time -- depend on the the fair administration of justice for our freedom. This was lots of fun to read.

This book is a must-read for any trial lawyer, and especially for criminal defense lawyers. It is a very inspiring book. John Tucker is my hero!

John Tucker offers a wealth of tactical insights gleaned from an impressive career as a litigator, mixing the pathos of legal practice for good causes with the legal theories deployed on behalf of a wide array of clients.

By striving for objectivity, Tucker avoids the self-aggrandizing tone of some other such memoirs and instead focuses on the meaty tactics, the rush to file, the strategies behind certain suits, and a bit of background to explain why things mattered to him. The diverse cases he litigated at every level, from initial motions to the Supreme Court, are presented fairly. Many are not the blockbuster cases one might have heard of - esp. Clark v. Universal Builders - the case Tucker fought for harder than any other, and though he ended up losing in court, some sort of justice prevailed. Tucker's may be the only enduring account, and as such, he offers a gift to litigators and civil rights activists alike.

Two flaws: first, the promotional packaging focuses on the Chicago Eight case, in which Tucker played a small part, as if it were the focus of the book. It's not. In some 20 pages of 360, Tucker explores it and moves on. Lazy publisher might not have read further...More relevant, Tucker evades criticizing his partners and associates (his piercing critique of Judge Hoffman drips with justified acidity), dropping only a subtle hint about other frictions. But that's a forgivable indulgence: who could fault him for refraining from offering anything but praise for mentors and colleagues?

Tucker's career is a model for litigators worthy of emulating. While much has changed since he started practicing, the ongoing struggle for justice (and clients able to pay for it) goes on.

A must read for future litigators, if only for the tactical insights.

For any who lack faith in the America's legal system or think all lawyers are worthy subjects of jokes, Tucker's book is the proverbial lightbulb in the cave. Tucker recounts his journey through a lengthy career as a trial lawyer and along the way demonstrates that our judicial system, while short of perfect, is still the best in the world. Tucker helped the poor, the wealthy, the politically powerful and powerless and the reviled through the judicial system. Some cases he won; some he lost.
Win or lose, however, Tucker fought the good fight for his clients, often pro bono.
His story is complete. He reveals the importance of trial preparation -- an element that truly separates competent lawyers from their clumsy brethern (the latter of which I always seem to retain; while the former retain me as an expert witness). Tucker tells some wonderful stories about judges, good and bad. Like Tucker, I am from the Chicago area and am very familiar with bad judges. Tucker discloses that there have been many good judges in the area as well and provides useful insight into their judicial reasoning.
All in all, a wonderful book that will redeem lost faith in our judicial system. "Trial and Error" is not a courtroom thriller: it is far better than one -- it's real life and I for one am glad that Tucker decided to take the time to write his memoir. It is well worth reading.

Jerry

Twenty-one different courtroom cases are covered in this book by a most successful attorney who has his head on straight; by that I mean he mixes the intricacies of the law with living a "normal" life. He certainly puts in long hours in preparation, but that goes along with his job. The author states, "In the American Legal System, a lawyer's job is not to seek justice, but to win the case for his client." He relates many interesting cases, but two exceptional ones are defending a rapist who is truly mentally defective and one about defending the "Chicago Eight" in 1968. A lot of detailed information about that political incident is fascinating. Mr. Tucker does a lot of pro bono work and one of this type was defending the Contract Buyers League in Chicago...a race conflict of great proportions. Fine writing delineates complex legal cases that are most understandable.

If anyone is interested in reading about a physician(neurologist) who has learned the ropes of the court system and whoentertains the reader with forensic medical tales, this is the book to read and savor. Although Dr. Klawans is a frequent medical expert witness for both sides of the versus, he does not hesitate to use the term "hired gun" for impartial medical experts and minces no words in describing the shortcomings of the tort system. In case after case, Dr. Klawans describes how the system works as he plays the role of expert for both plaintiffs and defendants in medical malpractice cases. I recommend this book particularly for physicians who need a distraction from the present travails of corporate socialized medicine (managed care). It will also help them get through the ropes of the court system, if and when he or she is summoned to participate in courtroom proceedings and chances are, he or she will!

Miguel A. Faria, Jr., M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the Medical Sentinel of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) and author of Medical Warrior: Fighting Corporate Socialized Medicine.

This text is an excellent reference which contains many
cases on clinical malpractice . The author details the
facts of each case and presents legal outcomes together with
the individual stories behind each legal complaint. This book
is a goldmine for anyone even considering the formulation of
a legal claim against a doctor or institution. The author
explains many of the fine legal nuances in plain English.
Here is a typical sample:

"The jury gave Mrs. Cook over one million dollars. It was the
first malpractice case in which TD resulted in a million-dollar
verdict for the plaintiff. It was not all that much money, considering the outcome. Mrs. Cook has severe contorting movements that she cannot control. There are no medicines that can help her. The standard ones we use reserpine and tetrabenazine, tend to cause severe depression in susceptible individuals. And no one could be more susceptible than Mrs.Cook."

As a newly-trained neurologist, I was fascinated by these tales of neurology and the law, from both plaintiff's and defense's viewpoint. Though the stories are dated, the general principles are all too true, and teach physician and patient alike why lawsuits occur.

Dr. Klawans protected the patients and lawyers in these cases by keeping them anonymous in this very readable book. There is no index. Chapter 1 tells how he became an expert witness when treating a patient as a neurologist. Chapter 2 tells of a sad case on iatrogenic water intoxication. Most malpractice cases involve average doctors who made a mistake (p.38). Chapter 3 tells why you have to ask the right questions to get the right answers. Chapter 4 discusses the EEGs of Jack Ruby. The importance of winning for an expert witness is in Chapter 5. One of the most important chapters is on carotid stenosis in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 explains the importance or reading labels on laundry products and following their instructions. "Therapeutic Misadventure" is explained in Chapter 8; did Dr. Parks refer Mrs. Schwartz to Dr. Cooper by mistake? Sleep drunkenness is explained in Chapter 9, and its consequences (pp.136-137).

Chapter 10 tells of a woman who had difficulty falling, she said. The rare third-nerve injury is explained in Chapter 11, and the difference between fiction and a scientific article. Chapter 12 tells of the Trial of Dan White, who shot the San Francisco mayor and another politician. The trial record has been impounded! Chapter 13 explains tardive dyskinesia, an iatrogenic disease caused by long-term exposure to drugs used to treat schizophrenia. No treatment may mean years of psychosis. If you want to know the reason for malpractice suits, read Chapter 13. It has both the good and the bad. Chapter 14 examines the "insanity" of Ezra Pound. Dr. Klawans does not appreciate the reactionary politics of that era. If a woman uses birth control pills, smoking increases the chances of having a stroke. This can create aphasia (Chapter 15).

Chapter 16 explains the disease dystonia. Dr. Klawans explained how hysteria could be mistake for this disease when the patient could gain from this disease. Could somebody escape from the police by checking into a hospital room as an AIDS patient (p.245)? The dangers of lead poisoning for children are documented in Chapter 17. Drugs, as well as premature birth, can affect a child's brain permanently. The dangers of smoking too much too long are described in Chapter 18. This is one cause of emphysema. This leads to a buildup of blood CO2 levels. But the real cause of death was human error (p.271)! The last chapter tells of a woman who had an accident in a federal office building, and began to feel tired and sleepy a lot (a common sigh of depression). The clothes worn by Dr. Klawans swayed the federal judge! Is this a warning against an inquisitorial system where the judge is also the jury?

Charles Skoller's story reads like a murder mystery. A relentless DA pursues and eventually convicts the murderer in second trial. "Law and Order" couldn't have done a better job. Kudos to Mr. Skoller for his story and his conviction of the killer of Barbara Kralik.

As a trial lawyer with 40 years of court experience, I can truly say that Twisted Confessions is one of the most exciting and legally accurate true tales to come along for many years. Mr. Skoller's narration of the actual criminal trials of two confessed murderers and strategies employed therein make it seem like the reader is a part of the entire courtroom drama. I highly recommend this book . The reader will not be able to put it down until it is finished.

Submitted by Frank C. Simone, Esquire on behalf of:



Craig B. Sherman, Esquire

Sherman Law Offices, Chartered

1000 Corporate Drive, Suite 310

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334

Ph: (954) 489-9500, ext. 207

Fax: (954) 489-9531

E-mail: cbs@shermanlegal.com

I could not put this engrossing true mystery down and was delighted to read it in just 2 days. It tells a very important story of a DA's search for justice in the face of conflicting confessions involving the widely publicized murders of a young woman and a young girl in NYC in the 1960's. An excellent book well worth reading and more enthralling than current detective fiction. Many of us remember the horrific controversy over the terrible public murder of the young woman Kitty Genovese heard and seen by over 30 neighbors who did nothing to report it or attempt to aid the victim. This is the true tale of the prosecutions which followed.Do buy it and read it.

" Twisted Confessions" reads like a novel but is the true story of two crimes linked together-two men confessed to the same murder. The Kitty Genovese death was reported country wide- timid, negligent neighbors did not alert anyone to her death screams. The Barbara Kralik killing had
Kitty's killer confessing subsequent to someone else also admitting guilt.
The author weaves these two crimes so that even though you might suspect the outcome you're still anxious to get to the next page.
Skoller is a dedicated professional whose concern for the victims' families is balanced with his hand on "LADY JUSTICE".
This book should be required reading for aspiring law students AND those already admitted to practice. "True Confessions" shows the system works and Charles Skoller is the "turn key".

The most striking thing about this book is the extensive use of examples throughout the book. One of the main problems in understanding the law is trying to figure out how it applies to your particular situation. The use of examples is one of the best ways for an author to explain the various aspects of any law. In this book, the author did such a fantastic job that I have picked up the book at various times in the last decade to figure out how I can solve my own particular immigration problem and I was able to fix it very fast. He does such a great job that I got carried away by the confidence the book inspires and decided to handle one of the more difficult immigration situations myself. It worked out alright but in hindsight, I should have taken the assistance of a lawyer to make things easier for myself.

Another tremendous advantage in using this book is the latest updates available through the author's website (you will have to find this yourself using Google since Amazon reviews are not allowed to have web addresses in them - any addresses will be removed automatically). Immigration law is constantly changing and it is risky to follow the advice of any book since it would be outdated the day it was printed. The author is a well known authority on the subject and in the past, I have seen that he has always been very prompt in posting updates to the book between editions and also giving his interpretations of the latest changes to the U.S. Immigration law.

One thing I was told by several immigration lawyers in 1997 is that you don't need to find a local lawyer for immigration related issues. I am not sure if this is still true but what it means is that you don't have to despair if you live in an area that doesn't have a great immigration lawyer. You can always find someone with a good reputation that may be in another state. Based on the number of immigration issues I have gone through, I would strongly recommend anyone in similar shoes to be armed with the knowledge gained through books like this one, but still consult a good lawyer (especially if you are in a complicated situation).

The final step that I have pending is becoming a U.S. citizen (I am a permanent resident right now) and I am using this book to take care of this by myself. I wish you all the best of luck and I hope you find this book as valuable as I did.

This is the best book on this subject available. I am a new citizen to this country, and it would have not happened so easily without this great book. Thank you, Mr. Wernick.

This is an excellent book for anyone going through the hurdles of US Immigration. The author covers all bases and still keeps the text easy to read and easy to reference. I have seen Mr. Wernick speak and have read his authoritative newspaper column and this book lives up to his usual high standards. It is the only book of its kind you will need and with the high cost of legal advice, you will save time and money.

I just read the 3rd edition of professor Wernick's "U.S. Immigration and Citizenship" book and never felt more confident filing papers with the INS. Moreover, in his currently updated edition Allan Wernick explains the intricacies of the immigration law so clearly that even a layman can grasp its basic concepts. The procedures are illustrated by real stories, each one a distinct immigration problem, which translate the dry and complicated legal lingo into plain English that may be eastily understood in the immigrant communities. This very carefully designed book touches on all important aspects of the immigration procedures and explaines recent changes in the law.
Considering that every Thursday the author answers immigration questions in his Daily News column (I am an avid reader), I must say that Allan Wernick's book is the only up-to-date book on the market. Before you spend your money on a lawyer, I strongly recommend to check out Allan Wernick's "US Immigration and Citizenship."

I have been able to find only one volume by Herbert--it was published by Methuen in 1935, and republished in 1969. This author is exceptionally good, funny, and stimulating. Somebody should make all of his writing available.

This book is riotously funny for anyone with even a modicum of legal training. I recommend it to all of my students and peers.

Is a flodded road a street or a waterway?? - Rumpelheimer v. Haddock -

Is marriage lawful or should it be considered kindred to (russian?) roulett or other games of chance and therefore be prohibited? - Marrowfat v. Marrowfat -

Is there a right of free speech or it true that the only freedom one has left e.g. on a public street is to pass at an even pace from ome end of it to another breathing unobtrusively through the nose and attracting no attention? - Engheim et.al. v. The King -

If these are the legal questions of everyday life or of eternal significance you would like to read about, then this book is for you.

Reissued in paperback in 1997, these knowing spoofs of British courts appeared 1940-1960. Madcap Englishmen litigate divorce, compulsory schooling, using a cow as a check, etc., before judges and law lords who are as idiosyncratic as the parties to the cases. (See Herbert's biography.)

I am very happy with the product I received. Actually, received it before the estimated arrival date. Fast, Easy, and Great Service.

Even a putz like me can understand Dr. McGuire's insightful romp into the world of the Supreme Court. I believe that this would be a great addition to any classroom study of law and the court system.

Clarity is a highpoint of Dr. McGuire's work.

Even a putz like me can understand Dr. McGuire's insightful romp into the world of the Supreme Court. I believe that this would be a great addition to any classroom study of law and the court system.

Clarity is a highpoint of Dr. McGuire's work.

This is a terrific book that explains the "ins and outs" of the Supreme Court. McGuire takes you inside the action through a series of in-depth case studies. He looks at the nominations of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas, and cases the Court decided that deal with federal control of the drinking age, racial discrimination in the death penalty, free speech for organized crime figures, and campaign finance law. But, he chooses these cases wisely, because each of them is used to illustrate the findings of political science research. The stories McGuire tells are great to read, but you end up learning a lot about the things that determine how the Court makes its decisions, from the law and Court precedent to interest groups and the justices' own personal preferences. He's really very fair in his evaluation of these issues, too. McGuire packs a lot of information into this little book, so if you're looking for a great way to learn about the politics of the Supreme Court, this is it!

This novel is for anyone who is tired of the usual no brainer romantic thrillers. It is filled with a multitude of uniquely developed characters
who could at any time change Joe Niles final fate with the tinyest twist or turn. A day in the life of Joe Nile gives the reader a rare glimpse into the prestigious, financially secure life of a patent attorney, Joe Niles. Oh, but, wait! Then there is the the cut throat competition, treachery, and as his legal aid, Erica, claims, murderous conspiracy! The author swirls all this together to allow the reader to escape to a world of intrigue, mystery technology and occassional comic relief. A great week end escape!

I loved reading about Joe Nile's adventures and mis-adventures (especially when he visits the local Fredericks of Hollywood!)all while learning more about the murky world of patent abuse. Wondering if Joe was going to save himself, his firm, the world and still manage to get the girl makes this a legal page-turner with a lot of heart.

Gripping thriller. Character developement was excellent. Hard book to put down after you start. Very enlightening, educational, interesting, and easy to understand, explanations regarding dyfunctional aspects of current US patent enforcement/litigation realities, as reflected in many real ongoing high profile US patent litigations (e.g., Blackbury).

I loved this book. It is the first legal thriller I have read to feature a transactional lawyer, patent lawyer Joe Nile, as the hero rather than the usual litigators. There are a number of interwoven plots. One deals with the malicious effects of the modern patent system. Another deals with the preparation for a public stock offering and the crucial role of the patent lawyer in evaluating that value of the patents. All set within a large law firm with the long hours, the need to collect fees, risk of falling behind less ethical competitors, and the compensating rewards of exciting work, high stakes, interesting colleagues and office romance. The other characters include the Japanese partner facing humiliation after a court loss, the off-beat Turkish born-again Muslim engineer, the egotistical Indian junior patent attorney and the sharp tongued paralegal.

Hard to put down once started.

An all around entretaining book. I just did not like the law enforcement example

book provides outstanding methods of how to deal with difficult people in stressful situations. I've used the techniques as a law enforcement supervisor and the officers were quite impressed that I was able to talk an erratic behaving person into compliance without ever using physical force. The guidelines in the book apply to anyone that has ever been exposed to a difficult and dangerous confrontation with other people. You just follow the guidelines and make them apply to your specific situation.
sgt t. short

Verbal Judo is not only a MUST for anyone in Law Enforcement, Public Safety or Security, but a potential life saver for just about anyone. It has been a favorite of mine for a while now. Written in very plain understandable language, the tactics are laid out in a very easy to follow manner. The "do's and don't's" of Verbal Judo are VERY easy to remember, and after you read this book (or, better yet, take a course), the right words will magically pop out of your mouth at the proper time. I have personally found this method to be the fastest method of de-escalating conflict and gaining control over situations without the use of physical force. The book is easy to read and the simple logic behind the principles makes perfect sense. Subject matter is broken down in a way that makes it easy to follow, and even if you are not a "reader", you will enjoy this.

The book is very good however, if you have a chance to take the course, don't miss it! I have been a certified Verbal Judo instructor for over 9 years and it has literally changed my life for the better in every area... and I mean that!