This book is a compilation of legal and law-related statements that have defined and characterized our legal system over the centuries. But the reader will quickly recognize that it is not a textbook in disguise. The quotations, and the actions and ideas they present and represent were selected by purely personal criteria: the author found them fascinating, important, or revealing. They range from history-changing statements (Henry II's "will no one rid me of this turbulent priest ") to purely mythological encounters (Lincoln's cross-examination of "Sovine" about the phase the moon was in when a murder took place) to royal chit-chat (a devastating remark a high-born lady made to the fugitive King James II which can be viewed as the final word on English royal tyranny) to an apology made in a casual encounter on an American street that symbolized the healing of a terrible cultural wound. The hope is to convey, not a rigid history, but a random flavor of how the law has been shaped by calculated, casual, powerful, and even silly words, uttered for the ages or merely for the moment.

This disparate verbal collection tells us that our legal system is not like a carefully sculptured statue, but like a human being, is composed of all that it has known and done and said.

The writer has been deprived of his license to practice law in three states. The basis for these court orders was a confidential complaint made by the writer about the misconduct of a United States District Judge. The complaints included evidence, which pointed to the judge's financial ties to litigators with matters in his court. Nevertheless, the judge's misconduct was overlooked by supervising judges. The writer reviews the court order which drove him from the practice of law. "The point of all this," he concludes, "was to banish me from the legal profession, not to find the truth since bringing truth into the light of day would have been uncomfortable for" the judge. From the book: "Any professional regulatory authority empowered to deprive its members of their reputation and their ability to earn an income should be subject to the highest standards of objectivity and fairness. In the legal community, the opposite is the norm. The rules which govern the behavior of lawyers are explicitly intended to overlook complaints about the venal and self-interested behavior of the most powerful members of the profession. The judges make the rules and see to their own insulation from criticism, oversight and transparency in their dealings with persons interested in judicial outcomes. The judges take pains to block any examination of their off-the-books income streams. Those who are so incautious as to rely on the prescribed complaint rules and who come forward, confidentially, to object to obvious instances of be-robed venality are themselves subjected to the severest sanction." Consideration of salary increases for the judges should be put on hold, the writer asserts. Why? Better rules than the "bogus revised" ones are needed immediately. "In writing their own ethics rules, the judges have given themselves impunity to accept bribes." The writer offers prescriptive comments, including the text of a "Best Practices Declaration," which should be binding upon any who seek a position on the bench, local state or federal.

Great poker players are master tacticians. Not only do they calculate odds with lightning speed and astonishing precision, but they also cunningly anticipate and manipulate the actions of their adversaries. In short, they boast skills that every lawyer can envy. This highly entertaining work might best be summed up as "better lawyering through poker." Steven Lubet shows exactly how the tactics of the poker table can be adapted to litigation, negotiation, and virtually every aspect of law practice. In a series of engaging and informative lessons, Lubet describes concepts like "betting for value," "slow playing," and "reverse bluffing," and explains how they can be used by lawyers to win their cases. The best card players, like the best lawyers, have a knack for getting their adversaries to react exactly as they want, and that talent separates the winners from the losers. Lawyers' Poker is an irresistible guide to successful lawyering and an enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in law. No poker knowledge required.

This early work on law is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains details on the meanings of legal terms and their uses. This is a fascinating work and thoroughly recommended for law students. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

The twenty-first century global world order creates fundamental challenges for the American model of legal education. This professional model cannot focus only on one domestic legal system isolated from the rest of the world. American law students need a realistic exposure to a transnational legal perspective in the contemporary global legal environment. This objective can be achieved in three stages. The first step requires a first year introductory course setting the foundation in public and private international law with the fundamental understanding of the comparative law methodology to grasp legal problems and institutions transcending through national boundaries. In the second stage, the transnational perspective should be emphasized in every domestic course, in the expanded coverage of public and private international law, and in the comparative law curriculum. Finally, in the third stage, law students should have the opportunity to apply their transnational learning experience by selecting an intellectually and professionally stimulating topic for academic research. Through this research, the student should focus not only on developing a thesis and writing a research quality seminar paper, but also on the potential for publication of the paper in law reviews and other legal journals. This concise Guide to Legal Research and Writing from the Transnational Perspective can be used as a practical tool in the critical third stage of the transnational legal education process. Concise practical tips will assist students in the research and writing process. Samples of articles written by the author will provide a model for scholarly writing. Professor Francis A. Gabor, is a Professor of Law at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and a regular visiting professor at the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. He has been teaching in the area of public and private international law and comparative and immigration law. Professor Gabor's research interest is focused on current issues of international trade and investments in Central-Eastern Europe. His treatise on Foreign Investment in Hungary was published by Parker School of Foreign and Comparative Law at Columbia University of New York.

This unique book offers a practical guide to deconstructing judgments for the purpose of fair criticism and appeal. It shows how judgments are written and examines the style and language of judges expressing judicial opinion. The work is founded upon independent research in the form of interviews conducted with judges at every level from deputy district judge to Lords of Appeal in ordinary, and the practical application of existing academic material more usually devoted to the structure and analysis of wider prose writing. It is illustrated by reference to reported judgments, both well-known and obscure, of the past 100 years. Contents include: . The nature of judgment. How to read a judgment. The use of language in judicial opinion. Argument and legal logic. Fair criticism. Writing judgments. How judges decide. The appellate judgment. Problems with law reporting. Judicial style It will assist vocational and research students alike - as well as fascinate those interested more general in the law and judicial process.

Every year, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people apply to Canadian law schools, vying for just over 2,000 coveted spots. The competition is even fiercer when applying for a law job. Adam Letourneau, B.Sc., B.A., LL.B., 2005 graduate of the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, former Editor-in-Chief of the Alberta Law Review and owner of Letourneau Law, Barristers & Solicitors, reveals in this 2nd Edition many insider tips on how to gain admittance to law school in Canada, how to cope and succeed in law school, and most importantly, how to land a coveted law job post-graduation. Drawing upon personal experience and the experiences of numerous Canadian law school graduates, Letourneau shares insights on the LSAT, applying for law school, study strategies, summer jobs, the articling application process and much more. Letourneau will save you hours of research, hours of study and tons of stress. Including new law school graduate comments, updated admissions information, what being a lawyer is like, salary updates and more. For more information go to www.canadianlawschool.ca. Part of the Writing on Stone Press Canadian Career Series.

Finally, a simple, fun book to show you how to study for law school, how to outline, and how to write Grade A exams By a practicing lawyer with the top grade in 3 of 5 first year law classes.

Socio-legal researchers increasingly recognise the need to employ a wide variety of methods in studying law and legal phenomena, and the need to be informed by an understanding of debates about theory and method in mainstream social science. The papers in this volume illustrate how a range of topics, including EU law, ombudsmen, judges, lawyers, Shariah Councils and the quality assurance industry can be researched from a socio-legal perspective. The objective of the collection is to show how different methods can be used in researching law and legal phenomena, how methodological issues and debates in sociology are relevant to the study of law, and the importance of the debate between "structural" and "action" traditions in researching law. It also approaches the methodological problem of how sociology of law can address the content of legal practice from a variety of perspectives and discusses the relationship between pure and applied research. The editors provide a critical introduction to each of the six sections, and a general introduction on law, sociology and method. The collection will provide an invaluable resource for socio-legal researchers, law school researchers and postgraduates.

This book deals with the major hurdles that all students must face: examinations. To overcome this barrier, it is important that the exam process is fully understood by students and that the techniques used by successful examinees are thoroughly mastered. Written in a clear, accessible style, Exam Skills for Law Students demonstrates how good students can do themselves justice in examinations by using the knowledge that they have acquired to full effect. The authors suggest ways in which legal arguments can be marshalled and identify methods by which both essay and problem questions can be tackled. Examples are drawn from the core subjects of contract, criminal law, public law and the law of torts, although techniques illustrated can be applied to many other areas of law. This will be an invaluable aid to any students taking academic law examinations.

A History of Child Protection in America is the first comprehensive history of American efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect. The book begins in colonial times and chronicles child protection into the twenty-first century. Among the important nineteenth century events detailed in these pages are the rise of orphanages for "dependent" children, the "orphan trains" operated by the New York Children's Aid Society, the birth of the juvenile court, the reforms of the Children's Progressive Era, and the dramatic rescue of Mary Ellen Wilson, which led to the creation of the world's first organization devoted entirely to child protection, the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Twentieth century milestones include the gradual transition from private child protection societies to government operated child protection, the obscurity of child abuse from the 1920's to the 1960's, the "discovery" of child abuse in 1962, and the creation of the child protection system we know today.

This anthology features accessible, enjoyable, thought-provoking essays on timely legal issues by prominent journalists and scholars. Selected from well-known magazines like Atlantic Monthly, Harvard Business Review, The New Yorker, Slate, and Vanity Fair, each essay explores an important question currently being debated in our counts. Should government intervene in the business of a free market? Should people of the same sex be allowed to marry? Should religious icons be displayed in government buildings? Is a college student who mixes music on his laptop a thief? Any reader who would like to gain insight into the workings of the legal system while taking pleasure in excellent writing will enjoy this valuable collection. Including: Vikram Amar on What's Wrong with the Modern Jury Alex Beam on Big Tobacco and Greed Richard Thompson Ford on Gay Marriage Christopher Hitchens on Appalling Misdemeanors Ken I. Kersch on Multilateralism in the Courts Bryan Lonegan on Heartbreaking Deportations Nina Martin on Exoneration Hilary Rosen and Lawrence Lessig on Copyright Rod Smola on The Ten Commandments Eliot Spitzer on Business and Government Jeffrey Toobin on Gerrymandering

This is version 1.0 and it is not the current version. Please go to THE TRIANGLE I"F LAW(R) -- Version 1.1

"Diversity" has become a mantra within discussions of university admissions policies and many other arenas of American society. In the essays collected here, Sanford Levinson, a leading scholar of constitutional law and American government, wrestles with various notions of diversity. He begins by explaining why he finds the concept to be almost useless as a genuine guide to public policy. Discussing affirmative action in university admissions, including the now famous University of Michigan Law School case, he argues both that there may be good reasons to use preferences-including race and ethnicity-and that these reasons have relatively little to do with any cogently developed theory of diversity. Distinguished by Levinson's characteristic open-mindedness and willingness to tease out the full implications of various claims, each of these nine essays, written over the past decade, develops a case study focusing on a particular aspect of public life in a richly diverse, and sometimes bitterly divided, society.Although most discussions of diversity have focused on race and ethnicity, Levinson is particularly interested in religious diversity and its implications. Why, he asks, do arguments for racial and ethnic diversity not also counsel a concern to achieve religious diversity within a student body? He considers the propriety of judges drawing on their religious views in making legal decisions and the kinds of questions Senators should feel free to ask nominees to the federal judiciary who have proclaimed the importance of their religion in structuring their own lives. In exploring the sense in which Sandy Koufax can be said to be a "Jewish baseball player," he engages in broad reflections on professional identity. He asks whether it is desirable, or even possible, to subordinate merely "personal" aspects of one's identity-religion, political viewpoints, gender-to the impersonal demands of the professional role. Wrestling with Diversity is a powerful interrogation of the assumptions and contradictions underlying public life in a multicultural world.

This collection cuts across conventional disciplinary boundaries to address the roles, responsibilities, and regulation of contemporary lawyers. Contributors address common concerns from diverse perspectives, including philosophy, psychology, economics, political science, and organisational behaviour. Topics include the nature of professions, the structure of practice, the constraints of an adversarial system, the attorney-client relationship, the practical value of moral theory, the role of race and gender, and the public service responsibilities of lawyers and law students.

Effective Writing: A Handbook with Stories for Lawyers offers specific advice on how to write effectively the many kinds of writing lawyers do in actual practice.. It considers what makes writing effective in letters of various kinds, forms, bills, the many kinds of writing done through the trial, writing for an appeal, contracts, and writing for wills and trusts. The last chapter addresses how to rewrite to promote more effective thinking and how to rewrite for the reader, going beyond the usual considerations of correct or "plain" style to address what constitutes effective word choice, sentence structure, organization, citation and quotation in real contexts. The book is seasoned with "sidebars"-brief stories about legal writing from many judges, lawyers, and other writers-- that help to bring the world of legal writing alive. This book is the product of a collaboration between a distinguished lawyer, a professor of English (Rhetoric and Writing).

IIn 1973, a young ACLU attorney filed a controversial class-action lawsuit that challenged New York City’s operation of its foster-care system. The plaintiff was an abused runaway named Shirley Wilder who had suffered from the system’s inequities. Wilder, as the case came to be known, was waged for two and a half decades, becoming a battleground for the conflicts of race, religion, and politics that shape America’s child-welfare system.

The Lost Children of Wilder gives us the galvanizing history of this landmark case and the personal story at its core. Nina Bernstein takes us behind the scenes of far-reaching legal and legislative battles, but she also traces the life of Shirley Wilder and her son, Lamont, born when Shirley was only fourteen and relinquished to the very system being challenged in her name. Bernstein’s account of Shirley and Lamont’s struggles captures the heartbreaking consequences of the child welfare system’s best intentions and deepest flaws. In the tradition of There Are No Children Here, this is a major achievement of investigative journalism and a tour de force of social observation, a gripping book that will haunt every reader who cares about the needs of children.

This new edition of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist’s classic book offers a lively and accessible history of the Supreme Court. His engaging writing illuminates both the high and low points in the Court's history, from Chief Justice Marshall’s dominance of the Court during the early nineteenth century through the landmark decisions of the Warren Court. Citing cases such as the Dred Scott decision and Roosevelt's Court-packing plan, Rehnquist makes clear that the Court does not operate in a vacuum, that the justices are unavoidably influenced by their surroundings, and that their decisions have real and lasting impacts on our society.

The public often hears little about the Supreme Court until decisions are handed down. Here, Rehnquist reveals its inner workings--the process by which cases are chosen, the nature of the conferences where decisions are made, and the type of debates that take place. With grace and wit, this incisive history gives a dynamic and informative account of the most powerful court in the nation and how it has shaped the direction America has taken.

Every day the economic importance of national boundaries diminishes. The globalisation of world markets is proceeding with ever-increasing speed, stimulated by developments like the introduction of the single European currency, and even the smallest transactions frequently now include a cross-border element. Business executives and their advisers participating in a transaction need a clear and concise framework of understanding, which will enable them to identify the critical issues likely to affect the course of the deal and to formulate the questions on which detailed advice will be needed. This text provides a one-stop guide to the practical issues involved for this jurisdiction. The following key topics are addressed: cultural aspects; regulatory framework; common financing methods; antitrust/competition aspects; taxation aspects; employment considerations; procedural formalities; accounting treatment of acquisitions and mergers; future developments. Professional advisers involved in merger and acquisition activity in Switzerland, including bankers, independent lawyers or in-house counsel, tax consultants, accountants, public relations advisers, and actuaries, will find this book a useful and reliable source of practical reference and information. This volume originally appeared as a country report in the loose-leaf work "Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers" edited by Peter Begg.