For many people, attending law school is both an incredibly difficult and fulfilling experience. Despite the slowly recovering economy and unemployment rates, publications like The Washington Post claim that “law school remains a really, really good investment for most students.” It’s expensive, exhausting, and relentlessly mentally stimulating, but truly worth it if you have aspirations to become a lawyer.
In honor of the new school year, and how now has never been a better time to apply to law school, here are some suggested texts for future law students.
Spinning the Law: Trying Cases in the Court of Public Opinion by Kendall Coffey. Written by lawyer and longtime legal analyst Kendall Coffey, Spinning the Law is a look inside high-profile courtroom dramas, political tactics, and the media influence in law today. Considered a must-read for prospective law students, bestselling author Robin Meade says, “Fans of courtroom drama and law students alike: here is your teacher,” of Kendall’s compelling writing style and legal expertise.
Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About American Law by Jay M. Feinman. Aptly named, Law 101 “provides readers with a vividly written and indispensable portrait of our nation’s legal system.” Now in its third edition, Law 101 contains information about all aspects of the legal system, as well as more recent cases that involve Internet laws, electronic surveillance, and more. This book is a must-read for prospective law students, and an invaluable resource for current students who require clear, concise, and correct information about the law.
The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution by Linda Monk. According to Amazon, “In The Words We Live By, constitutional scholar Linda Monk probes the idea that the Constitution may seem to offer cut-and-dried answers to questions regarding personal rights, but the interpretations of this hallowed document are nearly infinite.” This book is ideal for prospective law students because it provides informative annotations, and an engaging historical perspective that presents the U.S. Constitution clearly, and as a living document.
Other suggested readings for future law students include Letters to a Law Student: A Guide to Studying Law at University by Nicholas J. McBride, Law School for Dummies by Rebecca Greene, Law School Basics: A Preview of Law School and Legal Reasoning by David Hricik, Learning Outside the Box: A Handbook for Law Students Who Learn Differently by Leah M. Christensen, and Succeeding in Law School by Herbert N. Ramy.
For even further reading, explore this list of suggestions from the University of Washington.
