Trial Magazine
Question of the Month
Whats One Book Every Lawyer Should Read
February 2018“Every plaintiff lawyer or paralegal should read A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr. It’s a classic David v. Goliath story. Lawyers must advocate for their clients, and lawyer Jan Schlichtmann did just that while sacrificing so much.”
Jody L. Bowman (paralegal), Hauptman O’Brien Wolf & Lathrop, Omaha, NE
“David Foster Wallace’s essays ‘Consider the Lobster’ and ‘Authority and American Usage.’ These essays are essential reading not only for their astonishing wit but also for their themes of considering the effectiveness of our communication and the impact of our words and actions on those with whom we interact.”
Colin R. Ray, McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman, Cleveland, OH
“To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is essential reading for every trial lawyer. Atticus Finch teaches his daughter that to understand people it is essential to try to get inside their skin. He is compassionate, brave, wise, honorable, and committed to justice.”
Betsy K. Greene, Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers, Bloomington, IN
“The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande is an excellent and surprisingly easy read. The author is a surgeon, but the book deals with a variety of complex industries, from surgery to flying planes to building skyscrapers. Checklists, properly created and used, not only improve efficiency and accuracy but foster a sense of teamwork.”
Gavin Flynn, Law Offices of Gavin Flynn, Vancouver, WA
“Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.”
Patrick Salvi Jr., Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, Chicago, IL
“On Writing by Stephen King is both a memoir and writer’s tool kit. You will have King’s voice in your ear while you write your next brief.”
Kristen Johnson, Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, Cambridge, MA
“Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. Two sides of the same coin—The Art of War is about exterior tactics, while the Tao Te Ching is about interior tactics.”
Jeff Bouma, Cronus Law, Phoenix, AZ
“The Storyteller’s Secret by Carmine Gallo, The Influential Mind by Tali Sharot, and Atomic Habits by James Clear are all related and helpful to my trial work.”
Lisa Blue Baron, Baron and Blue, Dallas, TX
“It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis.”
Keith A. Hebeisen, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago, IL
“The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success by Brian Tracy. Implementing the suggestions leads to increased productivity almost immediately.”
Thomas W. Dillon, Konicek & Dillon, Geneva, IL
“Every lawyer who tries cases should—no, must—read Case Framing by Mark Mandell. I read it before every jury trial. And without exception, I always learn from Mandell’s insights and practical suggestions on how to try a case.”
J.E. Cullens Jr., Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens, Baton Rouge, LA
“For anyone who takes depositions, I would suggest Spy the Lie by Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, and Susan Carnicero. This quick read gives great insight into when people seem to be answering questions truthfully but are in fact misleading you. I have used some of the techniques in depositions.”
Zachary Wool, Barrios Kingsdorf & Casteix, New Orleans, LA
“Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton. Chernow goes beyond just the facts, brings characters to life, and digs into political positions. His biography is anything but dry—despite its great attention to detail—and is even more relevant given the current political climate.”
Sandra Rohrstaff, Rohrstaff Law Firm, Alexandria, VA
