Summer Pre-Law Reading Lists
We have compiled some optional summer reading material. Some of the selections provide good background material for the concepts you will learn during your first year. Others introduce you to the dynamics of litigation. Finally some focus on the emotional aspects of being a first year law student.
All of these books can be purchased at Amazon.com. The law library will also have a copy of each book that may be checked out for one week. There will be no renewals in order to make the books available to as many students as possible. You may also want to check the public library or area bookstores for these titles.
Toni M. Fine, American Legal Systems: A Resource and Reference Guide
(Anderson Publishing 1997) This book provides an overview of the American legal system and the various sources of law. Chapters include Basic Concepts of American Jurisprudence, Case Law, Statutes and Legislative History, Administrative and Other Executive Law, Civil Litigation, Appellate Court Review, etc.
(Anderson Publishing 1997) This book provides an overview of the American legal system and the various sources of law. Chapters include Basic Concepts of American Jurisprudence, Case Law, Statutes and Legislative History, Administrative and Other Executive Law, Civil Litigation, Appellate Court Review, etc.
Michael Ross Fowler, With Justice For All? The Nature of the American Legal System
(Prentice Hall 1998) Written by a Brandeis professor, this book contains the author's lecture series he delivered as a Fulbright Scholar in Okinawa, Japan. It contains his reflections on the historical development of American law, its chief participants, and the current regulation and training of the legal profession. It is easy to read and has an excellent glossary of common legal terms.
(Prentice Hall 1998) Written by a Brandeis professor, this book contains the author's lecture series he delivered as a Fulbright Scholar in Okinawa, Japan. It contains his reflections on the historical development of American law, its chief participants, and the current regulation and training of the legal profession. It is easy to read and has an excellent glossary of common legal terms.
Jonathan Harr, A Civil Action
(Vintage Books 1996) The story of a lawsuit brought by families of eight leukemia victims against two major corporations for dumping cancer-causing materials into their water table.
(Vintage Books 1996) The story of a lawsuit brought by families of eight leukemia victims against two major corporations for dumping cancer-causing materials into their water table.
Richard D. Kahlenberg, Broken Contract: A Memoir of Harvard Law School
(University of Massachusetts Press 1999). "Kahlenberg's brilliant and brilliantly written memoir of his years as a student at the Harvard law School is the most compelling critique of legal education of this generation. Lively and devastating, Broken Contract is a must, not only for those who are already lawyers, but, more important, also for those who want to be lawyers. This book could change their lives."-Martin Peretz
(University of Massachusetts Press 1999). "Kahlenberg's brilliant and brilliantly written memoir of his years as a student at the Harvard law School is the most compelling critique of legal education of this generation. Lively and devastating, Broken Contract is a must, not only for those who are already lawyers, but, more important, also for those who want to be lawyers. This book could change their lives."-Martin Peretz
Karl N. Llewellyn, Bramble Bush
(currently out of print but Amazon.com has limited availability). "This is the first choice of Law School Deans as the best introduction to the study of law for both potential and enrolled law students. An outgrowth of the author's introductory lectures in 1929 at Columbia University School of Law, this popular text discusses the factors in choosing and pursuing a legal career. " - Amazon.com
(currently out of print but Amazon.com has limited availability). "This is the first choice of Law School Deans as the best introduction to the study of law for both potential and enrolled law students. An outgrowth of the author's introductory lectures in 1929 at Columbia University School of Law, this popular text discusses the factors in choosing and pursuing a legal career. " - Amazon.com
[Bramble Bush is a collection of lectures given by Llewellyn to his son as the kid was about to enter law school. The language is stilted, owing to the vintage of the book, but Llewellyn's wisdom is 100% applicable to the law school experience today. This book is more about showing you the larger picture, how to integrate what you experience as a 1L with what you have learned in undergrad, and so on. Don't expect another "how to succeed in law school" book. Buy this book to have a storied old prof at your bedside every night explaining to you why you are in law school. —DLR]
Carl Rowan, Dream Makers, Dream Breakers
A biography of Thurgood Marshall, tells the story of the strategizing that led up to Brown v. Board of Education.
A biography of Thurgood Marshall, tells the story of the strategizing that led up to Brown v. Board of Education.
Helene and Marshall Shapo, Law School Without Fear-Strategies for Success
(Foundation Press 1996). The authors, both law school professors, wrote this book to give practical advice to their son who was starting law school. It provides the reader with the necessary information needed to succeed in law school.
(Foundation Press 1996). The authors, both law school professors, wrote this book to give practical advice to their son who was starting law school. It provides the reader with the necessary information needed to succeed in law school.
Gerald M. Stern, The Buffalo Creek Disaster
(Random House 1976). This is the story of the pro bono publico partner of Arnold & Porter who was the lead counsel for over 600 survivors of a coal mine disaster in West Virginia. It shows both the procedural and human side of the practice of law.
(Random House 1976). This is the story of the pro bono publico partner of Arnold & Porter who was the lead counsel for over 600 survivors of a coal mine disaster in West Virginia. It shows both the procedural and human side of the practice of law.
Scott Turow, One L
(Putnam Books, 1977) "Becoming a first-year law student - a "One L" - at the oldest, most esteemed law school in the United States threw Scott Turow into a physical, emotional, and intellectual combat zone. An ultimate test by fire of his own honesty and principles, it was a time of hazings, betrayals, challenges, and triumphs. Here, in national bestseller, law school primer, and classic autobiographical account, the author of Presumed Innocent reveals the shocking, fascinating reality of a first year at Harvard Law School" - Amazon.com
(Putnam Books, 1977) "Becoming a first-year law student - a "One L" - at the oldest, most esteemed law school in the United States threw Scott Turow into a physical, emotional, and intellectual combat zone. An ultimate test by fire of his own honesty and principles, it was a time of hazings, betrayals, challenges, and triumphs. Here, in national bestseller, law school primer, and classic autobiographical account, the author of Presumed Innocent reveals the shocking, fascinating reality of a first year at Harvard Law School" - Amazon.com
[If you want to become a bit more prepared for law school by reading a novel about deep inter-1L personal conflicts during their first year, this is your book. But you could get the same effect in an hour and a half by watching The Paper Chase. —DLR]
Carolyn J. Nygren, Starting Off Right in Law School
(Carolina Academic Press, 1997) In her introduction, she cites two reasons for having written the book: (1) to provide information about the legal system, and (2) to provide information about the study skills necessary for success.
(Carolina Academic Press, 1997) In her introduction, she cites two reasons for having written the book: (1) to provide information about the legal system, and (2) to provide information about the study skills necessary for success.
Shana Connell Noyes & Henry S. Noyes, Acing Your First Year of Law School, The Ten Steps to Success You Won't Learn in Class
(Fred B. Rothman & Co., 1999) Most first-year law students waste a tremendous amount of time learning piles of information they don't need to know, because they have no one to guide them. This text, in ten easy-to-read chapters, is the guide for students entering or contemplation law school. After reading the ten chapters, set up as lessons, students will know how to study the law. - Amazon.com
(Fred B. Rothman & Co., 1999) Most first-year law students waste a tremendous amount of time learning piles of information they don't need to know, because they have no one to guide them. This text, in ten easy-to-read chapters, is the guide for students entering or contemplation law school. After reading the ten chapters, set up as lessons, students will know how to study the law. - Amazon.com
[This is a quick primer describing good study strategies and writing methods. It is shorter than most of the other books here, so if you are short on time, have summer commitments, or are already in law school, read it. —DLR]
Prepared by Susan Kosse, Professor of Law, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
CLEO Program
The Council On Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) recently launched The CLEO College Scholars Program. Its purpose is to identify, motivate and prepare students for a career in the legal profession. The College Scholars program aims to help low-income, minority and otherwise disadvantaged students become competitive law school applicants. Committed students can learn how to successfully navigate the law school admission process and underwrite their success in law school by participating in the College Scholars program, which in addition to the Road To Law School seminars and the Sophomore Super Saturday seminars, includes the Sophomore Summer Institute, a four-week residential prelaw program. All programs are available to students AT NO COST! Learn more. http://www.cleoscholars.com/pre_law_programs/index.cfm
[These classes are not necessary; you can do great in law school without them. But they certainly help. Don't panic (as I did) because you are unable to attend. —DLR]
Tech Summer Legal Writing Program
This is a summer legal writing program put on by Texas Tech law school professors to help prepare you for the year to come. Legal writing [Legal Practice] is the most important class you will take in the fall and spring of your first year. Without good writing you cannot be a good lawyer or successful student. If your schedule allows, we strongly suggest you take this great opportunity to be ahead of the game by signing up for this summer class.
[The Legal Practice class at Tech Law, a required part of the first year curriculum, spans the entire year. In simple grade terms, it is a 3 hour class when most of your others are 4 hours. Nonetheless, Legal Practice is where you will learn to use the library, online legal research services (Lexis and Westlaw), and to use your studying time efficiently. Take this class seriously. The hardest part of it is learning to "write like a lawyer," or to adopt the non-flowery, rule explanation/application method of brief and memo writing. I did not attend the summer program, but I think it certainly would have helped me make that transition. —DLR]
Talk to Dean Cook or Donna Williams in the Law School Admissions Office, (806) 742-3791, for more information.
Maintained by David Reuthinger, HLSA Historian, Class of 2007
Update Information | david.reuthinger@ttu.edu
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