Best Law Books for Starters
An essential aspect of preparing for law school is familiarizing yourself with the field of law in general. The best, and perhaps most enjoyable way, to do this is through reading. Thankfully there are thousands of helpful and educational resources online, and a few truly indispensable books out there.
A short, accessible, and engaging chronicle of what it is like being a lawyer. This book will not prepare you for the mechanics of studying law, but it will give you an invaluable insight as to what being a successful lawyer requires. The book describes an idealistic and a realistic approach to practicing law, and how these approaches can be applied to real work. For a beginner, this book can be quite life changing, and offers some of the best advice to anyone who wishes to practice law one day.
This is an extraordinary book about law school, written mainly by first year law students. Reading this book before starting law school can completely change your perspective on your upcoming experiences, and guide you as to how to face the challenges involved. It is both honest and comprehensive , and covers all of the pitfalls you will probably face by exposing them in advance.
One of the most useful books about what it means to study law. For a first year student, it is essential to grasp the basic terminology and way of thinking about law that this book exposes. It is not a study guide, yet it has just the right amount of information so that it is an essential preparation tool.
A clear guide to legal writing which covers all topics you are likely to encounter during your education and later practice. This book includes information about how to write a research paper, use legal citation style, and even how to present the argument orally. Perhaps at this stage of your education, you think this book is not for you, but I assure you, it is. Having an understanding of the subject now will save you a lot of time in the future.
Excellent law school guide which introduces you to a range of diverse topics. This book will almost immediately make you feel confident in your ability to pursue a legal education. If you thought that you could not attend law school, reading this book will pull you back, and you will want to get into law school. This book is also full of practical advice, that every law student must know.
Advanced Law Textbooks
Advanced legal texts are invaluable for law students who desire a deeper understanding of specific areas of law. These texts serve as a treasure trove of information, offering advanced concepts, cases, and explanations that can help develop a robust legal knowledge base.
For those interested in corporate law, "Friedman on Contracts" provides a comprehensive examination of contract law in the context of its role in business transactions. This 3-volume set delves into contract formation, breach of contract, and remedies, among other topics. The book also includes in-depth analyses of how contract law is applied in various business contexts, making it valuable for those who seek not only to understand contract law but also to apply it in a real-world setting.
"Understanding Trusts & Estates" provides a detailed account of the laws that govern trusts and estates, which are vital areas in estate planning and administration. This text covers topics such as the creation and interpretation of wills, administration of estates, income taxation of estates and trusts, and the creation and operation of trusts. This book is an indispensable resource for law students looking to specialize in estate planning or probate law.
For an in-depth look into international law, "International Law and International Relations" explores the intricate relationship between these two fields. This book delves into the history of international law, its relationship with state sovereignty, and the impact of international organizations, treaties, and customary international law on global governance. "International Law and International Relations" provides a thorough understanding of both the theory and practice of international law.
These books are essential for experienced law students looking to further their understanding of specific areas. They are invaluable resources that can help students not only excel in exams but also pave the way for future career opportunities in law firms, government agencies, and other legal-related fields.
Law Study Aids
Exam success can often depend on how you study even more than what you study. So there are a host of exam prep books at your library or bookstore that you can learn from. Both how to learn the material, and how to take exams.
My top recommendations for "how to take the law exams" are Alfred P. Lubrano’s "How to Ace it in Law School". It is a little dated, but still has sound advice. I highly recommend you get the similar book that his colleague has written, "Writing Essays To Get Results: How to Succeed in Your Law School Exams" by Lesley M. Kelleher. Personally, I think these are better than the "[subject] DeMystified" series. It hits the mark as presenting what you need to know. Also, the practice exams in these texts are better than the actual bar exams.
Another strong recommendation is a little book recently published by a law professor called "The Legal Analyst: A Guide to Writing Law Essays" by A. Robert Tarr. It focuses on how to write an essay exam, has many sample answers. I think this is a must for law students.
On the more comprehensive approach is the [subject] in a Nutshell series (however, these rarely have any question and answers). This is followed closely by the [subject] Concepts and Insight series.
For Constitutional law, I really like the "Constitutional law, con law, A concise course in constitutional law: with insight analysis, model expository answers by one who has taught the course at the university level for over twenty-four years" by William S. McAninch. It has everything from a plain language explanation of U.S. Constitution to a detailed chapter with common essay exam questions answered.
They also have study aids that are tailored to specific courses, but I have only seen a few. They are a compilation of all the professor’s notes, so they may be more effective than the Nutshells, I cannot say.
Research Reference Books
Essential to the law library, and seen in most law libraries in some form or another, are what are referred to as ‘reference books’. A good law school will always have an updated library stocked with the best reference books. Today we’ll take a look at a few of these indispensable assets.
The first to be mentioned is generally the best; the most comprehensive. Enshrined in law schools, and an area quite commonly snatched up by first year law students looking for something to do, Black’s Law Dictionary (from West) is the ‘go to’ resource for everything legal. Not only does it contain definitions for legal terms, but it also provides definitions of many international legal terms, as well as legal terms specific to areas such as taxation, bankruptcy, intellectual property and litigation. If you’ve been reading for a while you’ll undoubtedly have heard me mention a recent addition to my, by now , rather voluminous law texts collection; Black’s Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations. A must for any law student or budding lawyer hoping to understand the various abbreviations that pop up in case law.
Next we have the Corpus Juris Secundum. Geared mainly towards reference and research for the practicing or studying lawyer, the Corpus Juris Secundum is one of the best encyclopaedias of law that we’ve found. Supposedly more modern than William Benjamin’s treatise of 1905 "American Digest", this is a great resource for quickly finding cases relevant to an area of law you may or may not be familiar with.
Another encyclopaedia to look out for in the law library is the American Jurisprudence. In this book you can expect to find a plethora of legal definitions, as well as citations to all relevant cases and precedents pertaining to said definitions. So what you’re getting is a legal dictionary with references to various modern law cases, as well as an encyclopaedia of law. A bit complicated, but very effective.
Other reference books, such as encyclopaedias or handbooks on various areas of law are available in law libraries, though the above are some of the more common overarching examples.
Digital and Web-Based Law Books
Over the past few years, the peripheral desire to maintain the status quo and study law through a physical law book combined with a plethora of other distractions and interruptions has been cast by the way side in favor of online resources and digital law books. Where, and how, you absorb the information that will prepare you to take the bar before your legal journey even begins is less important than simply taking in the information — through whatever means is most conducive to learning. A digital law book, or several digital study aids, are a terrific option because of the convenience they provide. Websites designed for law students have also consolidated tons of information and presented it easily and accessibly. Though there are added concerns for law students online that are not present offline, such as whether or not the information is accurate, it does not erase the fact that cutting edge information is being provided online. In a business where having the latest information is essential, online resources will continue to be important, even as other areas of life begin to become more digitized.
How to Select the Right Law Books
When choosing the right law study books to help master key concepts like contract law, criminal law, and administrative law, aspiring lawyers should consider several crucial factors to ensure they make the best decision for their legal studies. Firstly, it is important to evaluate the content’s relevance—does the book focus on the specific courses and topics being studied, or is it more general? Practicing lawyers may recommend diverse texts to this section, but they should not lead students astray by relying solely on outdated or irrelevant material.
Authorship is another key detail in selecting the right law study books. Are the authors respected academics or practitioners in the field? Have there been recent editions published since and are they practicing lawyers? Aspiring lawyers should make sure to research background information on the writers to make the most informed decision . Similarly, reviews from other students and professionals can help understand the value these books bring to one’s legal education.
With these criteria in mind, aspiring lawyers can ascertain the era in which the information was published. Whether recent or not, studying law requires an understanding of the past so as to practice wisely in the present. This means knowing key developments and changes in the law, as well as acknowledging and evaluating what makes good legal scholars. There are many great books that can provide all of this under one cover, not only allowing students to explore varying topics but also to use them as future reference materials.
Some recommended law study books for aspiring lawyers include "Criminal Law by Elliot Aronson & Robert O. Dawson", "Contract Law by Thomas J. Whitfield", and "Administrative Law by Stephen F. Ross & William B. Glidden".