As the start of your first semester of law school approaches, it’s natural to begin to feel doubts, maybe even fear. after all, it’s not easy being part of one of the most competitive specializations out there.
what should you expect when you start your first day? Can you manage your time effectively? Are you really cut out to be a lawyer? These are all valid and natural fears. And lucky for you, we’re here to help.
You are reading: Best law school prep books
Perhaps the most reliable means of dispelling doubts about something is simply to obtain information about it. you can do this through a widely celebrated and traditional solution: reading books.
but which ones to read? there are so many of them out there, and you can’t just spend the rest of your summer reading every one of them. Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up some of the best books to read before you enter law school, from battle guidelines to philosophical musings.
best books to read before law school
This list contains some of the best books any aspiring lawyer should read. If she’s about to enter her first semester of law school, she may want to pick a book or two from this list for her summer reading.
1. Confidential Law School by Robert H. miller
Widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive accounts of life during law school, Robert H. Miller sets you up to be a successful 1L by detailing what to expect during your first year. he’ll also find tips on what to do in every first-year law school situation that’s likely to happen to you.
For his research, Miller assembled a panel of recent law school graduates to provide practical advice on navigating law school today. From preparing for the lsat to navigating your first semester to applying for internships, then the bar exam and more – you can be sure that the confidential law school has your back.
If you need a detailed account of all the things that can go wrong (or right) during law school, then this book is for you.
2. 24 hours with 24 lawyers by jasper kim
Do you still have doubts about what kind of future the law industry holds for you? Do you want to know more about careers related to law besides appearing in court? Or maybe you want to know how different types of lawyers get by in other industries? If this sounds like you, then you should take a look at 24 Hours with 24 Lawyers.
In this book, Jasper Kim documents the daily routines of 24 different lawyers, spending 24 hours with each one. the result is a comprehensive and realistic narrative about the different kinds of things that different kinds of lawyers go through on a daily basis.
From criminal defense to the entertainment industry to Wall Street, Kim writes in a compelling and informative style sure to help you see a possible reality for you after law school.
3. Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams by Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul
Law school exams are different from high school or college exams. some questions can be answered in a dozen different ways. sometimes, there may be no correct answer.
That’s why taking exams is one of the most important skills to master in law school. reach perhaps contains everything you need to know to master this skill. In this book, two professors discuss everything about law school exams: how they’re taken, how you should approach them, and how you should prepare for them.
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In this sense, Getting to Maybe isn’t just a book about exams, it’s also your first introduction to thinking like a lawyer. this makes it an essential resource that all aspiring 1ls should have on their summer reading list.
4. ward farnsworth’s legal analyst
Speaking of thinking like a lawyer, if you want to have a toolkit of all the mental tools that lawyers use in their practice, then there is no better resource than the legal analyst.
The author, Ward Farnsworth, is the Dean of the University of Texas School of Law. Drawing from his experience as a seasoned lawyer and educator, he brings together the most powerful mental tips and tricks that lawyers use to solve different problems.
Legal Analyst draws on game theory, psychology, and legal principles to give you a strong set of skills that will serve you from your days as a 1l to your company’s head office.
5. law 101: everything you need to know about the american legal system by jay feinman
If you want to familiarize yourself with the basics of the legal system to prepare for your first year of law school, be sure to pick up a copy of Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About the American Legal System.
This book is an excellent introduction to the topics you will be addressing during your first year of law school. Jay Feinman draws on notable and famous cases to illustrate basic concepts such as the constitution, litigation, criminal law, contracts, and property.
From an overview of the legal workings of the country to the most recent Supreme Court rulings, Law 101 clearly and succinctly provides you with all the necessary elements to give you a solid foundation for your first year as a law student.
6. 1l of a walk by andrew j. mcclurg
Your first year is possibly the most important period of your law school career. he gives him his first insight into the world of law and sets his direction for years to come. That said, it is also perhaps the hardest and most stressful year.
To help you navigate this new world, check out 1l of a journey by andrew j. mcclurg. An award-winning professor whose work has been cited in more than 1,000 publications, McClurg combines the experiences of hundreds of successful law students, authentic exam questions, case summaries, and more to give you a comprehensive idea of what to expect during your first year. .
With topics ranging from pre-planning to emotional wellness and even career planning, 1l of a ride is your roadmap to 1l success.
7. The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court by Jeffrey Toobin
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial entity in the country that influences and interprets the law of the land. As you are about to enter law school, you should have a good foundation when it comes to this prestigious institution.
The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court offers you a glimpse into this secret body of law told in a gripping narrative. This book uses exclusive interviews to formulate a neutral background on the nine justices who decide the law of the land, with a solid background on the history of the supreme court and an idea of its future path.
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As fascinating as it is informative, this book isn’t just an inside look. it also provides a nuanced look at crucial issues facing the country today, critical issues all nine have influenced in some way.
8. making your case: the art of persuading judges by antonin scalia and bryan garner
Persuasion is one of the main tools you must perfect if you want to become a successful lawyer. Whether it be persuasion through speech or writing, this subtle art is something all aspiring 1ls should have a deep understanding of.
Defining Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges draws insights from former Justice Antonin Scalia’s acerbic wit and distinguished attorney Bryan Garner’s practical guidance on writing and advocacy. In this book, he will learn all about the fundamentals of sound legal reasoning, brief writing, and oral argument.
Whether you’re an aspiring 1l or a seasoned veteran, presenting your case is a helpful guide to speaking and writing persuasively.
9. letters to a young lawyer by alan dershowitz
letters to a young lawyer is a contemplative narrative about the personal and professional life of alan dershowitz, one of the most outspoken lawyers of recent decades.
In this insightful meditation on the legal profession, Dershowitz discusses the different aspects of being a lawyer that law school typically never prepares you for. he talks a lot about life, success, and opportunity, all essential topics to consider, especially if you’re new to the craft. In addition to that, he also talks about tips and tricks that he personally used in his career.
This book is thought-provoking reading for all aspiring lawyers, from essential life lessons to unique insights into the profession.
10. the art of always being right: the 38 subtle forms of persuasion by arthur schopenhauer
This book is not exactly a law book, but it is about one of the most critical skills in the profession: persuasion.
the art of always being right: the 38 subtle forms of persuasion deals with the “tricks” (rhetorical, logical and everything else) that people use in their daily lives, not just in the legal industry. As mentioned above, persuasion is a critical skill to have. you need to master it so you can use it and, at the same time, to avoid any tricks that might be used on you.
From red herring tactics to overgeneralization, this book will expose you to crucial tricks that every lawyer should know. After all, when there are lives on the line, it’s not enough to just be right most times. 
choosing the best books to read before law school
The upcoming first semester of law school can be daunting, and with good reason. You will embark on a challenging path, compete with the best students in an unforgiving environment and take on the noble responsibility of delivering justice.
To help you prepare and ease some of your emotional and mental load, we’ve compiled ten of the most important books to read before law school. With these readings, we hope you will find it easier to start your journey into the world of law.
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