5 Lawyers Who Have Written Great Books
Developing the ability to be precise while writing at a high volume is a necessary skill for an attorney, which may be why so many are able to become prolific authors. These individuals have used their experience as lawyers to pen books that range from thoughtful nonfiction to gripping thrillers. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
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Vital American Legal Organizations
| Name | Headquarters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | Vienna, VA | Dedicated to improving the quality of legal services for people as they age, as well as for individuals of all ages with special needs |
| Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia | Washington, D.C. | Provides advocacy and legal representation to indigent adults and children eligible for court-appointed counsel in D.C. |
| Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights | Chicago, IL | Works to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all by supplying legal representation and collaborating with grassroots organizations to implement community-based solutions |
| AIDS Law Project Of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Provides free legal assistance to those living with or impacted by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, educates the public, and trains case management professionals in AIDS-related legal issues |
| Children's Law Center | Washington, D.C. | Partners with lawyers on a pro bono basis on custody cases, adoption law, & housing regulations, develops city-wide policy recommendations, and works with health care professionals to identify the root causes of at-risk children's health problems |
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In Depth
Browse the shelves of your local bookstore and you're likely to find a book written by a lawyer, whether it's a thriller or a nonfiction title designed to spotlight specific issues in the legal community. Here, in no particular order, are attorneys penning popular and relevant books.
Starting off the list at #1 is Sidney Powell, author of Licensed to Lie, which examines the connections between accounting firm Arthur Andersen, Merrill Lynch, Enron, and Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. William Hodes, professor of law emeritus at Indiana University, hails the book as a cross between investigative journalism and courtroom drama.
Powell represents individuals, corporations, and governments in federal appeals in complex commercial litigation. She was also an assistant United States attorney in three judicial districts. She is an elected member of the American Law Institute, and the past president of the Bar Association for the Fifth Federal Circuit. Among her media appearances are Lou Dobbs Tonight, NewsMax TV, and One America News.
She is an elected member of the American Law Institute, and the past president of the Bar Association for the Fifth Federal Circuit.
At #2 is William L. Myers, Jr., a civil litigation attorney and author of the fictional Philadelphia Legal series, which features lawyer Mick McFarland. Publishers Weekly praises the first book, A Criminal Defense, as an impressive debut, while Night Owl Reviews calls it heart thumping. Other books include An Engineered Injustice and A Killer's Alibi. He counts Scott Turow, John Grisham, Michael Connelly, and Elmore Leonard as writing inspirations.
Myers attended The University of Pennsylvania School of Law, going on to start his legal career with a local defense firm. He later established his own practice, representing employees against freight and commuter railroads. He's received media coverage from Main Line Today, County Lines magazine, and The Clarion Call.
Entering the list at #3 is Nicole Black, legal technology evangelist at MyCase, a cloud based law practice management software platform for solo and small firm attorneys. She is the author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers, which My Shingle hails as an extraordinary book and critical read for all lawyers.
She is the author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers, which My Shingle hails as an extraordinary book and critical read for all lawyers.
She writes regular columns for Above the Law, The ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, and has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, including Bloomberg Law, Legal IT Professionals, and Attorney at Work. Black has spoken at events for entities like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LexisNexis.
In the #4 spot is Paul Levine, author of the Jake Lassiter and Solomon versus Lord series of legal thrillers. He also pens standalone titles such as Paydirt, Illegal, and Impact. Prior to his career as a novelist, he worked as a newspaper reporter, law professor, and trial lawyer. The Washington Post calls his stories genuinely chilling, while the Cleveland Plain Dealer says they're breathlessly exciting.
Levine has won the John D. MacDonald Award for Excellence in Florida Fiction and been nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. In addition to novels, he wrote for the TV series, JAG and co-created the Supreme Court drama, First Monday. A graduate of Penn State and the University of Miami School of Law, he divides his time between Santa Barbara, California and South Florida.
Levine has won the John D. MacDonald Award for Excellence in Florida Fiction and been nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor.
Wrapping up the list at #5 is Ruth Carter. She is the author of The Legal Side of Blogging for Lawyers, which readers call exciting and informative. Her practice focuses on business formation and contracts, intellectual property, and internet law. She is also a columnist for Attorney at Work. She was named an American Bar Association Legal Rebel for her work in flash mob law.
Carter's speaking history includes SXSW, the American Bar Association TechShow, and the Chandler Center for the Arts, among others. She is a co-founder of Improv Arizona, and a volunteer assistant stage manager for Ignite Phoenix. Prior to her law career, she was a mental health therapist.
