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10 Books You Should Read Before Starting Law School

The Best Law Books to Read Before Law School

Best law books

Profiles of Traditional and Non-Traditional Careers

Perfiles de Carreras Tradicionales y No Tradicionales

24 Hours with 24 Lawyers

24 Horas con 24 Abogados

Best law books: the ultimate reading list for legal professionals | SimpleLegal

A Complete Guide to the Law School Experience

Una Guía Completa para la Experiencia de la Escuela de Derecho

Law School Confidential

Confidencial de la Escuela de Derecho

The Art of Persuading Judges

El Arte de Persuadir a los Jueces

Making Your Case

Haciendo Tu Caso

A Guide to Studying Law at University

Una Guía para Estudiar Derecho en la Universidad

Letters to a Law Student

Cartas a un Estudiante de Derecho

A Toolkit for Thinking about the Law

Un conjunto de herramientas para pensar sobre la ley

The Legal Analyst

El Analista Legal

Letters to a Young Lawyer

Cartas a un Joven Abogado

To Kill a Mockingbird, Book 1

Matar a un ruiseñor, Libro 1

In the quiet Alabama town of Maycomb, siblings Scout and Jem Finch enjoy a comfortable life despite the hardships of the Great Depression, thanks to their father Atticus Finch's standing as a respected lawyer. The siblings, along with their new friend Dill, become fascinated by their reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley. The children's curiosity propels them into a series of adventures, including finding gifts seemingly left by Boo in a tree knothole and a risky exploration of the Radley property which ends with Jem's pants being mysteriously mended and hung over the fence.

The serenity of their lives is disrupted when Atticus takes on the defense of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of sexually assaulting a white woman. This decision sparks outrage among the town's white community, exposing Jem and Scout to racial prejudice and hostility. During the trial, Atticus presents compelling evidence proving Tom's innocence, including that the injuries suffered by the accuser were inflicted by her own father. Despite this, the all-white jury convicts Tom, who is later killed while attempting to escape prison. This deeply affects Jem, causing him to question the fairness of the justice system.

The aftermath of the trial brings further danger to the Finch family as the girl's father, Bob Ewell, seeks revenge on Atticus by trying to harm Jem and Scout. Their lives are saved by the unlikely hero, Boo Radley, who kills Ewell during the confrontation. The sheriff, to safeguard Boo, concludes that Ewell's death was accidental. Following the incident, Scout gains insight into Boo's secluded life and applies her father's wisdom of empathizing with others, affirming her belief in the inherent goodness of people despite her experiences with hatred and prejudice.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Matar a un ruiseñor

Esther Summerson recounts her early years and announces her departure to the residence of her new guardian, Mr. Jarndyce. Accompanying her are Ada Clare and Richard Carstone, and together they journey to their new home, making an overnight stop at the disorderly abode of the Jellybys. Upon arrival, they meet their new guardian and Mr. Skimpole, a man with a childlike demeanor. Meanwhile, a spectral figure haunts Chesney Wold, the estate of Sir and Lady Leicester Dedlock. In her new life, Esther encounters various characters like the domineering philanthropist Mrs. Pardiggle and an impoverished brickmaker's wife called Jenny. Over time she observes a growing romantic bond between Ada and Richard and declines a marriage proposal from Mr. Guppy. At Chesney Wold, Lady Dedlock recognizes a familiar handwriting on some documents. Mr. Tulkinghorn, the family's lawyer, resolves to find the scribe and discovers a man named Nemo, who has since passed away. Their interaction is observed by a street urchin named Jo. 

Richard's professional ambitions vacillate before he finally chooses to enter the medical field. However, he is more enamored by the potentially lucrative Jarndyce lawsuit, the original reason for which is not fully disclosed by anyone. In London, Esther meets a young girl named Charlotte, who is caring for her siblings with the assistance of their neighbor, Mr. Gridley. Esther learns of her own history from Mr. Jarndyce, who reveals that the woman who raised her was actually her aunt. Richard begins to work in law, while Esther and Ada visit Mr. Boythorn near Chesney Wold. There, Esther meets Lady Dedlock and feels an inexplicable connection to her. A sinister figure named Mr. Jobling takes up residence in Nemo's former room, and Mr. Tulkinghorn uncovers a woman's secret visit to Nemo's grave under the disguise of Lady Dedlock's maid's attire. 

Esther's health deteriorates and during her recovery, she discovers her face is disfigured from smallpox. Lady Dedlock admits to being Esther's mother during a surprise visit. Richard becomes increasingly consumed by the lawsuit, severing communication with Mr. Jarndyce. The climax ensues when Mr. Tulkinghorn is murdered and George, a local shooting gallery owner, is wrongfully arrested for the crime. Ada confesses to Esther about her secret marriage to Richard. In the ensuing investigation, it is discovered that Lady Dedlock had been framed for the murder by her maid Mademoiselle Hortense. However, Lady Dedlock is overwhelmed by her circumstances and dies. The Jarndyce lawsuit is eventually dismissed when the inheritance is entirely depleted on legal fees, resulting in Richard's death. Esther and Woodcourt marry and lead a blissful life with their two daughters, while Ada gives birth to a son.

Bleak House

Casa Desolada

Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court

Dentro del Mundo Secreto de la Corte Suprema

The Nine

Los Nueve

The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School

La Turbulenta Verdadera Historia de un Primer Año en la Facultad de Derecho de Harvard

One L

Un L

A Civil Action

Una Acción Civil

Anatomy of a Murder

Anatomía de un Asesinato

A Well-Traveled Professor's Roadmap to Success in the First Year of Law School

El Mapa del Camino al Éxito en el Primer Año de la Facultad de Derecho de un Profesor Bien Viajado

1L of a Ride

1L de un Viaje

A Biography

Una Biografía

America's Constitution

La Constitución de América

An Introduction

Una Introducción

About Law

Sobre la Ley

A Comparative and Functional Approach

Un Enfoque Comparativo y Funcional

The Anatomy of Corporate Law

La Anatomía del Derecho Corporativo

Identifying Your Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets

Identificando Tus Patentes, Marcas, Derechos de Autor y Secretos Comerciales

Key to IP

Clave para IP

Control Costs, Meet Schedules, Manage Risks, and Maintain Sanity

Controla Costos, Cumple Horarios, Gestiona Riesgos y Mantén la Cordura

Legal Project Management

Gestión de Proyectos Legales

A Lawyer's Guide to Decreasing Stress, Eliminating Interruptions & Getting Home on Time

Guía de un Abogado para Disminuir el Estrés, Eliminar Interrupciones y Llegar a Casa a Tiempo

21 Best Law Books of All Time