Introduction to the study and practice of law in a nutshell

"There are two things wrong with almost all legal writing. One is style. The other is content." Professor Fred Rodell, Yale, 1936. We can't do much about content. You'll have to know how the common law system works, how to read and brief cases, how to study and take exams, how to write and argue law and how lawsuits are tried. We can do something about style. There's advice and illustrations. You'll throw pots, working your first case, making your first argument, briefing cases, taking exams, and writing memos. This is not for the faint hearted nor is law school. Think like a lawyer. I won't be a bore. I'll tell jokes, some of which are actually funny. I'll challenge you intellectually. Where does law come from? Should judges follow precedent? What if your client wants to pave Paradise and put in a parking lot? If you love ideas you'll love this book and you'll love law school. (If you love people you'll love practice.).*

Contents

• Introduction

• Your first case

• Your first argument

• Case analysis

• Case synthesis

• Statutes : "are Pringles potato chips?"

• "Oh, no, I forgot ethics"

• Ruminations

• Introduction

• Cases as puzzles

• Briefs

• Briefs analyzed and much more

• Classes, cramming, lap tops

• Study aids, study groups, outlining and messy casebooks

• Introduction

• Taking exams : the only skill worth having!

• Practice test

• A tale of two answers

• Multiple-choice exams

• Exams : we weren't kidding

• Introduction

• Telling stories

• Writing law

• SIR transitions and writing tips

• Murder your darlings

• Writing exercises

• "May it please the court"

• Introduction

• Case planning : the interplay of law and fact, backwards

• Complaints, answers, pretrial motions, and discovery

• Trials

• K v. Landlord, greatest hits

• Oh, one last thing