Letters to a Young Lawyer

Candid, real world view of "the system," from a very personal place. Objections to the Dersh's political views miss the point. They are absurd really, as if New Journalism never was.If you are in the law, here is a chance to see things through the eyes of a Seasoned, Old salt. Don't pass it up because you you may not agree with everything he says. He does not appear to be trying to brainwash anyone.

I purchased this book for my husband who is an attorney celebrating his 25th anniversary practicing law. He found this book to be so inspiring that he asked me to order 10 more copies as gifts for some of his legal associates. After reading this book he commented, "This is a reminder as to why I chose to practice law".

Caution: This book contains some strong language that will offend some. I found it no worse than what is said on television talk shows every day, if you can read lips..I highly recommend this book to all those who are thinking of going to law school, are attending law school, or are planning their legal careers. Professor Dershowitz (whose student I have been) tells it like it is about the many flaws in the legal system, the ways that law and personal morality come into conflict, and the flagrant abuses of power that occur. His purpose is to prepare you for what is coming, so that you can make a good decision about where practicing or teaching law fits the balance of professional challenge and personal integrity that makes sense to and for you. He also warns against those who give advice, noting that most describe how you can become like them . . . or repeat all of their mistakes because they have never learned from those experiences. Law is "ethically ambiguous terrain." Then, section by section, he describes those moral ambiguities, especially as they occur in the criminal justice system. Although not everyone will agree with his advice, you will certainly see the terrain clearly. Perhaps the most interesting argument is that "the truly moral person . . . does the right thing without . . . reward or . . . punishment." In making this case, he moves to a notion of morality that is beyond religious ethics. I could see myself again traveling down the road of disillusionment that Professor Dershowitz describes. First, we find a legal hero. What we don't realize is that this hero also has human flaws of which we will not approve. When we find out about those flaws, our sense of the idealism of the law is diminished. Then, we experience the rude shock of realizing that the process of law is about disposing of disputes, rather than creating "blind justice." Your job as a lawyer is to go to the ethical limits on behalf of your client, even if you hate the client and her or his cause. Can such a "hired gun" emerge with honor? Professor Dershowitz argues "yes" but indicates that one's personal conscious will often be left bruised in the process. If you don't want to deal with that, many areas of the law aren't for you. He tells you which ones to avoid. He also tells you to find out what's coming, rather than to whine about it when it arrives. I agree wholeheartedly with that advice. I wish I had had this book to read as a young law student. I certainly intend to give it as a gift to young people who are thinking about or are beginning their legal studies or careers. Pay particular attention to the advice to balance what you are good at doing with what feels good to you. What should a profession provide in the way of satisfactions, opportunities, rewards, and challenges? Seek to be the professional whom you would like to hire for yourself!