Law books | Top books to read for a successful career

Now that you have decided to pursue law and order as a profession, it is time to devise a plan of action. The first step is to learn as much as you can about this discipline, its history, as well as the way it functions in the real world. Do so to mold yourself into an individual that will thrive in this field.

To help you out on this journey, we have a list of the top book recommendations from the Harvard Law School and Oxford Law Faculty! Read on to learn bonus book recommendations!

Recommended reading as compiled by the Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School is considered one of the most prestigious institutions of learning in the world, owing to the many avenues that open up to a Harvard Graduate. This is a reading list of law books for potential students and is meant to help prepare them for life as a lawyer.

1. Full Disclosure: The New Lawyer’s Must-Read Career Guide by Christen Civiletto Carey

This book provides advice to new lawyers, and it covers everything from inquiring into available positions at firms, securing those jobs then thriving at those jobs. Using instances from real-life to illustrate working with colleagues, courtroom etiquette, and other significant goals, this book is all a lawyer needs.

2. The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Practicing Law by Mark Herrmann

To-the-point, witty and insightful is the best way to describe this law book. The book is a collection of essays that offers hands-on advice for anyone who wants to succeed as a good litigator within a law firm. Beginning with the basics of practicing law, the etiquette required within the firm, proper attire, and handling clients- this guide contains counsel for new legal practitioners.

3. Swimming Lessons for Baby Sharks by Grover E. Cleveland

This book sums up things even law schools won’t take the time to teach. Useful tips based on real-life experiences from hundreds of lawyers fill up the pages. It illustrates in a significant amount of detail how one must do the work to get a job and how to succeed once the job has been secured. It has been compiled for baby sharks, as described in the title.

4. The Official Guide to Legal Specialties by Lisa L. Abrams

This book gives you a sneak peek into the workings of practicing law in the various branches, from immigration to tax to entertainment. These stories come from some of the top practitioners in different specialties working at some of the largest firms. 

5. Letters to a Young Lawyer by Alan Dershowitz

Renowned lawyer Alan Dershowitz has admirers and critics alike when it comes to his methods of practicing law. Here he addresses the growing dissatisfaction among lawyers despite the potential to earn a lot of money that many seem to have, especially those hired by clients that leave a lot to be desired. He generously shares some of the “tricks of the trade” that proved useful to him over time.

6. 24 Hours with 24 Lawyers: Profiles of Traditional and Non-Traditional Careers by Jasper Kim

All of your doubts are assuaged, and all of your possible questions will be answered if you pick up this book in particular. 24 Hours with 24 Lawyers gives you a look into the lives of twenty-four law school graduates. These working professionals practicing in different branches of law give you a breakdown of a twenty-four-hour day in their respective careers. Once you’re through, you will have a better idea of the career profile that suits you best.

7. What Can You Do with a Law Degree? A Lawyer’s Guide to Career Alternatives Inside, Outside, and Around the Law by Deborah Arron

There have previously been 3 editions of this career guide for lawyers. This expanded 4th edition will prepare you for any of the branches of law you prefer. The 4th edition of What Can You Do with a Law Degree by Deborah Arron includes more than 700 job proposals, self-assessment exercises, over 1,000 web resources, profiles of successful law school graduates, and a new test to help you find the right field within the field of law. There are over 50,000 copies in print.

Recommended reading as compiled by the Oxford Law Faculty

Over eight centuries’ worth of teaching under its belt, Oxford’s law school is ranked among the highest among teaching institutes across the world. This list of books is an offering to potential students so that they may prepare themselves for what is expected in this field of study.

1. How to Study Law by Anthony Bradney

As a rule, every student of law must be able to acquire and understand key legal materials. The fifth edition of How to Study Law is an introduction to the common law system and a self-study guide.  

2. Understanding Property Law by Tim Murphy and Simon Roberts 

Understanding Property Law talks about the role of lawyers and about how past practices have shaped the development and form of modern land law. It highlights the legal problems which legislation addresses.

3. Understanding Public Law by Gariele Ganz

This book explains how the British Constitution works today and provides an account of the changes made to the law since 1979. This edition has been rewritten with a focus on the Arbitration Act 1996 and the new case law as a result of the Act.

4. Understanding Law by John N. Adams and Roger Brownsword

As an introduction to law in general, this book lays out a clear explanation of this academic discipline with a critical view of the institutions and processes which comprise the English legal system. It does a rather fine job of assessing and describing the process of legal decision-making.

5. Understanding Contract Law by John N. Adams and Roger Brownsword

This book on contract law proves a concise overview and a true interpretation of the subject. Every key case law and statutory development has been included. It also talks about how the contract rulebook materialized.

6. Understanding Criminal Law by C.M.V Clarkson

Here, Clarkson discusses the main principles of criminal law extensively. He pays particular attention to the general principles of criminal liability. 

7. Invitation to Law by A.W.B Simpson

This is a thorough guide to the profession of law that is aimed at anyone who is potentially intrigued by its workings, intentions, and purposes. 

Bonus title recommendations!

Business law books

• Essentials of Business Law by Jeffrey F. Beatty and Susan S. Samuelson
• Business Law: The Ethical, Global, and Digital Environment by Jamie Darin Prenkert, A James Barnes, Joshua E Perry, Todd Haugh, and Abbey R Stemler

 Corporate law books/ Company law books

• The Interaction Between Competition Law and Corporate Governance Opening the ‘Black Box’ by Florence Thépot
• Predators’ Ball by Connie Bruck                                 

Labour law books

• Impact of I.L.O. Standards on Indian Labour Law by Dr. N Maheshwara Swamy    
• Impact of ILO Conventions on Indian Labour Legislation by Sunitha Kanipakam                          

Contract law books

• The Story of Contract Law: Formation by Val Ricks
• The Indian Contract Act, 1872 

 Criminal law books

• Criminal Manual (Cr. P.C., I.P.C. and Evidence) by Universal’s Legal Manual
• The Indian Penal Code by Ratanlal and Dhirajlal

Family law books

• Modern Indian Family Law by Werner Menski
• Do Your Divorce Right, Straight Talk from Family Court Judges by Andrew Horton and John David Kennedy

Key takeaways

• The decision to take up law as your profession will prove to be full of hard work and the road leading to this career requires a lot of lessons to be learned along the way. 
• You will find many of these law books online. 
• There is an incredible amount of value, insight, and advice to be gained from reading all the recommended books listed above. 
• The fact that they come from such distinguished institutions is reason enough to take up this task in preparation for your future.

We hope you found this blog informative. Don’t forget to comment below and share your thoughts! You can also get in touch with us if you have any doubts. 

Liked this blog? Read: Beginners ultimate guide to applying for student loans

FAQs

Q1. Is law school difficult?

Answer- We are sure you know the answer to this but let’s say it anyway. Law school is extremely difficult!

Q2. Which are some of the fundamental law books for beginners?

Answer- Full Disclosure: The New Lawyer’s Must-Read Career Guide by Christen Civiletto Carey is a good book.

Q3 What are the categories of law books?

Answer- A few categories of low books are- 

• Business law
• Company law
• Llabor law
• Family law
• Administrative law
• Banking law
• Contract law
• Criminal law
• Universal law
• Corporate law