This book is written for lawyers who want to master the art of practicing law, whether they are in private practice, in government agency practice, or working in-house for a business corporation or a non-profit organization. The book fills the gap between the critical skills taught in traditional law school courses and the additional skills and attributes that are needed to be highly effective as a lawyer. Law students reading this book will gain helpful insights about the practice of law as they decide where they want to practice. Practical guidance is provided on a number of topics, including these: building trust in professional relationships; communicating effectively with clients, colleagues and other people; dealing with difficult people; developing leadership skills; creating and maintaining solid relationships with clients; representing clients well; effective advocacy; the art of negotiation; using case themes and storytelling in civil lawsuits; taking effective depositions; working with expert witnesses; making the most of mediation as an alternative to litigation; handling ethical challenges; representing clients wholeheartedly without compromising personal morality or integrity; and maintaining personal well-being. The author is a successful lawyer with extensive experience, both as a law firm partner in private practice and as Assistant General Counsel in the legal department of a Fortune 100 company.

Based on the latest research, this entertaining, practical guide offers law students a formula for success in school, on the bar exam, and as a practicing attorney. Mastering the law, either as a law student or in practice, becomes much easier if one has a working knowledge of the brain's basic habits. Before you can learn to think like a lawyer, you have to have some idea about how the brain thinks. The first part of this book translates the technical research, explaining learning strategies that work for the brain in law school specifically, and calling out other tactics that are useless (though often popular lures for the misinformed). This book is unique in explaining the science behind the advice and will save you from pursuing tempting shortcuts that will take you in the wrong direction. The second part explores the brain's decision-making processes and cognitive biases. These biases affect the ability to persuade, a necessary skill of the successful lawyer. The book talks about the art and science of framing, the seductive lure of the confirmation and egocentric biases, and the egocentricity of the availability bias. This book uses easily recognizable examples from both law and life to illustrate the potential of these biases to draw humans to mistaken judgments. Understanding these biases is critical to becoming a successful attorney and gaining proficiency in fashioning arguments that appeal to the sometimes quirky processing of the human brain. This book is part of the Context and Practice Series, edited by Michael Hunter Schwartz, Professor of Law and Dean of the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. Your Brain and Law School was a finalist in the Best Published Self-Help and Psychology category of the 2015 San Diego Book Awards

Often the most profound, and emotionally memorable, moments in the practice of law occur in behind-the-scenes "backstories." These backstories reveal sometimes-wrenching private meetings with clients or their families, encounters with others, such as Governor George Wallace, perhaps the most notorious racist of the twentieth century, in his hospital room after he was shot and paralyzed, reflections on the nature of truth, and a heartfelt homage to the equalizing force of the American jury system. Kramon's book contains an overarching theme: we advance the rule of law even in the routine practice of our profession, and, in so doing, we acquire wisdom, often from the most unlikely sources. Certain to inform, instruct and entertain lawyers and laymen alike -Stephen H. Sachs, Former Attorney General of Maryland and United States Attorney

A classic ABA bestseller, you'll find over 100 chapters packed with techniques for getting started.

While new law school graduates are pretty well versed in black letter law, they often lack the interpersonal and psychological skills that are imperative to a successful legal career. This book challenges the new lawyer to view themselves through the lens of their colleagues and clients and also to be aware of the basic behavioral norms that are the basis of a successful practice.