In their professional lives, courtroom lawyers must do these two things: speak persuasively and write persuasively. In this noteworthy book, two of...
read full description
reviews
Jan 11, 2010
penny
rated it: 
Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, however, I am employed by a law firm. Among my many tasks, I am their librarian, a role I begged to hold despite not having all the official alphabet soup most legal librarians possess. The following review is mine and my thoughts and opinions alone (as they all are).
Late last year I saw announcements of this title in various publications. While reviewing my 2009 budget and various reviews to see the benefit of this book to our shelves an associate More...
Late last year I saw announcements of this title in various publications. While reviewing my 2009 budget and various reviews to see the benefit of this book to our shelves an associate More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 14, 2010
Sam
rated it: 
Garner and Scalia provide an easily-digestible and very readable compendium of tips and insights on, first and foremost, endearing one's self to a court. This is not a book about legal philosophy, but rather how to be an advocate that is useful to the judge(s) before whom you may appear, and in doing so, how to cultivate a reputation of professionalism and competence that will make you a more effective advocate in the long-term.
Although much of the advice is common sense (i.e. arrive More...
Although much of the advice is common sense (i.e. arrive More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 15, 2010
Cjwaraksa
rated it:
This book includes a section on "General Principles of Argumentation" and another on "Legal Reasoning" that I think would be particularly interesting to law students or new attorneys. I wish I had beeng given something similar in law school. The other sections, "Briefing" and "Oral Argument" were also interesting, thought at times a bit obvious and at others a bit trivial. Does such a short volume really need to take time to address the use of contract
More...
Oct 01, 2008
Mazola1
rated it:
Legal writing expert Bryan Garner and Justice Antonin Scalia combined forces to produce this book about the art of legal argumentation, both written and oral. While it will probably be of interest mostly to lawyers, it still has a lot of useful material for anyone who makes a living by either spoken or written persuasion. It is clearly written and offers numerous practical tips on how to best make your case. The non-lawyer readers can just skip over the stuff that is obviously intended specifica
More...
Nov 23, 2008
Dawn
rated it: 
This book came out right before my first state supreme court argument. As much as I dislike Scalia's politics and Garner's self-importance, it's a great little reference book. It's a quick read and actually fairly entertaining.
Sep 26, 2008
Kimberly
rated it:
I enjoyed reading this book because it highlighted some important aspects of writing and arguing as a lawyer. It gave practical advice about how to write a great brief and argue before a judge. I found the details about grammar and vocabulary to be incredibily helpful because some lawyers prefer for young lawyers to write one way yet law school and this book teaches you another way. For example, Justice Scalia states that you should make a complex subject simple by using clear short sentences
More...
Jan 21, 2009
Matt
rated it:
Add a star if you're a law student or lawyer, subtract one if you're not. A pretty solid advice manual about law things -- worth it primarily for Justice Scalia's rant against contractions in legal briefs (I disagree with him, in this point as in many others, but he is certainly an expert in making his point forcefully!).
Jan 17, 2009
Kimberly
rated it:
Justice Scalia is the most conservative Supreme Court Justice in recent history, and if this book teaches me how to persuade someone like him, it's worth the read!
Sep 13, 2010
Brent
rated it:
A Supreme Court justice and the authority on legal writing instruct lawyers about how to think, write, and speak to present a case in the best light.
Mar 19, 2011
Mike
rated it:
If you argue cases before courts, find out what they're thinking and what will help them. Justice Scalia tells you what he's thinking.
Dec 15, 2009
Mark
rated it:
Many truisms, but some very good insights into the structure of written appeals. It was worth reading, even though it was Justice Scalia.
Sep 20, 2009
Danelley
rated it:
Definitely a must-read for anyone in law school or graduated. Helps you learn how to "hone-in" on your audience, usually a judge for your legal briefs and presentations. Helps you to prepare a concise and well-researched legal case. I'm reading it because it looked interesting. (I've been reading a few of Adam's law books here and there -- the one on Tort law was also interesting.)
Scalia is just a brilliant man with a biting wit. I've read a few of his supreme court c More...
Scalia is just a brilliant man with a biting wit. I've read a few of his supreme court c More...
Jun 05, 2008
Snarky's
rated it:
For me this book is the new "Stephen King on Writing". While it is not a writing guide or a style manual, watching a master wordsmith bring his A game to the court day after day is mad instructional. Again, let me stress that I think his political leanings are nightmarish, but god, I really am in hearts with his writing. I love his clean, cheeky, dynamic style and nuanced consideration that goes into writing at this well. I love reading his decisions; always have, so this book was a re
More...
Jul 15, 2010
Peter
rated it:
Superb guidance for both experience appellate lawyers, as well as new lawyers who aspire to be appellate lawyers. Short, concise, and, at times, witty. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Oct 22, 2008
Cheryl
rated it:
Antonin Scalia isn't one of my favorites as Supreme Court justices go, "originalist" that he is. However, as I'm reading this book, I'm coming to see how much goes into the development of case law, and what is expected when one presents a case before appellate courts. It offers insights into the thinking and processes of adjudication, and how one can present compelling arguments, not only before the bench, but in almost any situation.
Oct 24, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
great for me, but non-attys won't find much here. i keep it at the office, i think the oral argument section will be helpful to review in preparation for them.
Read all the way thru now and picked up for parts of it since. If you are an appellate attorney, read it....otherwise, read about Scalia, more entertaining!
Read all the way thru now and picked up for parts of it since. If you are an appellate attorney, read it....otherwise, read about Scalia, more entertaining!
May 21, 2008
The best concise book I've read on what arguments, techniques, and briefing formats are most persuasive to judges. Anyone more interested in a more complete treatment of good briefing practices should also read Garner's "The Winning Brief." I've already assigned them both to our interns this summer to read.
Jan 13, 2011
Josh
rated it:
If you're a lawyer who makes arguments of any kind, this book is essential. If you're a lawyer who writes, this book will make you a better lawyer. If you like to argue and the law interests you, this book is a great read from a curmudgeonly justice and the top linguistic and legal writing authority.
May 22, 2010
Sandy
rated it:
I've written a LOT of briefs, but I still found some useful tips in this book. It was written in an entertaining style as well, and I always think it's useful and interesting to hear from judges about what they want to see in a brief.
I've recommended this to other attorneys I work with.
I've recommended this to other attorneys I work with.
Sep 09, 2008
Kit
rated it:
Good advice. Some is obvious, some insn't. But all of it is stuff that legal people should be reminded of now and again. And by legal people I mean people who make the law their career, not as in opposed to illegal people because that is a whole separate topic.
Nov 09, 2008
Linda
rated it:
I was surprised at the format of this book. It's organized as a reference book rather than a narrative. Extremely helpful for all stages of the process, from writing a brief to the oral argument. I wish I'd had it during my first year of law school.
Jun 09, 2008
Chris
rated it:
I read this book three times in a two week period...research for work. It is really well done, obviously not for everyone. Very simple and concise, but it leaves you with an enormous bibliography if you want to delve deeper.
Jul 25, 2008
Ben
rated it: 
Not happy. Certainly that is because I have (1) read all of Garner's books and (2) read many of Scalia's opinions. Because of that, this was mostly repetitive and, sadly, watered-down to reach a larger audience.
Dec 16, 2008
Michael
rated it:
A great handbook to appellate advocacy. But a handbook can only get you so far without lots and lots of practice.
Feb 09, 2012
