Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success

by Helene S. Shapo

This concise, plain-spoken book is the single indispensable guide for beginning law students. Field-tested by students all over the country for more than a dozen years for its practicality and its psychological realism, it has proved an invaluable introduction to:

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Education

248 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jesslyn]

It offers very little in terms of strategies for success. Most of the chapters attempt to give you insight into legal concepts. Normally that would be fine, but I was hoping to get insight into what my first year of law school would be like. "1L of a ride" blew this out of the water.

[Joe]

This introduction to law school demystifies the experience, so it is required reading for the first semester of at least one school. Since law students enter from a variety of backgrounds, this book covers many things, much of which incoming students will already know, but it's impossible to say what a single specific student will know. I was worried that the book would oversell law school, or condescend to its audience, but I didn't think there was too much of either of those.

[Caitlin Schultz]

This book is a must-read for someone entering law school. When I read it the summer before my first semester, I thought it was kind of cliche. But after I started school, I realized how much it truly prepared me for what I would experience.

[Mike Garrigan]

An excellent perspective on the law school experience.

The Shapos offer a broad overview of fundamental legal concepts. Also, they suggest helpful tips for taking exams, weighing policies, and writing well.

[LauraLee]

Excellent information on law school basics.

[L.A.L.]

One of the better guides to navigating the first year of law school. Highly recommend this to anyone getting ready to start law school.

[Jennifer Ellingson]

First required reading for law school. We'll see how much it helps...

[Dawn]

This is a helpful primer that should be read before one's first year of law school. I found its most helpful advice to be on the topics of briefing a case and legal reasoning.

[Liza]

Found this a very helpful starter on law school general information. Not particularly advanced knowledge, but a good first book.

[SallyStenger]

Not quite as interesting - general information about law school.