The American Legal Profession: The Myths and Realities of Practicing Law

I highly recommend this book for anyone considering attending law school. Dr. Banks explains in detail what the process of applying and attending law school is like, as well as what one could reasonably expect in their career as an attorney. This is accomplished in around 100 pages, allowing for the entire book to be completed in a day or two while refraining from being repetitive or dry. All of this is done in an objective manner, which is to say that the author does not set out to persuade or dissuade the reader from choosing to pursue a career in law. Since the work is not setting out to push the audience one way or the other, the author can be trusted to present all relevant research no matter what its conclusions may be. Dr. Banks combines this research with his experiences as a lawyer and a pre-law advisor to offer an insightful view into the legal profession. I chose this book because I was uncertain about whether or not law school was a worthy investment for me. The author provides information about not only the cost of law school, but on expected wages across the legal profession. This data does not answer whether or not someone should or should not work towards their J.D., but instead provides the necessary tools for each individual to make their own decision. For me, that is the true purpose of this book. It allows readers to come to their own decisions about law school, and provides relevant information to support their choice. As someone who was questioning whether law was really for them, I was provided peace of mind by this book. I am more certain than ever before of my path, and I owe a large part of that to Dr. Banks and his work. I truly cannot recommend this book enough.

"The American Legal Profession: The Myths and Realities of Practicing Law" by Christopher P Banks is a clear-eyed and straightforward look at practicing law in the US. It is a lean book under 125 pages and that would include the Index. Topics range from applying to law school all the way to trends in the practice. The chapter on the practice of law was interesting because it covers the known employment of law firms and private practice, but also other employment that utilizes legal expertise. The author keeps the text readable and accessible with useful advice.

This is basically a guide to starting a legal career. What do you need to major in before law school (hint, political science isn't actually a requirement)? What types of law are there (litigation, contract, mergers and acquisition, patent, etc, etc). How does one get a start in the legal practice and, at a high level, what types of paths does a legal career typically take.Recommended for students considering a career in law.

This is the perfect book to read if you're considering going to law school. It is brief and straight to the point, but still gives you every detail you would want to know. It covers every aspect of the application process and does not hold back. The book is very objective so it gives you a real chance to decide if a career as an attorney is the right path for you. A great book and I would recommend it to anyone in the law school application process!

This book's strength lies in its clarity and its brevity. There are no personal anecdotes and the author does not discuss his own experiences in law or academia. Rather, the four chapters are straightforward and meticulously researched, with relevant citations and recommended readings included at the end of each. Banks's discussion of the challenges facing legal reform in the latter half of the book is particularly well-written.I strongly recommend this book to all students considering a law degree.

If you're wondering about getting into the legal profession, this book is a great place to start. It paints a clear picture of the field today, and exactly what a prospective lawyer can expect. From law school application, to continued education requirements, this book will give a clear view of what being a lawyer entails.