List of Readings for Entering Law Students

Suggested by the Library: For basic legal background and practical first year techniques

Call numbers and locations are for UW College of Law,
George William Hopper Law Library collection

• Barber, D.H., Winning in Law school: Stress reduction, Law Distributors, 1983 KF 287 .B37 1983
  The focus of this book is the stress you will encounter in law school and how to reduce it. It is a valuable book to read before the rush of law school begins.
• Burkhart, How to Study Law and Take Law Exams (nutshell), West Pub. Co., 1996 Reserve KF 283 .B87 1996
  First year study hints, resources, curriculum, exams, classroom experiences, outlines and a brief introduction to the legal system.
• Burnham, Introduction to the Law and Legal System of the United States, 2d ed, West Group, 1999 Reserve KF 386 .B88 1999
  More in-depth reading for the novice; extensive introduction to legal system and methodology, brief review of different areas of law: administrative law, civil procedure, criminal procedure, Constitutional law, contracts, torts, property, family law, criminallaw, business law, tax law.
• Calamari, John D. and Perillo, Joseph M., How to Thrive in Law School, Hook Mountain Press, 1984 KF 283 .C34 1984
  Law Professor’s brief introduction to law school; sample cases and briefs, exam question and answer segment. Not an in-depth treatment.
• Canada, Ralph, Surviving the First Year of Law School, Lord Publishing, 1978 KF 283 .C36 1978
  This is an old book with an interesting and useful approach. Written by three graduates of the Harvard Law School, this book covers all elements of the first year of law school, including classroom environment from the student’s perspective, case briefing, and outline preparation. Examples are included.
• Deaver, Jeff, The Complete Law School Companion, John Wiley & Sons, 1984 KF 283 .D4 1984
  This is an excellent source with good coverage of first year skills, including instructions and examples for outlines, testing, briefing, reading and preparing for class. The text includes an explanation of likely 1L classes and their resources.
• Delaney, John, How to Do Your Best on Law School Exams, Professor John Delaney, 1982 KF 283 .D44 1982
  Perhaps premature to be entered on such a list, but once first year classes begin, there will be little time for such reading. And this is a worthwhile source. Law school exams are different than any you have probably ever taken. This book takes you through the steps of examination preparation and writing, along with samples.
• Fischl, Richard Michael, Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams, Carolina Academic Press,1999 KF 283 .F57 1999
  Reaching far beyond the traditional explanations for writing law school exams, this text initiates a more complete process for test-taking while addressing analytical skills firstyear law students will be learning. It is an in-depth treatment, fairly complex to the new legal learner, but the system as it is explained should make excellent test-takers out of those who understand the material.
• Hegeland, K., Introduction to the Study and Practice of Law, 4th ed. (nutshell), West Pub Co, 2003 Reserve KF 273 .H4 2003
  Hints and tips on study, exams, case briefing, case reading, careers; covers some trial aspects, easy reading.
• La Rue, L., A Student’s Guide to the Study of Law: An Introduction, Matthew Bender, 1987 KF 283 .L36 1987
  An easy-to-read introduction to first year skills.
• Lewis, Mario T.D., The Law School Rules: 115 Survival Strategies to Make the Challenges of Law School Seem Like "Small Stuff", Harmony Books, 1999 KF 283 .L49 1999
  One-page tidbits, many of these suggestions are common sense. Written by a law school graduate, the book is a fun browsing resource.
• McClurg, Andrew, The Law School Trip: the insider’s guide to law school, Footnote Press, 2001 PN 6231 .L4 .M32 2001
  A hilarious, tongue-in-cheek review of the law school experience that nevertheless allows you to see what you are up against. There is no real substantive content, but the fun look at the law school atmosphere is informative.
• Moliterno, James E., An Introduction to Law, Law Study, and the Lawyer’s Role, Carolina Academic Press, 1991 KF 237 .M65 1991
  Creative explanation of development of law system using futuristic scenario; covers case briefing and legal research assignments such as memorandums and client letters.
• Shapo, Helene and Marshall, Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success, Foundation Press, 1996 Reserve KF 240 .S52 1996
  Written by professors when their children went to law school, this book covers the basics of law school, touching on course material and teaching techniques that will be new to incoming students like legal writing and reasoning and remedies. There are tips for study, exam-taking, and handling the psychological aspects of law school.
• Silver, Theodore, Your Key to Success in Law School, Monarch Pr., 1981 KF 283 .S57 1981
  In a brief introduction the authors cover basic questions of first year students. The rest of the book is a workbook on legal reasoning with sample cases, elementary discussion of contract and tort topics, and essay answers to the writing exercises. It is a very simple and straightforward introduction to a very important lawyering skill.