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University of Wyoming

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 the UW College of Law,
George William Hopper Law Library collection


Barber, David 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, Ann M. and Stein, Robert A., Law School Success: A Guide to Studying Law and Taking Law School Exams, 2nd ed. (nutshell), West Pub. Co., 2008.
Reserve KF 283 .B87 1996

First year study hints, resources, curriculum, exams, classroom experiences, outlines and a brief introduction to the legal system.

Burnham, William, Introduction to the Law and Legal System of the United States, 4th ed., West Group, 2006.  Reserve KF 386 .B88 2006x

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, criminal law, business law, tax law.

Calamari, John D. and Perillo, Joseph M., How to Thrive in Law School, Hook Mountain Pr., 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.

Calleros, Charles R., Law School Exams: Preparing and Writing to Win, Aspen, 2007.   FACULTY RESERVE

This short (200 page) book conveys two points about exam taking that are vital to every law student: (1) Exam scores can always be improved if the student masters effective exam techniques such as those outlined in this book, and ( 2) preparing to perform well on exams begins with a positive mind-set on the first day of class and steadily proceeds with solid study techniques throughout the semester.  

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.

Darrow-Kleinhaus, Suzanne, Mastering the Law School Exam: A Practical Blueprint for Preparing and Taking Law School Exams, Thomson/West, 2006.
Faculty Reserve Duff

This practical guide to taking law school exams includes detailed examples with analyses of sample answers and helps students fill the gap between what the professor refers to as learning to "think like a lawyer" and the actual means for doing so.

Deaver, Jeff, The Complete Law School Companion, John Wiley & Sons, 1984.
KF 283 .D4 1984

Despite the age of this book, it 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 first year 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.

George, Tracey E. and Sherry, Suzanna, What Every Law Student Really Needs to Know: An Introduction to the Study of Law, Aspen Publishers, 2009. KF 283 .G46 2009

With the aim of decreasing students' anxiety and increasing their chances of achieving academic success, this book prepares students to get through their first year of law school. As a valuable reference over an entire law school career, it will continue to contribute to students' academic success.

Hegland, Kenney F., Introduction to the Study and Practice of Law, 5th ed. (nutshell), West Pub. Co., 2003.  Reserve KF 273 .H4 2008

Hints and tips on study, exams, case briefing, case reading, careers; covers some trial aspects, easy reading.

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 J., 1L of a Ride: A Well-Traveled Professor's Roadmap to Success in the First Year of Law School, Thomson/West, 2009.  KF 287 .M38 2009.

Written by a law professor who has taught for over 20 years at six law schools, this book provides a candid beginning-to-end roadmap of what to expect in the first year, both academically and personally.

McClurg, Andrew J., The Law School Trip: the Insider’s Guide to Law School, Footnote Press, 2001.  LEISURE.

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.

McKinney, Ruth Ann, Reading Like a Lawyer: Time-Saving Strategies for Reading Law Like and Expert, Carolina Academic Press, 2005.  KF 283 .M398 2005

Reading the law well is a crucial skill for any law student or lawyer.  This book teaches the reader to read quickly and effectively in order to master the material, save time, and perform well on exams.

Moliterno, James E., An Introduction to Law, Law Study, and the Lawyer’s Role, 2nd ed., Carolina Academic Pr., 2004.   KF 272 .M64 2004

Creative explanation of development of law system using futuristic scenario; covers case briefing and legal research assignments such as memorandums and client letters.

Ramy, Herbert N., Succeeding in Law School, Carolina Academic Pr., 2006.
Faculty Reserve Duff

Written by the director of a law school Academic Support Program, this book includes chapters entitled "Maintaining a Healthy Mental Approach to Law School" and "Study Groups, Study Aids and Study Schedules."  It also gives the reader a chance to practice writing briefs, outlines and answering exam questions. 

Schwartz, Michael Hunter, Expert Learning for Law Students, Carolina Academic Press, 2005.  KF 283 .S354 2005

This book contains chapters on such helpful topics as memorization strategies, and ways to obtain academic assistance, as well as a thoughtful chapter written for the family and friends of law students.

Shapo, Helene S. and Marshall, Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success, 2nd ed., Foundation Pr., 2002.  Faculty Reserve Duff

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.

Stropus, Ruta K. and Taylor, Charlotte D., Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School: Strategies for Success, Carolina Academic Pr., 2009.  KF 283 .S77 2009

This book helps students make the transition from their undergraduate experience to law school learning. This book explains the "why" of law, providing students with the context necessary to understand why law school is taught in a certain manner. Explains the "how" of the law, setting out a step-by-step process that will help students adapt to the law school setting. Explains the "what" of the law, giving students the opportunity to practice the problem-solving process by providing numerous exercises in a variety of subject matter areas.

Whitebread, Charles D., The Eight Secrets of Top Exam Performance in Law School: An Easy-to-Use, Step-by-Step Approach for Achieving Great Grades, Thomson/West, 2008. 
Reserve KF 283 .W48 2008

This short, easy to read book describes eight secrets of successful exam performance and then walks the reader through several sample exam questions.