Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury by Michael S Lief

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury

Greatest Closing Arguments in Modern Law

Michael S Lief, Ben Bycel, H. Mitchell Caldwell

Scribner · Print & ebook · June 2, 2000

The closing arguments from ten noteworthy cases—“lawyers and nonlawyers will enjoy the passion and eloquence of these counselors; practitioners of law will find much to learn from them” (Los Angeles Times Book Review).

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Genres
Courts & Judicial System, True Crime, Legal Profession
Published
Scribner, June 2, 2000

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About this book

The closing arguments from ten noteworthy cases—“lawyers and nonlawyers will enjoy the passion and eloquence of these counselors; practitioners of law will find much to learn from them” (Los Angeles Times Book Review). Until now, only the twelve jurors who sat in judgment were able to appreciate these virtuoso performances, where weeks of testimony were boiled down and presented with flair, wit, and high drama.

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For five years the authors researched every archive, and readers can now lose themselves in the summations of America’s finest litigators. Clarence Darrow saves Leopold and Loeb from the gallows in the Roaring Twenties. Gerry Spence takes on the nuclear power industry for the death of Karen Silkwood in a modern-day David and Goliath struggle. Vincent Bugliosi squares off against the madness of Charles Manson and his murderous “family” in the aftermath of their bloody spree. Clara Foltz, the first woman to practice law in California, argues passionately to an all-male jury, defending her place in the courtroom. Bobby DeLaughter brings the killer of civil-rights leader Medgar Evers to justice after thirty years and two mistrials. Aubrey Daniel brings Lt. William Calley, Jr., to justice for the My Lai massacre. William Kunstler challenges the establishment after the 1968 Chicago riots in his defense of yippie leaders known as the Chicago Seven. Each closing argument is put into context by the authors, who provide historical background, a brief biography of each attorney, and commentary, pointing out the trial tactics used to great effect by the lawyers, all in accessible, reader-friendly language.

Where it sits

Courts & Judicial System36%
True Crime28%
Legal Profession20%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Jurisprudence & Legal Theory
  • Legal History
  • Trial Practice
Authors
Michael S Lief, Ben Bycel, H. Mitchell Caldwell
Publisher
Scribner
Published
June 2, 2000
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory