I received a copy of this book courtesy of Academy Chicago Publishers.  I jumped at a chance to review this book as it is a satire of the law.  Boy was it very realistic.  I could identify with a great deal that went on in this book. 

    Derek Dover is an associate at the venerable law firm Nibble & Kuhn.  Well this year he is up for partner.  Due to the economy and such, the firm is trying to rebrand itself.  So, they rent bigger and more spacious digs.  The only problem is that the work load isn’t there.  One of the partners is leaving the firm to become a judge.  Well, she took on a case that is turning out to be somewhat of an albatross around the firm’s neck.  In an effort to draw clientele, the firm took on a plaintiff’s case.  There are seven children who have developed cancer as a result of industrial polluters.  A couple of months before this trial, Derek gets handed the case.  Basically the firm wants to get rid of the case, unfortunately Derek can’t get his clients to settle so he has to try the case.  More unfortunate is that the managing partner doesn’t want to spend any more money for expert reports and the like for trial.  To add to this mess, Derek is in love with an associate named Maria Parma.  And his distraction may very well cost him a partnership. 

    Anyway, the trial comes and it is the comedy of errors.  I won’t tell you the outcome.  But let me tell you it is worth the read.  Derek has a moment of inspiration during the trial.  It’s pretty funny actually. 

    In the end Derek decides to turn down the partnership and strike out on his own with a few of his friends that opened a small firm.

    Marcia, at the Printed Page, reviewed this book and thought that the book moved too slow.  Obviously I didn’t feel that way.  In reality this is how cases are tried.  It is a very laborious process; and it moves slowly by design. Boy, the experts Derek end up with made me laugh so hard.  In complex cases, the case turns on the “battle of the experts” so you have to choose carefully.  If you don’t, you’re opponent will tear your guy to shreds. 

    What I liked most about the book was the realistic portrayal of large law firms.  Contrary to popular myth, not every attorney tries cases.  In fact large firm associates get into court much, much later than attorneys at smaller firms.  For instance, I started out working for a small firm of 4 attorneys.  I went to court on my own two weeks after I started.  One of my former roommates works for a large firm; we’ve been out since 2005, and she’s never done a deposition. 

    So if you are interested in seeing a realistic portrayal of the law, read this.

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