There’s know shortage of books for lawyers, and as most of you already know, being a great attorney is about way more than just understanding the laws that impact your clients.
That’s obviously important, but there’s more to it, isn’t there?
To be truly great, you have to understand a lot of things – from how business works to how your own mind works. You need to understand how to combat the stress that comes with the job just as much as you need to understand the art of negotiating.
That’s why, in this list of must-read books for lawyers, we’re presenting you with books that were – and were not – intended for legal professionals. The hope is this collection of works will encourage you to expand your legal and non-legal skills in a way that will set you apart from your less-well-read colleagues. Enjoy.
1. Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman
Imagine how your practice would change if you understood the way people think and make decisions. The New York Times Best-selling book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, can help with that.
In it, Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman explores the two systems of thought that drive human behavior: the fast, intuitive, and emotional System 1, and the slow, deliberate, and logical System 2.
For lawyers, this book offers invaluable insights into cognitive biases and decision-making – skills that are essential when advising clients, facing off with opposing counsel, or persuading a jury. By recognizing how these mental processes work, you can better anticipate the actions of others and avoid common pitfalls in your own reasoning.
2. The Art of Negotiation: How to Improvise Agreement in a Chaotic World, by Michael Wheeler
Negotiation is at the heart of legal practice, whether you’re brokering settlements or hammering out the terms of a contract. In The Art of Negotiation, Michael Wheeler – a Harvard Business School professor and member of Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation – provides a fresh perspective on this critical skill, emphasizing the importance of improvisation and adaptability.
Unlike the rigid negotiation strategies offered in earlier books on negotiation, Wheeler’s approach encourages flexibility and creative problem-solving – qualities that are especially useful when you’re dealing with the unpredictability of clients, judges, and other lawyers. With real-world examples and practical advice, this book equips you to find common ground and craft solutions even in the most challenging situations.
3. Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That Is and What You Can Do About It, by Steven Pressfield
As a former lawyer turned writer/author coach, I recommend this book to both my writing clients and former legal colleagues. While certainly not written for lawyers, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t – with its intense focus on clarity, precision, and persuasiveness – can make anybody into a better writer.
While the title may be a bit cheeky, the advice is profound. Pressfield emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience, cutting unnecessary fluff, and getting straight to the point. For lawyers who spend countless hours drafting briefs, memos, and correspondence, this book serves as an impactful reminder to make every word count.
4. Emotional Intelligence 2.0, by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
Emotional intelligence (EI) – the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and those of others – may be the modern era’s most important soft skill for lawyers.
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 provides a practical guide to developing EI through self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. Packed with actionable tips and an impressive self-assessment tool, this book can help you improve client relationships, foster teamwork within your firm, and navigate difficult conversations with grace and confidence.
5. Winning Arguments: What Works and Doesn’t Work in Politics, the Bedroom, the Courtroom, and the Classroom, by Stanley Fish
Much of the work that we do as attorneys hinges on our ability to craft persuasive arguments. In Winning Arguments, Stanley Fish – a renowned literary theorist and legal scholar – explores the science and art of persuasion.
Within the book, Fish explores rhetorical strategies, highlighting what works (and what doesn’t) in various settings. Along the way, he uses real-world examples that are so recognizable and relatable that he can make just about anyone a believer in his methods.
6. The E-Myth Attorney: Why Most Legal Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber and Robert Armstrong
This book confronts a hard truth head-on: while many attorneys are great at being attorneys, they often lack the business acumen it takes to build their practices into successful ventures. The E-Myth Attorney is a must-read for lawyers who want to build sustainable practices without burning out.
Gerber and Armstrong provide actionable advice on everything from client acquisition to workflow optimization. Their insights can help attorneys shift from working in their practices to working on them, with the goal of creating long-term growth and stability. The authors’ methods are so effective, in fact, that they’ve built an entire E-Myth empire that coaches the leaders of all types of organizations on building and maintaining thriving businesses.
7. The Anxious Lawyer: An 8-Week Guide to a Joyful and Satisfying Law Practice Through Mindfulness and Meditation, by Jeena Cho and Karen Gifford
By now, we all know the statistics on lawyers, stress, and anxiety disorders. Having that knowledge is one thing, but what can we do about it?
The Anxious Lawyer certainly provides one answer. In it, authors Jeena Cho and Karen Gifford offer an eight-week guide to mindfulness and meditation specifically designed for legal professionals.
Perhaps the greatest thing about this book is that both Cho and Gifford were practicing attorneys when they wrote it. Thus, they know firsthand what the daily stressors of the practice look like. Their book offers practical techniques to bring calm and focus to your daily practice, all with the goal of helping you build a more joyful and balanced career.
8. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson
Not only was this book turned into a major motion picture after reaching the number one spot on the New York Times best-seller list, it also received an impressive list of awards, including the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, the NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction, and the Books for a Better Life Award.
Just Mercy is more than a book; it’s a call to action. In this powerful memoir, Bryan Stevenson recounts his experiences as a young attorney fighting for justice on behalf of marginalized individuals through the organization he founded – the Equal Justice Initiative.
While not a traditional legal guide, Just Mercy offers profound lessons on empathy, perseverance, and the moral responsibilities of legal professionals. It’s a poignant reminder of why many lawyers are drawn to the profession in the first place: to make a difference.
9. The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right, by Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande’s book, The Checklist Manifesto, has been a game-changer for me in law and other business pursuits. In this insightful and highly practical work, Gawande – a renowned surgeon and writer – demonstrates how simple checklists can streamline complex processes, reduce errors, and improve outcomes across a variety of fields, including medicine, aviation, construction, and yes, even law.
Drawing on real-world examples and engaging anecdotes, Gawande illustrates how implementing checklists can lead to better communication, clearer organization, and fewer mistakes, even in high-pressure environments.
For lawyers, this book is an invaluable resource for improving efficiency and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks, whether you’re drafting contracts, preparing for trial, or managing client relationships.
Gawande’s argument is compelling: it’s not about intelligence or expertise but about creating systems to manage complexity. Lawyers of all practice areas will find practical takeaways to apply immediately, making this a must-read for anyone seeking to elevate their professional game.
10. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, by Phil Knight
While not directly related to law, Shoe Dog is one of the best and most inspiring business books I’ve ever read. It provides invaluable insights into leadership, perseverance, and navigating challenges – qualities that are essential for success in any profession.
Lawyers can draw lessons from Knight’s journey in building a global brand, including the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking to success. You may also take particular interest in Knight’s view on lawyers – and why it’s good to hire them into your business.
“When you hired a lawyer,” he writes, “you knew he or she could talk. When you hired a marketing expert or product developer, what did you know? Nothing. You couldn’t predict what he or she could do or if he or she could do anything.” Inspiring words for those of you who may be considering careers outside of the law.
Conclusion
In the end, being a great lawyer is about much more than mastering the law – it’s about mastering yourself, your practice, and your ability to connect with others. The books on this list offer insights, inspiration, and tools to help you grow as a professional and as a person. Here’s to expanding your mind and your potential – happy reading!
