Introduction to the Study & Practice of Law in a Nutshell

by Kenney F. Hegland

The Second Case in the World; Legal Analysis Made Simple; Thoughts on Stare Decisis, Relative Value and Ethics; Studying Lass: Looking Busy is Not Enough; Reading Cases; Briefing Cases; General Study Tips; Writing Lass' Exams: The Only Skill Worth Having; More Stuff on Exams; Fear and Loathing in the First Year; Pretrial Process; Trials; Legal Argument (Moot Court); Mechanics of Oral Argument; Legal Research: High Drama in Dull Places; Legal Writing;...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0314247157
• ISBN13: 9780314247155
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: West Group
• Length: 429 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 5.0" x 1.0"

Customer Reviews

very worthwhile read for law school prep

i have read several law school prep books and this is one of my top 3. the book is very detailed, even providing sample exam questions and answers. this book is full of good information, but is easy to read and understand. i would definitely recommend this book.

Buy It, Borrow It, Just Get It.

The single best book that I have found which really does explain the study and practice of law, hence the title.

Not enough can be said of this book

A little book like this might not seem all that useful by its cover, but there is a LOT of content in here. I bought this book halfway through my second semester of law school, after coming out of a very rocky first semester in which I really didn't know what I was doing. Now, I'm actually on top of things, and I believe this book made the difference. Hegland packed this book with strategies: classroom strategies, writing strategies, argument strategies, career strategies. Rather than simply tell you what law school is like, he tells you how to play the system. His three-pronged strategy for shooting down "slippery slope" arguments is an excellent example, as are his stories from people in various legal professions (ranging from judges to librarians). And he stops often to show the big picture of law school, and remind the reader that all their "enormous" mistakes ultimately add up to very little. Very, very highly recommended, preferably for those *considering* law school, but also for those in law school and needing guidance.

My first year security blanket

I spent a good bit of time with this little book before and during my first year in law school. I read it very carefully, and even wrote out answers to the questions. The effort was well worth it. If you're scared to death, don't know what to expect, and want to do well, this book won't let you down. Hegland begins the process of teaching a law student how to think, and helps one keep the big picture in mind. This book also started my profitable relationship with the nutshell series.

This book is an excellent source for 1L's.

This book gave me something that I wanted to hear for a long time, it gave me encouragement. It made me realized that the first year of law school will be a difficult one, but you can get through it. It was insightful, informative and filled with great humor. I think all 1L's feel intimitated during their first year of law school. This book provided everything that the first year student should know during that first year. The humor was the refreshing part, I never knew lawyers had a sense of humor, but this author will surely make you laugh. He gave excellent advice on what to expect the first couple of weeks. This is book is great for students who are scared to death of the first year. This book wil help you realize that you are not the dumbest person in the class if you don't understand the material. I feel I can make it through the first year of law school without having a nervous breakdown.