Book Description
Broad coverage, flexible organization, and an introductory level structure make Introduction to Law suitable for a variety of departments and. The text provides students with an overview of the U.S. legal system using real cases to illustrate the substance of the law, as well as major functions and procedures, promoting development of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
- New! Updated cases in almost every chapter keep students informed of the most current issues.
- New! An Internet Tip feature refers students to additional case material on the companion web site.
- New! The companion web site includes chapter outlines, useful links, and additional cases to help reinforce and illustrate concepts addressed in the text.
Customer Reviews:
Introduction to Law & the Legal System.......2007-08-13
I have used several editions of this work over the years and found it very useful but the publisher lets students access ready-made case briefs from the text on their own webpage thus undercutting one of the most important pedagogical reasons to have an Intro to Law work. I contacted the publishers and they insist that this serves some other purpose -- I thought the purpose of an academic text was to serve the needs of pedagogy. It serves the purpose of making me, a long-time user of this text, to turn away from it until the publishers get some sense of the needs of professors everywhere who do not wish to dumb-down expectations of their students.
Book Description
This complete introduction to law places emphasis on ethics and international issues, showing readers how to engage in ethical, analytical reasoning with every topic from legal fundamentals to areas of substantive law. The features of this book encourage readers to apply critical thinking, organizational and summation skills, and legal research tools to solve specific legal problems.
The American court system, criminal law and ethics, contracts and E-Commerce, family law, real and personal property, agency, employment, and equal opportunity law, intellectual property and internet law, and administrative law, consumer, investor, and environmental protection.
For paralegals, legal assistants, lawyers, and all legal professionals.
Book Description
Readers will come away from Introduction to Law with a new understanding of how the American legal system functions. The book successfully introduces the major areas of law with a look at the principles and terminology of each. Plus, it examines the roles of governmental structures and various legal professionals and the part each plays in the system. Interest in the topic is further piqued by a presentation of new cases in every chapter, as well as a discussion of current issues in such areas as procedure, torts, probate and domestic relations. Finally, readers can challenge the knowledge they have gained through suggested Internet research.
Customer Reviews:
Not as good as I'd hoped.......2005-02-04
This book did not teach me nearly as much as I'd hoped. It gives a very superficial outline of a lot of topics, but somehow when I finished, I didn't feel like I'd learned anything.
a MUST for future law students.......2001-06-13
I have purchased a number of law-related books from Amazon, but this book is by far the standout of the bunch. It systematically covers all of the major topics covered in the courses offered at every law school in the US comprehensively, even explaining the case briefing process. This new edition incorporates actual case law, allowing you to sample the work done at law school before actual signing your loan check and taking the plunge. Dunham clearly explains all of the basic terminology and principles underlying the first year of law school, providing the law student-to-be a firm foundation and a peace of mind before starting classes. I recommend this book without reservation to ANYONE interested in law school or interested in bulking up on their knowledge of the substance and form of law in the United States.
First Interesting Textbook I Ever Read.......2001-06-10
I ordered this book as a requirement for an introductory paralegal course and was at first a little aprehensive about the books thickness. I started out knowing absolutely nothing about the law, the government, or the internal workings of the legal system. This book teaches the beginnings of modern law and the influences of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The basics of many common areas of law are also covered such as contracts, probate, property, torts, criminal law, family law, and many more. This book teaches a great amount of useful information in an easy to read and easy to understand format. Plenty of possible real life scenarios are used as examples as well as real cases to help you dive deeper into the subject you are trying to grasp. This is the first school textbook I've ever actually enjoyed reading from. Key terms are boldened for easier reference and studying. For anyone interested in learning about a variety of beginning law topics, it is definately an investment worth making.
Book Description
Demonstrates the interplay and interdependence of the Federal Rules of Evidence to reveal more of their character as an integrated code of evidence. There are, for serious students and practitioners, frequent citations to authorities. The entire text has been carefully reviewed, resulting in both substantive and editorial revisions. Subjects that are brought up-to-date include admission of scientific and probabilistic evidence, rape shield and related statutes, hearsay, and constitutional evidence doctrine. Use as a supplement to an evidence course, as a principal course book, or as a basic text assigned prior to the study of advanced evidence of trial advocacy.
Customer Reviews:
As good as being in a class with Lilly.......2005-12-19
I'm actually not just saying that: I just finished taking Evidence with Graham Lilly, and his (excellent) book captures his lectures almost perfectly. I'm shocked that such a clear, lucid explanation of the Federal Rules of Evidence (as well as their evolution and major common law departures) fits in such a tiny, succint book.
One caveat: HE JUST FINISHED WRITING A NEW EDITION, so that should be available soon. This will be useful since certain things have changed since the 1996 (3rd) edition was released (for example, the amendment to the FRE allowing the use of the hearsay statement itself as acceptable but not sufficient grounds for finding a conspiracy exists for the hearsay exemption).
Thank God for Graham Lilly.......2003-03-21
I recently took evidence with one of the worst teachers in the history of the legal profession. Thank god Lilly's book is clear, thorough, and resourceful.
Solid Book From A Students Perspective........2001-07-11
I found this book very useful both during law school and at my summer clerkships. While most states, or at least a good portion, have adopted something similar to the Federal rules on evidence, this book provides help understanding that tradition as well as the common law. This book does a really good job of providing a summation of either without proving too difficult to learn from or to sit with for extended periods of time. The only concern I would raise is if your state or the one you practice in goes clearly one way it may be better to buy the specific hornbook for your state. But for me, I'm not sure where I am going to end up for the bar so reading both sides has helped me tremendously.
Book Description
Intended for law students, lawyers, and legal scholars from foreign countries; U.S. graduate and undergraduate college students; and members of the general reading public in the United States. For use as the text of an introductory course on U.S. law, as a reference, or for self-study.
Customer Reviews:
Not a sleeping pill.......2005-08-11
Burnhams book on U.S. law and its legal system is great for anyone who wants to learn or study U.S. law. It is comprehensive in that it provides the basics on the most important parts of substantive and procedural law. For foreign law students and jurists in particular it gives a well written and very understandable introduction into U.S. law. Professor Burnham seems to intentionally adress "foreigners" in certain sections explaining the similarities, but also the existing differences between the common law system and the civil law system (as he defines the central European legal system). This makes many topics easier to understand for outsiders. The in depth explanation of the adversary system and its implications for some U.S. particularities is also valuable, as are the guidelines for legal reserch.
Buy this book for starting to learn U.S. law or as a reference book. I grab it now and then just because it actually offers good and informative reading.
(This review is based on the First Edition of the book)
Comprehensive!.......1999-12-14
I have used the Burnham book for five years in my Introduction to American Law class of foreign LL.M students. This is the only book I have found that gives such a comprehensive introduction to American law. It provides an excellent survey. It is at once complete enough to use alone for a course, and at the same time useful as a foundation for special exploration of specific areas of interest.
Review of Intro to the Law and Legal System of the US 1999.......1999-12-14
I have recommended this book to every one of my colleagues who has taught the American legal system course in our London programe. When I heard of the publication of the second edition, I immediately asked my West representative to favor me with a desk copy. The task of finding materials suitable for lawyers pursuing a comparative master's degree at Notre Dame bedeviled me for several years. Almost every introductory text on the American legal system seemed to offer a basic understanding of American history in general and Constitutional history in particular. Books that treated fundamentals of the adversary system, or that described the legal profession or the judicial system, often contained little if any exposition of substantive areas of the law. Materials that described substantive legal areas often anticipated an understanding of the institutional regime that applied the law. The day Burnham's Introduction to the Law and Legal System of the United States crossed my desk was bright indeed. As I scanned the table of contents, I was struck at how it tracked the syllabus of the course I was preparing to teach. Its coverage of legal institutions was complete in five chapters. The basics of criminal and civil procedure were available, and eight additional chapters, each treating a legal subject area, were offered. Professor Burnham imaginatively arranged the material to facilitate coverage via a survey or in much greater depth responding to the background of the students or the amount of time available for the course. The book has now been used on several occasions. The students and I have found it to be a strong asset in learning about the American legal system. The book also serves as a marvelous inexpensive resource for foreign students to carry home with them.
Book Description
Hames and Ekern’s Introduction to Law , 2e will teach students the basic legal concepts related to substantive and procedural law, introduces them to cases, statutes, and the constitution, and develops their legal vocabulary and analytical skills. A new chapter on constitutional law, expanded coverage of employment and environmental law, and information on technology makes this an excellent resource for any Introduction to Law course for all disciplines of study including pre-law, legal studies, and business programs. Using this text, your students will learn how to develop their own critical-thinking skills, read high-interest cases, expand their legal vocabulary and discuss case law and issues impacting today’s legal system
Customer Reviews:
high school level textbook.......2004-12-18
I suppose nobody is going to buy this book unless they have to, so there is not much point to reviewing it. My girlfriend took the course. I looked at the book and was disappointed. Paralegal classes are generally at least junior college level. Except for the cases, statutes, etc., the book is on a high school civics textbook level, sort of patronizing, as if the author expected junior college students to be dumb. It's superficial, not particularly informative, and on some points, inaccurate. I'm not impressed.
A Former Student Speaks.......2000-02-11
I read this book for a class I took from Joanne Hames, one of the authors, at the paralegal program I attend. I found the book very well- organized and practical. The subject matter not only covers all the basics, but it also equips the paralegal to succeed in today's high-tech law office. Also, the "Ethical Choices" and "Paralegals on the Job" sections in each chapter make the book quite dynamic. The authors of this book are experienced attorneys who know the law and are abreast of everything relevant to the modern paralegal.
All introductory books should be like this........1999-02-09
Both informative (covering the "high points" or notable and interesting aspects of law) and well-written so you can read it straight through and get a lot out of it. The best starting point I have seen for beginning to learn about law.
Excellent Paralegal Primer, Reference, & Refresher Text!.......1998-10-13
I love Introduction to Law by Joanne Banker Hames and Yvonne Ekern! You may wonder why I feel so passionate about a textbook? When I took an Introduction to Law course four years ago, a text like this wasn't available. I desired a text that would provide a good foundation and overview for my paralegal education. Since a good text was not available at the time, the instructor chose to put together a series of handouts to supplement his lectures. You can imagine how excited I was to come across such an excellent text as this one, that provides an overview of the law, as well as a reference, a refresher, and resource for years to come.
The topics begin with the American Legal System and finish with the continually growing field of Law and Technology. Each chapter is organized to take the student on an interactive educational experience into the paralegal field. Chapter summaries are provided at the end of each section along with questions to review. Case law is incorporated into each chapter to deepen the student's understanding of the area of law discussed, as well as introduce the student to reading case law and applying it to the chapter topic. Case questions provide students the intellectual challenge to utilize abstract thinking skills necessary for a paralegal's success both in school and on the job.
The text provides the necessary foundation for a paralegal program to build their curriculum from. It will constantly be referred to throughout the student's other courses.
If you are just beginning your paralegal education; if you've just graduated and are looking for an excellent overview of the law; or if you are a teacher in search of the perfect text for your class; look no further.
I hope this is the first of many paralegal texts to come from Yvonne Ekern and Joanne Banker Hames!
Book Description
Law and Justice: An Introduction to the American Legal System, Sixth Edition offers a thorough examination of the system of justice used in the United States: civil and criminal, juvenile, and therapeutic. This new edition continues its critical review of the legal system and examines issues such as the conflict between the legal system’s need for predictability and the desire for flexibility; the pros and cons of therapeutic jurisprudence and restorative justice; the issues involved with medical malpractice and more!
Provides a comprehensive look at the justice system from various perspectives. Discusses many aspects of law and judicial process such as: the role of natural law, statutory law, legal reasoning, case law, legal education, the legal profession, the court systems, the appellate court process, the constitution, judges, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys etc.
Ideal for anyone interested in the American Legal System.
Customer Reviews:
Ecclesiastes 2:1.......2003-02-15
In addition to having read this book, I have had the priviledge of being one of Dr. Abadinski's students.
Abadinski is not a professor that reads directly from the book, in fact he seldom opens it. As he talks on, you can almost follow word for word what is written in the book.
The book gives an excellent overview of the Judicial system. It covers the history of law and courts, gives a great description of types of legal systems in America and Europe, and has a great chapter on law schools. Some of Abadinski's experiences in the New York and Illinois court systems are apparent including the selection of judges in New York and his own dealing with the ACLU when he tried to publish a paper about the NY probation/parole department that would have resulted in an unfair termination.
I think that this is an excellent book for any criminal justice student, or anyone interested in the justice system in general. I entered his class as someone interested in attending a local law school in hopes of becomming a public defender. Afterwords, however, I have learned how utterly useless the justice system is. The figures show how less than %3 of cases ever go to trial.
Dr. Abadinski holds his Ph.D. from New York university as well as an MSW from Fordham university. He is a former parole officer.
Book Description
In this classic text, translated into over a dozen languages, constitutional scholar and Columbia Law School professor E. Allan Farnsworth provides a clear explanation of the structure and function of the U.S. legal system in one handy reference. An Introduction to the Legal System of the
United States is designed to be a general introduction to the structure and function of the legal system of the United States, and is especially useful for those readers who lack familiarity with fundamental establishments and practices.
This text also gives the reader a clear understanding of how to research the law, the importance of case law versus statutes, and the difference between private and public law. It illustrates issues that may be confusing or troublesome and provides a solid general overview.
Book Description
This text covers basic legal concepts, court structure, criminal justice system, legal ethics, legal research, legislation, and major areas of substantive law such as torts, contracts, real property, and wills and probate. A comprehensive description of the complex American legal system, "Even the complete novice can grasp the basic ideas," says Legal Information Alert. The book includes highlighted terms-to-know and a 33-page glossary. It is an important study guide for NALA's CLA exam.
Books:
- Introduction to Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
- Investigating Computer-Related Crime
- Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac®)
- Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac®)
- Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac®)
- Keeping Faith: A Novel (P.S.)
- Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury: Greatest Closing Arguments in Modern Law
- Land Development Handbook (Handbook)
- Learning Autodesk Maya 8|Foundation +DVD
- Legal Analysis and Writing, 2E (The West Legal Studies Series)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters: 100 Great Drawings Analyzed, Figure Drawing Fundamentals Def
- Ace the IT Resume!
- The Eiffel Tower
- Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning
- Theories of Everything: Selected, Collected, and Health-Inspected Cartoons, 1978-2006
- American Medical Association Family Medical Guide, 4th Edition
- You and Your Puppy: Training and Health Care for Your Puppy's First Year
- Herman Over The Wall: The Seventh Treasury
- The Domus Aurea and the Roman Architectural Revolution
- The Glencannon Menagerie
Legal System
| Government
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Introduction to Law and the Legal System Study Guide
Criminal Justice in America
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Legal Issues (Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Legal Issues)
Legal Research And Writing for Paralegals
Black's Law Dictionary (Pocket), 2nd Edition
