The Lawyers: Class of '69
John M. Poswall
(Reviewer - Narayan Radhakrishnan)
2003 Jullundur Press
ISBN: 0972999248

Five former classmates at Berkeley Law School meet for their thirtieth reunion.

Sr. Reviewer Narayan Radhakrishnan writes:

The Lawyers: Class of '69 it goes without saying that the novel here reviewed is a legal novel; but it is not a legal thriller per se.

Celebrated attorney John Poswall, one of the regularly featured lawyers in Best Lawyers in America turns to fiction writing, in this debut novel -- The Lawyers: Class of '69 fabulously blending law, fiction & reality to provide a wonderful read.

From the very first page The Lawyers: Class of '69 caught my attention. It starts with a quotation, “What was it all for anyway, if I could not make a real difference?” From different cultures, different backgrounds, all five had high ambitions & ideals when they first met, but thirty years later they are asking themselves whether they have changed anything, or have they themselves change? What follows is a thought-provoking read that will titillate the mind of the perceptive reader.

Though a lot different in plot settings, the author's prose style reminded me of Scott Turow's The Laws of Our Fathers. The Lawyers: Class of '69 is not the regular cookie-cut thriller, & I believe it would be more interesting to the lawyer & law student rather than the ordinary reader.

As a lawyer, I found myself identifying with many a situation that the protagonists faced -- most pertinently the changing perceptions of law, life, & the lawyer's role in the society. The ideals one imagined as a student of law, the perception I had of a lawyer as a student -- well, frankly, it has lost a little bit of sheen. Success, money, fame, ideals, they still exist -- but the priorities are different. The novel enabled me to confront some questions, which I had until now, been afraid to ask myself.

Enjoyed The Lawyers: Class of '69, disturbingly enjoyed the work.

John M. Poswall was born in Southampton, England in 1943, & immigrated to the United States at age 10. Alongside his parents, he worked in the agricultural fields. He attended California State University, Sacramento, graduating with honors in 1966. There, he was Student Body President. Upon graduation he was named Outstanding Student in Government by the department faculty, received the Outstanding Leadership Award, and was named the Outstanding Graduate.

In 1969, John graduated with honors from UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall, School of Law. He was an editor of the California Law Review & published in a number of areas of law. Upon graduation he was named to the national Order of the Coif.
(11/02/03)

Narayan
2003©Narayan Radhakrishnan
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
I am a 26 years old lawyer practicing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Along with my legal practice, I have finished post-graduate studies for both Business Law & Human Rights. I am a self proclaimed numero-uno legal thriller lover & am the proud owner of all of Grisham's & Turow's novels. I enjoy John Mortimer's Rumpole & relish an occasional Martini & a rare Scot(ch)t-oline with a Patterson on the side.

My work A FICTION OF LAW is now about 500 pages in length & features 500 lawyer authors & 2000 legal thrillers covering a 300 year period - inclusive of entries from the USA, UK, Asia, Europe, China, Middle East etc. Still in search of a publisher.
www.keralatourism.org