In the Interest of Justice
Joel J. Seidemann
(Reviewer - Narayan Radhakrishnan)
2004 Regan Books
ISBN: 006050966X

The best & greatest of legal arguments by famed attorneys in headliner cases.

Sr. Associate Reviewer Narayan Radhakrishnan writes:

An extraordinary collection of opening & closing arguments by famed attorneys from a wide range of cases including the trials of O.J. Simpson, Scopes Monkey & Karen Silkwood Murder.

“Whoever has a better lawyer will win the case.”

Though told in jest, the above statement to an extent holds good. How did O.J. Simpson get acquitted in the criminal case? Why do criminals we believe to be guilty go scot-free? & how far will the arguments of a seasoned attorney influence judge or jury?

In the Interest of Justice is a must read for any young lawyer. It would also be of interest to readers who enjoy Court TV or those who follow headline-hitting courtroom trials. The collection of opening & closing legal arguments by famed attorneys including Gerry Spence, Johnnie Cochran & F. Lee Bailey makes inspirational reading.

Joel J. Seidemann has taken care to include a brief synopsis of the case in question before proceeding on to the arguments, such that the reader knows what the lawyers are talking about. In particular the O.J. Simpson case makes interesting reading. OJ was acquitted in the criminal case but found liable in the civil one -- how did this happen? & more importantly what role did the advocacy skills (here attorney Johnnie Cochran) play in getting an acquittal?

As Joel J. Seidemann says in the Introduction, there is no greater venue for real life drama than the courtroom, & it is no wonder why many of the famed trial attorneys featured in the book have turned to writing including Gerry Spence (Half-Moon And Empty Stars), F. Lee Bailey (Secrets), Christopher Darden (The Trials Of Nikki Hill) putting into skillful use their power of persuasion & imagination to fiction.

In the Interest of Justice sure is interesting -- but not all-comprehensive. I would also recommend Courtroom Dramas: 120 Of The Worlds Notable Trials, a three-volume book edited by Elizabeth Frost-Knappman elucidating, in detail, some of the world's greatest trials from Socrates & Sir Thomas More to t O.J. Simpson -- plus Michael S. Lief’s (et al) Ladies And Gentlemen Of The Jury: Greatest Closing Arguments In Modern Law.

Again the author could have included any of the closing arguments of Clarence Darrow (though the Scopes Monkey Trial is included), Earl Rogers & Vincent Bugliosi. Their presence sure would have enriched the content of the work. But all in all a grand collection -- a must read for the young lawyer & connoisseur of courtroom dramas.
(03/13/05)

Narayan
2005©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