Customer Reviews

Common Sense Rules Of Advocacy For Lawyers (Communication Series)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When this book was originally written, it bore the title "The Golden Rules of Advocacy," and the previous edition is still available under that name from Amazon.com. I discovered "Golden Rules" on a trip to England, where I found it on sale at the information desk of the Royal Courts of Justice in London. As a recently retired trial advocate of 32 years experience, I was interested in the English perspective on trial advocacy. I bought the book and read it straight through on the flight home from England and was greatly impressed by Evans' knowledge of the essentials of trial advocacy. When I discovered "Golden Rules" on Amazon.com, I wrote a glowing review.

Then I found "Common Sense Rules," and debated ordering it. I rightly suspected it was "Golden Rules" under another name. After some time, I gave in to the urge to purchase, and I have not regretted it. "Common Sense" is "Golden Rules" revised and expanded, and set forth in a much more user-friendly format.

I lament the change of title, however. The term "Golden Rules" conveys the high ethical standard set by the book far better than "Common Sense". You can have a head full of "Common Sense" and still be as crooked as a corkscrew. Despite my preference for the former title, I cannot fault the publisher for the change. Either term is equally applicable. Maybe the third edition could be entitled "The Golden Rules of Common Sense Advocacy".

Reading this book would profit any advocate of any experience level. Judicious application of the advice contained in the book will make anyone a better advocate.

Overhyped, poorly written. He should have spent more time on the book and less time trying to plug it by referencing it in reviews of other legal books.

talk about common sense. This book is a package of obvious items. Why buy a book of things you know already?

Very small book, bullet points only that would probably fit on a single page single spaced. Like the toy books by the cash register at Borders, only 40. Was pissed when I saw it. They don't take it back. To say the points are "common sense" is an understatement. Think it's well worth between five and seven dollars-40 not so much!

This book is a great introduction to and refresher course for the fundamentals of trial work. Like Strunk & White, it's a book you can refer to time and again to keep your mind on the basics.

The rules in this book are easy to read and understand, but are more challenging to actually implement. To change habits requires practice, and this volume, with its style and format, encourages that necessary practice, by making it convenient to return to for review, study, and gentle reminders.

A previous 'reviewer' from Silver Srping must not have read the same book I did. (Or maybe they didn't read the book?)

Keith Evans states very clearly in his book that his rules will *seem* like common sense *after* you read them. And they do.
But that is the brilliance of Common Sense Rules of Advocacy: the author makes learning these rules effortless, like you knew them all along. Even though you didn't.

The testimonials in the first review by the publisher and the other reviews on the book's web site are right on. This is a valuable and easy to read book that anyone who must persuade others will benefit from reading.

Well worth the price of admission.

The latest title in TheCapitol.Net "Communication Series", Common Sense Rules Of Advocacy For Lawyers by author and lawyer focuses upon the advocacy role lawyers have in advancing or defending their client's interests. After an informative introduction, specific chapters effectively and accessibly address the dimensions of advocacy; the mandatory rules of advocacy; advocacy as "theater"; the psychology of advocacy; the examination of witnesses; direct examination; cross-examination; re-direct examination; final argument; written advocacy; and advocacy in the age of high technology. Enhanced for the reader with a definitive conclusion, various appendices, and a comprehensive index, Common Sense Rules Of Advocacy For Lawyers is a welcome contribution to professional and law school libraries, and an invaluable candidate for use as a principle curriculum textbook, or at the very least, an important addition to a law student's supplemental reading list.

This book provides important, down-to-earth advice and guidance for both the novice and experienced advocate. Having adjudicated many, many cases, I wish every advocate would review these practical rules for effective advocacy. All advocates will benefit from this helpful book.

This is a superb how-to book for the trial lawyer. The author walks the reader through the essentials of effective trial advocacy, teaching every step of the way while at the same time never sounding the slightest bit like a lecturer. The scope of the book -- everything from what to wear in the courtroom to writing a trial brief -- is impressive, yet the author maintains a tone that is refreshingly readable. The author never loses sight of the underlying rules of evidence, procedure, and ethics, but his real genius is translating those rules into -- as the title says -- common sense rules of advocacy. I wish I had had this book when I was a young lawyer.