Dean's Bookshelf

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 @ 12:00 am

Lawyers in Practice

Posted by Jeremy Paul

Congratulations to Leslie Levin upon the publication of her new book (with Lynn Mather), Lawyers in Practice Ethical Decision Making in Context  (University of Chicago Press, 370 pp.).  The book is an edited collection of chapters from a diverse array of leading and emerging legal scholars and social scientists aimed at exploring how the contexts in which lawyers live and work shape the ethical dilemmas they often confront.  Using data she gathered during individual interviews, Leslie's own chapter Immigration and the Lying Client  investigates the many factors that shape diverse lawyer responses from clients who might claim a false marriage or distort their employment status as a way of beating the system.  Economic pressure, perceptions of the system, concerns over reputation, and habits learned watching other lawyers all play a role in determining how individual lawyers react when a client lies.  As is often the case with strong scholarship, the reader comes away understanding that these issues are more complicated than they first appear and eager to learn still more  Leslie also co-authored both the introductory chapter "Why Context Matters,"   which sets out the book's main themes, and an Epilogue that draws together the book's lessons.  It is hard to imagine a topic more central to our collective work than the way context influences the members of our profession as we seek to remain true to our best ethical selves.   Well done, Leslie!  JP

Friday, March 16, 2012 @ 2:45 pm

The Parent's Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum

Posted by Jeremy Paul

Books are written for many reasons, but far too few of us in the academy take time to focus directly on monographs that will help readers lead better lives.  Jane Thierfeld Brown's recent book (with Lorraine Wolf, Lisa King and G. Ruth Kukiela Bork), The Parent's Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum, AAPC Publishing (202 pp.) is a welcome exception.  In this easily readable guide, Jane and her co-authors get right to the heart of the matter, tackling precisely those nitty-gritty questions that parents are likely to have, or those they may not even know they should have, as they seek to navigate college with their children.    No wonder Temple Grandin proclaims on the book's cover

"the authors of the book present clear strategies for families and students with autism to use starting as early as in middle school and going up to college graduation and on to employment.  Hard work, the ability to work with others, and clear expectations will get young people where they want to be."

The book takes readers from the beginning of the application process through choosing a college, arriving on campus, mastering relevant laws, working with University personnel, understanding the University's organization, coping with academic and emotional issues, and dealing with issues that may arise as a result of living in campus housing and away from home.  As is so often the case, the concrete focus so helpful for Jane's target population turns out to have lessons that may be helpful to all parents, and the book would make a good template for similar works aimed at different audiences.

Congratulations Jane. You make us all proud.  JP