Reading Recommendations for Big Law Forum

[Chapter Eleven]

I wanted to start this thread to share resources that can help junior associates in Big Law gain a deeper understanding of their work and their clients. Over time, I’ve come across books, guides, and materials that have been invaluable for grasping corporate finance, contract drafting, deal structuring, and the broader business context of transactions.

This list is less about building technical skills and more about encouraging a shift away from the “Word monkey” mindset—helping lawyers see the bigger picture of why they’re doing what they’re doing. Many associates enter the field without a strong business perspective due to their backgrounds, but I hope these readings can help bridge that gap to develop a genuine interest in the field and foster a more business-oriented perspective.

Introductory:
- The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law, M. Hermann

Technical (Finance)
- Investment Banking, J. Rosenbaum
- Corporate Finance, by any of the following authors: (i) Berk & DeMarzo, (ii) Brealey, et al, or (iii) Ross, et al. (latest edition you can find).

Technical (Law)
- WLRK Guides (available at wlrk.com/guides)
- Latham & Watkins Book of Jargon Series (https://www.lw.com/en/insights-landing/ ... rminology.)
- The Art of M&A (Chapter 7), A.R. Lajoux
- Working with Contracts, Charles M. Fox
- Contract Drafting for Corporate Finance, Carolyn E.C. Paris

Finance History (filtered on business stories where lawyers were involved)
- Barbarians at the Gate, B. Burrough
- The Predator's Ball, C. Bruck
- Den of Thieves, J.B. Stewart
- Caesars Palace Coup, M. Frumes

Newsletters:
- Money Stuff, by M. Levine (ex-WLRK lawyer)
- Petition (restructuring focused)

Happy to provide additional sources—primarily academic, but also including some books—on debt finance, restructuring, and corporate topics if needed. While these are more finance-focused and may not cover law in as much detail, they can be extremely helpful for understanding the rationale behind many aspects of an agreement.

[Anonymous User]

I wanted to start this thread to share resources that can help junior associates in Big Law gain a deeper understanding of their work and their clients. Over time, I’ve come across books, guides, and materials that have been invaluable for grasping corporate finance, contract drafting, deal structuring, and the broader business context of transactions.

This list is less about building technical skills and more about encouraging a shift away from the “Word monkey” mindset—helping lawyers see the bigger picture of why they’re doing what they’re doing. Many associates enter the field without a strong business perspective due to their backgrounds, but I hope these readings can help bridge that gap to develop a genuine interest in the field and foster a more business-oriented perspective.

Introductory:
- The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law, M. Hermann

Technical (Finance)
- Investment Banking, J. Rosenbaum
- Corporate Finance, by any of the following authors: (i) Berk & DeMarzo, (ii) Brealey, et al, or (iii) Ross, et al. (latest edition you can find).

Technical (Law)
- WLRK Guides (available at wlrk.com/guides)
- Latham & Watkins Book of Jargon Series (https://www.lw.com/en/insights-landing/ ... rminology.)
- The Art of M&A (Chapter 7), A.R. Lajoux
- Working with Contracts, Charles M. Fox
- Contract Drafting for Corporate Finance, Carolyn E.C. Paris

Finance History (filtered on business stories where lawyers were involved)
- Barbarians at the Gate, B. Burrough
- The Predator's Ball, C. Bruck
- Den of Thieves, J.B. Stewart
- Caesars Palace Coup, M. Frumes

Newsletters:
- Money Stuff, by M. Levine (ex-WLRK lawyer)
- Petition (restructuring focused)

Happy to provide additional sources—primarily academic, but also including some books—on debt finance, restructuring, and corporate topics if needed. While these are more finance-focused and may not cover law in as much detail, they can be extremely helpful for understanding the rationale behind many aspects of an agreement.

Great list. Also, on the lore of large law firm industry, required reading is The Partners by James Stewart.

[Lifesonalex]

Isn't Money Stuff in podcast form?

Caesars Palace Coup
Be sure to have plenty of note pads as you read it
Not sure if the head-spinning effect of it is worth it
Basically rehashing the transactions of dirt bag a-holes

[Chapter Eleven]

@Lifesonalex, they recently added the podcast, but I recommend the newsletter. I find it explains things in more detail while maintaining engagement.

Re. Caesars, restructuring can be extremely confrontational and often brings out the worst in some, as you rightly pointed out. There are also significant egos within some of these funds, so it's important to view it as part of understanding the industry—specifically, the individuals behind the fund names. An enjoyable read nevertheless.

[Lifesonalex]

I agree with what you said


By Binkley
Winner Takes All recounts the real estate development history of the Las Vegas Strip between 1998 and 2007.[2] The book primarily covers three major corporate deals: Kirk Kerkorian's 2000 purchase of Steve Wynn's Mirage Resorts; MGM Mirage's 2004 buyout of Mandalay Resort Group; and Gary Loveman's Harrah's 2004 takeover of Caesars.

The above ties into Caesars Palace Coup

Trivia. Why is it Caesars and not Caesar's
Because the founder, Jay Sarno, said "Here, anyone can be a Caesar", so there are many Caesars, not one

[bana79]

It's not super lawyer-heavy, but I'll add the great Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis to the finance history list.

Thanks OP! Will have to look into some of these.

[Anonymous User]

I wanted to start this thread to share resources that can help junior associates in Big Law gain a deeper understanding of their work and their clients. Over time, I’ve come across books, guides, and materials that have been invaluable for grasping corporate finance, contract drafting, deal structuring, and the broader business context of transactions.

This list is less about building technical skills and more about encouraging a shift away from the “Word monkey” mindset—helping lawyers see the bigger picture of why they’re doing what they’re doing. Many associates enter the field without a strong business perspective due to their backgrounds, but I hope these readings can help bridge that gap to develop a genuine interest in the field and foster a more business-oriented perspective.

Introductory:
- The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law, M. Hermann

Technical (Finance)
- Investment Banking, J. Rosenbaum
- Corporate Finance, by any of the following authors: (i) Berk & DeMarzo, (ii) Brealey, et al, or (iii) Ross, et al. (latest edition you can find).

Technical (Law)
- WLRK Guides (available at wlrk.com/guides)
- Latham & Watkins Book of Jargon Series (https://www.lw.com/en/insights-landing/ ... rminology.)
- The Art of M&A (Chapter 7), A.R. Lajoux
- Working with Contracts, Charles M. Fox
- Contract Drafting for Corporate Finance, Carolyn E.C. Paris

Finance History (filtered on business stories where lawyers were involved)
- Barbarians at the Gate, B. Burrough
- The Predator's Ball, C. Bruck
- Den of Thieves, J.B. Stewart
- Caesars Palace Coup, M. Frumes

Newsletters:
- Money Stuff, by M. Levine (ex-WLRK lawyer)
- Petition (restructuring focused)

Happy to provide additional sources—primarily academic, but also including some books—on debt finance, restructuring, and corporate topics if needed. While these are more finance-focused and may not cover law in as much detail, they can be extremely helpful for understanding the rationale behind many aspects of an agreement.

Fabulous list. A few additions to consider:

1. On practice:
- James Freund has two books, "Lawyering: A Realistic Approach to Legal Practice" and "Advise and Invent: The Lawyer as Counselor-Strategist and Other Essays".

2. Finance / history - I've also enjoyed (and found relevant to practice) the following:
- Books by James B. Stewart. People have mentioned "The Partners". "Den of Thieves", "Unscripted" and "DisneyWar" are also interesting.
- Bill Cohan's books are also interesting, although not necessarily focused on law.
- To get a sense of how private equity works, "King of Capital" (Carey and Morris) is worth a read.
- Jeremiah Lambert's "The Anointed", Hoffman's "Lions in the Street" and John Oller's "White Shoe" all tread similar ground about law firms around the turn of the century. I learned more from Lambert and Hoffman than Oller.
- Studies of particular firms can be taken or left. For its salaciousness, I enjoyed Lisagor's and Lipsius's "A Law Unto Itself" (about S&C). I learned much more about practice and growth from Lincoln Caplan's book on Skadden. It could do with an update, though.

3. Skills: Rosenbaum's and Pearl's "Investment Banking" book has been a useful resource whenever I've had valuation-type issues to consider.

4. Other publications / podcasts:
- Puck (especially about Wall Street, but also Hollywood / DC)
- I enjoy the Sidley Podcast (even though it's litigation focused) and listen to David Lat sometimes, depending on his guest.

[Anonymous User]

Will second Hoffman’s “Lions of the Street” or “Lions of the 80s” for entertaining “non-fiction” reads about the industry that are accessible to law students. Those two are definitely out of print but Amazon may have some copies lying around.

Stewart’s “Partners” is a good review of big law practice areas told in a decent attempt at telling compelling stories about Cap Markets deals or big cases.

Cherovsky’s “The Guide to New York Law Firms” is out of date by 30 years but is entertaining and candid in a way Chambers is not (e.g. Weil is full of neurotic screamers) and will give you the lore of the industry. Also gives perspective on how the big law market has changed over the years, especially the rise of private equity and the Kirkland system that replaced the Cravath system.

“The Annointed” and “White Shoe” are both boring rehashes of old tales and are not worth the money unless you have insomnia.

“Barbarians at the Gate” is most useful for making the characters behind the deal come alive.

An old book, “Chicago Lawyers - The Social Status of the Bar” is useful for first gen in law school who want to know the lay of the land. You’ll be forewarned that profitability and prestige of clients are king so take a hard look at AMLAW 100 before applying to firms.

“The Bonfire of the Vanities” is good for understanding the pitfalls of public service as a lawyer too.

“Caesars Palace”, if you can make past a few pages, is a decent read on why you should avoid distressed debt and private credit.

“King of Capital” is a surprisingly decent read if you are in a PE field but it is not a critical examination by any means (could possibly be a vanity publication).

“Liar’s Poker” is the best business read.