Talk Your Way Out of Trouble: Life lessons from the law

by Jahan Kalantar

For fans of The Next Conversation comes an insider's view of the Australian legal system, packed with hilarious true stories and useful life lessons.

As a criminal defence lawyer, Jahan Kalantar has helped people in their most desperate hour, from hardened jailbirds to accidental offenders, disadvantaged delinquents to undeserving scapegoats.

But on his journey from clueless student to white-wigged barrister, Jahan has learned that it's not always the smartest person in the room who wins the day. There are other, more important like being able to ask for help, stick to your values, listen without judgement, know when to be sceptical, and apologise like you mean it.

In Talk Your Way Out of Trouble, Jahan shares his hard-earned insights through laugh-out-loud funny stories of his own triumphs and blunders, as well as those of his clients. Full of humour and heart, this is an insider's look at how the law really works - and why its lessons are vital for everyone, in and out of the courtroom.

Genres: Nonfiction

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[Emilija Vidakovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book reading and I felt it was even more impactful when the stories and lessons came from his narration.

Before beginning this book I wasn't really familiar nor interested in the law and felt that the work of lawyers was something I always respected but never understood. This book was amazing at explaining the system and the extraordinary work that they can do with the right mindset. Where the greatest aspect of this book to me was it changed my view to see the good in some criminal lawyer work.

From a non-law perspective, this book inspired me to be more empathetic especially around topics of mental health, more open to opportunities that may seem terrifying and to be more confident in communicating.

On a side note, I learnt that there are some not so nice people in every profession and it should never stop you from doing what you love, and also sometimes it's ok to say fuck you to people.

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jahan Kalantar is a successful criminal defence lawyer and advocate in Australia and in his memoir Talk Your Way Out of Trouble - Life Lessons from the Law I thought he was going to teach us how to talk our own way out of legal trouble should we ever find ourselves in it. I was hopeful he'd share the type of advice he's cultivated in his career and now regularly gives his clients. However, this isn't really that book.

Instead, this is Kalantar's memoir from his early days as a law student and law graduate, right through to the successful criminal lawyer he is today. This comprises time spent working as a solicitor in several different areas of the law and figuring out that wasn't his preferred career path for a variety of reasons. It also includes his time studying for the bar and qualifying as a barrister before deciding the wig - and everything that came with it - wasn't for him. Based in Sydney, Kalantar is also a university lecturer, social media commentator and public speaker so he's seen plenty of legal cases and helped more clients than he could probably count.

In this book, the author shares his career progression and a number of memorable cases that have shaped his view of life and the law along the way. Some cases and clients are touching or poignant and some are even funny but Kalantar doesn't shy away from sharing his mistakes along with his successes.

"Show up each day, do your best to adapt with grace, show resilience in the face of adversity and remember that mastery and perfection are a myth. Every day is simply us trying, it's why we call the work of a lawyer, practice." Afterword

I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author himself and it was interesting but wasn't the reading experience I anticipated. Instead, I assumed I was going to learn how to talk myself out of trouble. Naturally I accept full responsibility for jumping to the wrong conclusion about the contents, although I do wonder if the title misled any other readers in a similar way.

The author offers an effective method of saying sorry and it was a more succinct version of the method offered in Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies by Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy. It was also the subject of a TEDxSydney event entitled 'A perfect apology in three steps' which might be of interest to some readers.

After a generous and heartfelt series of Acknowledgements at the end of his book, I enjoyed this surprising addition:

"On the other side of the coin, I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the many people I've encountered during my years who were unnecessarily cruel, mean spirited, difficult and plainly unkind. On behalf of myself, and everyone else working to make the world a better place, fu*k you! I wrote this book anyway. I hope the lessons in it inspire you to live better, and seek to see the best in people before casting judgement." Acknowledgements

I'm sure many authors have had similar thoughts when publishing their work, but huge kudos to Kalantar for having the courage to include it for all to see. Loved it!

Talk Your Way Out of Trouble - Life Lessons from the Law by Jahan Kalantar is an excellent choice for anyone considering a career in law, law adjacent lines of work or advocacy.

[Mark Borg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading How to Talk Your Way Out of Trouble, and it was exactly what I needed. I’ve always been interested in law—at one point, I even considered becoming a lawyer—but I didn’t feel confident in my understanding of English or legal language. Now, more than 20 years into my professional career, I occasionally find myself giving expert evidence in court, and this book felt like a crash course in legal thinking.

It gave me a clear, insider look at courtroom dynamics, legal strategy, and the often unspoken elements of legal proceedings. Most importantly, it helped me understand how a lawyer thinks and how their persistence can create opportunities others might miss.

This book is essential reading for anyone encountering the legal system for the first time and feeling uncertain or anxious. Understanding the process can give you more confidence—and that alone can lead to better outcomes."

[Shezami · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have any taste in books, you will like this read :)

On the surface it may look like a how-to guide, but this wonderful piece of writing is a potpourri of life’s most important lessons and experiences, parcelled in an exceedingly relatable, humorous and heart-warming way.

You follow Jahan Kalantar, a man whose greatest ambition is to be of service and value to the world, and his experiences with people and the human condition during the course of his life in Law. Everything from the wacky and wonderful, to the downright bad and ugly ://

You will be guaranteed to laugh, cry (Bearbear chapter) and at times even read some painful and harsh truths.

You have only to gain by reading this book!

Sincerely,
Shezami Not Of Counsel

[K W · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really thought I'd enjoy this book, because my partner is a criminal lawyer and I expected it might offer some insights, wit or interesting tales. But it's so pedestrian and undergraduate that I found myself skimming chapters out of boredom. The chapters run as a very straight chronology of the author's journey through a career in banking, law school, court craft etc. I've ploughed through to about a third of the way in and haven't yet encountered any stories or arguments of interest — just versions of "this is what you go through, and I was a little cocky/clueless at first, but now I've learned this lesson." I've given up. The prose is explicatory rather than lively, and I felt the book is littered with false modesty and not much to say.

[James Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I’m always a bit critical of people who write books about themselves (especially while they’re still alive and they’re still young). Not everyone has a story important, interesting or special enough to tell.

However this was a fantastic collection of stories about what it’s like to practice criminal law in Australia. I devoured the thing in a couple days. High engaging read!

[Amir Entezami · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unfiltered view beyond the glamorous stereotypes of the legal profession, this book had me laughing, crying and everything in between. A beautiful testament to the ‘a-day-in-the-life-of’ genre, Kalantar does wonders to inspire his audience with his own infectious optimism.

[Angie Trewhella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. A deep, yet hilarious view of the incredible life of an advocate. Passionate, clever, self-effacing, funny, full of philosophical and hard-earned, practical wisdom - I cannot rate it highly enough. 10/10, loved it.

[Brittany Oakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a law student a few months from embarking on the journey into the profession - I found this book really insightful, light hearted, deep and entertaining all rolled into one. Highly recommend ⭐️

[Dylan Tran-Ngo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Went from 5 to 4 to 3.
Good description of the law school experience.
Started feeling like a Suits episode by the end.
Client has issue, client is distraught, case resolved.

[Paul Cott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome. Easy to read, interesting, funny, enlightening - just an all round great read. Highly recommend.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to learn about law, this is an entertaining entry. Kalantar has an idealistic demeanour which edges towards overearnest, but he has the charisma to carry it cleanly.

[kkerswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was excellent. It is filled with great anecdotes and I really enjoyed the structure. I would highly recommend it for anyone with an interest in the law.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of really enjoyable anecdotes, the summarising philosophical line of each chapter gets a bit repetitive when reading a lot of the book at once

[Zara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun peak into a career in Australian Criminal Law - life lessons weaved through Kalantar’s professional anecdotes that anyone can relate to and gain from.

As someone who has always been interested in the law this was an engaging set of stories exploring the journey to, and highlights and challenges of, being a high performing lawyer focused on human success. This book is very easy to reach for and leaves you with some much needed confidence in our legal practitioners.