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Look to Your Left: A True Story of Law School Survival in the Face of Impossibility, Murder, and an Appalachian Apocalypse
Jeremy Burnside's law school ordeal was much worse than most. In what could only be called an Appalachian Apocalypse, his college town of Grundy, Va. was afflicted with an explosion, which destroyed his apartment on the eve of final exams, and a flood. And three people, including the Dean, were murdered on campus. These horrendous incidents came on top of his failure to make grades in his first semester.
With an amazing burst of determination, creative study techniques, and self-discipline, Jeremy learned to “think like a lawyer,” and avoided almost certain expulsion. He became a first-rate law student, graduated, and was admitted to the bar in Ohio and Kentucky. Burnside is now an outstanding trial lawyer in Portsmouth, Ohio.
As Jeremy tells us in this engaging story, he was faced with an almost impossible situation. Burnside’s ability to go from academic probation to Dean’s list in one semester was near miraculous. His experience, as related here, is a true story dramatized by fictional characters and conversations. It is a classic young man’s coming-of-age tale set in an Appalachian “Paper Chase” environment.
Jeremy's ordeal is alternately hilarious and perplexing, but ultimately heart- warming and inspiring.
In my thirty years as a trial and appellate judge, I observed thousands of people engaged in the practice of law. A few are brilliant and some are lacking—but most are sincere in their efforts to effect the best possible outcome for their clients. They struggle valiantly, drawing upon the resources they acquired in the stressful environment of law school.
The law is a demanding mistress, but she promises a meaningful life of service to those who survive the rigors of law school and studying for the bar. The young men and women who pursue careers in the law deserve our gratitude and respect. In a world of declining standards, the law remains one of the last true professions, and lawyers are guardians of our individual rights and liberties. Yes, some lawyers try to pervert the law and serve sinister interests. But they are the exceptions. But lawyers like Jeremy Burnside exemplify the positive side of law— seeking justice for people, sometimes against long odds.
- Mark P. Painter (Website)
Judge, United Nations Appeals Tribunal 2009–2012
Judge, Ohio First District Court of Appeals 1995–2009
Judge, Hamilton County Municipal Court 1982–1995
With an amazing burst of determination, creative study techniques, and self-discipline, Jeremy learned to “think like a lawyer,” and avoided almost certain expulsion. He became a first-rate law student, graduated, and was admitted to the bar in Ohio and Kentucky. Burnside is now an outstanding trial lawyer in Portsmouth, Ohio.
As Jeremy tells us in this engaging story, he was faced with an almost impossible situation. Burnside’s ability to go from academic probation to Dean’s list in one semester was near miraculous. His experience, as related here, is a true story dramatized by fictional characters and conversations. It is a classic young man’s coming-of-age tale set in an Appalachian “Paper Chase” environment.
Jeremy's ordeal is alternately hilarious and perplexing, but ultimately heart- warming and inspiring.
In my thirty years as a trial and appellate judge, I observed thousands of people engaged in the practice of law. A few are brilliant and some are lacking—but most are sincere in their efforts to effect the best possible outcome for their clients. They struggle valiantly, drawing upon the resources they acquired in the stressful environment of law school.
The law is a demanding mistress, but she promises a meaningful life of service to those who survive the rigors of law school and studying for the bar. The young men and women who pursue careers in the law deserve our gratitude and respect. In a world of declining standards, the law remains one of the last true professions, and lawyers are guardians of our individual rights and liberties. Yes, some lawyers try to pervert the law and serve sinister interests. But they are the exceptions. But lawyers like Jeremy Burnside exemplify the positive side of law— seeking justice for people, sometimes against long odds.
- Mark P. Painter (Website)
Judge, United Nations Appeals Tribunal 2009–2012
Judge, Ohio First District Court of Appeals 1995–2009
Judge, Hamilton County Municipal Court 1982–1995
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2015
387 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy M. Burnside
2 books66 followersJeremy M. Burnside is a trial attorney in Portsmouth, Ohio. He represents the little guy against big insurance companies. He is an advocate against gun violence and tort reform, and has debated on television and at universities. He has been recognized by his peers as an Ohio Super Lawyer, a top 40 civil trial attorney under 40, and has been included in the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers list. Jeremy handles many serious personal injury, nursing home neglect, brain injury and wrongful death cases in Ohio and in Kentucky, where he is also licensed to practice.
Burnside grew up on the near-West Side of Cleveland, but completed his undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Charleston (WV) and the Appalachian School of Law, respectively. After practicing law in Cleveland for five years, Jeremy returned to Appalachia where he opened up his current practice and met his wife, real estate broker, Maddie Burnside. The Burnsides share office space in an old church that they repurposed.
Burnside grew up on the near-West Side of Cleveland, but completed his undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Charleston (WV) and the Appalachian School of Law, respectively. After practicing law in Cleveland for five years, Jeremy returned to Appalachia where he opened up his current practice and met his wife, real estate broker, Maddie Burnside. The Burnsides share office space in an old church that they repurposed.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 23, 2017
The first part of the book was much better than I was expecting. The story of his first semester in law school and how he almost flunks out was really interesting. There is a bit more introspection than I would like, but still really engaging.
Page 102. Is this book turning into a rant for gun control? I hope not. I just wanted to read a story about law school. OK, after one preachy chapter, it gets better. I can read again.
A lot of tragedies occur in this small town. After a flood destroys many houses and displaces lots of people, I am particularly disgusted by Jeremy's attitude. The temper tantrum he throws because his final exam was postponed for a day is horrible. It does not show him in a good light.
When the story focuses on law school, it is good. When it gets into introspection it starts to lose me.
I received a free copy through goodreads giveaways.
Page 102. Is this book turning into a rant for gun control? I hope not. I just wanted to read a story about law school. OK, after one preachy chapter, it gets better. I can read again.
A lot of tragedies occur in this small town. After a flood destroys many houses and displaces lots of people, I am particularly disgusted by Jeremy's attitude. The temper tantrum he throws because his final exam was postponed for a day is horrible. It does not show him in a good light.
When the story focuses on law school, it is good. When it gets into introspection it starts to lose me.
I received a free copy through goodreads giveaways.
October 3, 2017
To quote Bluggton Wayne Carr "Well, I reckon you must be the unluckiest feller I ever done met."
Mr. Burnside tells the story of his first year of law school and all of the tragic events that took place from his perspective. It really seemed the world was working against him in his attempt to accomplish the impossible after a really terrible first semester. My husband is currently in law school, 3L, which is one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book. I know that law school is hard, and to add everything the author had to go through during his 1L year I am not sure how he made it. I briefly remember the shooting at ASL but I had completely forgotten about it. While reading this book I was also googling old news stories. I am not going to lie, reading Mr. Burnside's play by play of what happened that day from his perspective was hard. It made me emotional and I wasn't even affected by this tragedy. To put faces and personal stories to names really does something to the psych. If that would have been the only tragedy that he would have suffered through during law school it would have been enough to wonder how he held it together. With the other things piled on top of it, it's a wonder he didn't break. You have to admire his will to persevere through it all.
I really enjoyed this book and I think anyone considering law school, in law school, having completed law school should read it. I also believe people that live local/semi local to setting of this book would like it.
Oh and make sure you read the epilogue!
I entered to win this book from the giveaways on goodreads for two reasons. One- my husband is currently in law school (only 7 more months to go!) I want him to read this but it may have to wait until after graduation. Two- I grew up and lived only two hours away from ASL.
Mr. Burnside tells the story of his first year of law school and all of the tragic events that took place from his perspective. It really seemed the world was working against him in his attempt to accomplish the impossible after a really terrible first semester. My husband is currently in law school, 3L, which is one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book. I know that law school is hard, and to add everything the author had to go through during his 1L year I am not sure how he made it. I briefly remember the shooting at ASL but I had completely forgotten about it. While reading this book I was also googling old news stories. I am not going to lie, reading Mr. Burnside's play by play of what happened that day from his perspective was hard. It made me emotional and I wasn't even affected by this tragedy. To put faces and personal stories to names really does something to the psych. If that would have been the only tragedy that he would have suffered through during law school it would have been enough to wonder how he held it together. With the other things piled on top of it, it's a wonder he didn't break. You have to admire his will to persevere through it all.
I really enjoyed this book and I think anyone considering law school, in law school, having completed law school should read it. I also believe people that live local/semi local to setting of this book would like it.
Oh and make sure you read the epilogue!
I entered to win this book from the giveaways on goodreads for two reasons. One- my husband is currently in law school (only 7 more months to go!) I want him to read this but it may have to wait until after graduation. Two- I grew up and lived only two hours away from ASL.
June 8, 2015
An amazing story of determination, survival, and perseverance. Having been through law school myself, I related to so many of the more law-school specific stories, events, etc. I could identify friends, and even myself, in Jeremy's fellow classmates. However, even though I related to the law school aspect of the story, the over-reaching lesson went well beyond of student's struggle in his classes. It touched on our own ability to steer our course in life but, more importantly, the necessity of relying on the help of others, whether those "others" be friends, family, teachers, community, or our faith.
March 4, 2016
"Look to Your Left" by Jeremy Burnside, is a memoir of his struggles in his first year of Law School. So many difficult and tragic events happened in his life that year. I could feel his fears, anxieties, frustrations, and other emotions in the way he wrote.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
October 24, 2015
Perhaps the most inspiring book I've read.
June 19, 2017
Jeremy Burnside, in the lamentable tradition of self aggrandizing vanity projects, has contributed his memoir to the reading public. While his subject matter is often interesting, and his writing is acceptable in a bar room buddy sort of way, his self absorption and immaturity soon become tiresome. Although this book aspires to be inspirational, it is very difficult to appreciate the author’s ultimate success due to several factors.
Firstly, the author is extremely self centered, rendering him unlikable and therefore difficult to root for. Secondly, many of the problems he overcomes were the direct result of his own character flaws, which does not encourage the reader to sympathize with him. Thirdly, the problems he encountered that were not of his own making, but were actually tragedies that affected his entire community, are viewed in an astonishingly immature fashion by Burnside, who seems to completely lack the gift of empathy. To the author's credit, he never shrinks from illuminating his many personal shortcomings, but he seldom acknowledges that they are indeed shortcomings rather than harmless idiosyncrasies. Towards the end of the book, after enduring a preposterous number of academic and personal obstacles, he seems to become somewhat more self aware, but it rings “happy ending” hollow.
Ultimately, against all odds, Jeremy Burnside prevailed over his personal demons as well as several communal catastrophes, and is now licensed to practice law. God speed to him, and his clients.
Firstly, the author is extremely self centered, rendering him unlikable and therefore difficult to root for. Secondly, many of the problems he overcomes were the direct result of his own character flaws, which does not encourage the reader to sympathize with him. Thirdly, the problems he encountered that were not of his own making, but were actually tragedies that affected his entire community, are viewed in an astonishingly immature fashion by Burnside, who seems to completely lack the gift of empathy. To the author's credit, he never shrinks from illuminating his many personal shortcomings, but he seldom acknowledges that they are indeed shortcomings rather than harmless idiosyncrasies. Towards the end of the book, after enduring a preposterous number of academic and personal obstacles, he seems to become somewhat more self aware, but it rings “happy ending” hollow.
Ultimately, against all odds, Jeremy Burnside prevailed over his personal demons as well as several communal catastrophes, and is now licensed to practice law. God speed to him, and his clients.
March 22, 2017
It's great to read about someone with genuine gumption & determination. Jeremy Burnside could easily have made excuses & given up yet chose to take on the challenge & succeeded. Truly inspiring.
I received this from a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks!
I received this from a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks!
February 24, 2017
Loved this take set in academia.
June 5, 2015
Having grown up in Appalachia and experienced law school, I was very curious about this book. Years ago, I read similar books like One L and The House of God. Both were entertaining, but neither left a permanent impact. This book is different. Look to Your Left is more than a professional school survival guide or personal narrative. It goes beyond issues just facing law students – beyond whining about the difficult task of having to study for and take final exams. It takes a kid who grew up on the streets of Cleveland and shows what happens when you throw him right in the middle of many of the problems facing Appalachia, and in most cases, small town America. It details how a school shooting, fly rock blasting disaster and flood all occurred in a single town, all in a single semester. I can’t remember ever reading a book so raw and brutally honest about guilt, fear, depression, isolation, desperation, and sanity. It takes you directly into the mind, heart and soul of a 23 year old struggling to understand life and learning to live with being one of many victims to such a senseless act of violence. It looks at the gun debate issue from someone who experienced tragedy firsthand – someone who was there. Most of all, the book is about hope. It took a tremendous amount of courage to write a book like this. Once you read the first chapter, you won’t be able to put it down. This is a book you will never forget.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews