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Big Law: A Novel
"Big Law has it all. A locomotive drive, a fantastic, appealing, big-hearted narrative voice, and an inside and very entertaining look at the intersection of big law and big business. Smart and truly unputdownable."
--John Lescroart
As a young partner at Dunn & Sullivan, one of New York's most prestigious law firms, Carney Blake has represented dozens of high-profile clients. But being a pawn of Big Law often means defending the corporate dirt bags of the world--the spillers, the drillers, and the killers. Morality aside, Carney is starting to make a name for himself, despite having a father who resents his success and an unpredictable big brother bent on self-destruction.
So when Carney is suddenly asked by his firm's chairman to represent the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit--and not, as usual, the corporate bad guys--he warily accepts. Maybe they're turning a corner, he thinks. And even if they aren't, when else has a junior partner been assigned such a major case, with a possible billion dollar payout?
But Carney can't fool himself for very long. As he digs deeper into the case, he uncovers corruption and maliciously orchestrated schemes that go straight to the top of Dunn & Sullivan--along with the true motives behind his placement on the case. Written by former top litigator Ron Liebman, Big Law is a thrilling, fast-paced roman � clef that exposes the secrecy, deception, and machinations underlining America's most powerful mega-firms.
--John Lescroart
As a young partner at Dunn & Sullivan, one of New York's most prestigious law firms, Carney Blake has represented dozens of high-profile clients. But being a pawn of Big Law often means defending the corporate dirt bags of the world--the spillers, the drillers, and the killers. Morality aside, Carney is starting to make a name for himself, despite having a father who resents his success and an unpredictable big brother bent on self-destruction.
So when Carney is suddenly asked by his firm's chairman to represent the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit--and not, as usual, the corporate bad guys--he warily accepts. Maybe they're turning a corner, he thinks. And even if they aren't, when else has a junior partner been assigned such a major case, with a possible billion dollar payout?
But Carney can't fool himself for very long. As he digs deeper into the case, he uncovers corruption and maliciously orchestrated schemes that go straight to the top of Dunn & Sullivan--along with the true motives behind his placement on the case. Written by former top litigator Ron Liebman, Big Law is a thrilling, fast-paced roman � clef that exposes the secrecy, deception, and machinations underlining America's most powerful mega-firms.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2017
34 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 17, 2016
My starting point in reviewing Big Law has to be to confess that I have a soft spot for legal mysteries/thrillers. It's a genre my father and I enjoyed together for many years before he died a few years ago. Now, I don't read very many, but I still tend to get engrossed and really enjoy them. Big Law is no exception. The author was a lawyer for many years, and has crafted a fine page turner. Carney Blake is a young partner with a big New York law firm. He is assigned to lead a class action involving an explosion in a factory in India. The case is fraught, the law firm's politics are fraught, and from the beginning we know Blake is in big trouble. Liebman does a good job of creating a multi layered story -- the layers include Blake's family, the complex machinations in the case, and the not so benign world of the big law firm where Blake works. He also tells the story from an interesting point of view, as though in a direct in conversation with the reader after everything has happened, so he has the benefit of hindsight as he tells the story. Plausibility is a bit of an issue, but I didn't care one bit as I galloped my way through this entertaining read. I know my father would have loved it too. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
February 20, 2017
This is a new author for me. The main character and first person narrator of the story is attorney Carney Blake. Blake comes from a working class dysfunctional family of Irish alcoholics.
His boss at the large law firm is Carl Smith. He assigns him a class action law suit from India. He is to be the lead attorney for the first time in his career. Blake is to start proceedings to seize the U.S. asset of a chemical company responsible for the death of workers and a village in India due to a spill of toxic chemicals. The Indian court has found the company libel. It turns out the chemical company hires the major competitor of Blake’s law firm to defend it. Blake starts to become suspicious something is wrong when his boss avoids him. He feels he is in over his head at work, and his brother and father are in chaos.
The book is well written. The plot is twisting and turning as the suspense builds. The dialogue is strong and well-pointed, particularly in the courtroom sparing. This is one of those books that is hard to put down. If you enjoy legal thrillers, you will enjoy this book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is about seven hours long. L. J. Ganser does an excellent job narrating the story. Ganser is an award-winning audiobook narrator.
His boss at the large law firm is Carl Smith. He assigns him a class action law suit from India. He is to be the lead attorney for the first time in his career. Blake is to start proceedings to seize the U.S. asset of a chemical company responsible for the death of workers and a village in India due to a spill of toxic chemicals. The Indian court has found the company libel. It turns out the chemical company hires the major competitor of Blake’s law firm to defend it. Blake starts to become suspicious something is wrong when his boss avoids him. He feels he is in over his head at work, and his brother and father are in chaos.
The book is well written. The plot is twisting and turning as the suspense builds. The dialogue is strong and well-pointed, particularly in the courtroom sparing. This is one of those books that is hard to put down. If you enjoy legal thrillers, you will enjoy this book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is about seven hours long. L. J. Ganser does an excellent job narrating the story. Ganser is an award-winning audiobook narrator.
December 30, 2023
Five stars for pure speed and enjoyment of reading. The story was a bit predictable, but it didn’t bother me at all. I was looking for entertaining and page turning…not life altering literary fiction.
More interestingly, this may be the only book I’ve ever read in what I’d call first person omniscient narration. It was definitely distinctive and unique in its story telling that way. I thought it’d be annoying. I don’t generally love first person narrators. This one worked!
More interestingly, this may be the only book I’ve ever read in what I’d call first person omniscient narration. It was definitely distinctive and unique in its story telling that way. I thought it’d be annoying. I don’t generally love first person narrators. This one worked!
November 21, 2016
I love this book! The best law thriller I've read in years. Looks like the author found the formula of how to write a great book because he's hit all the right spots.
Synopsis: Law firm 1 tries to take down law firm 2 and our protagonist is caught in the middle.
Characters: The characters make the book and the #1 reason I like this book is because of the larger than life characters. True that all of them are cliches (evil bosses, super smart sidekicks, lovely girlfriends, damaged family, criminals with heart of gold, etc) but he makes them come to life.
Plot: Law thrillers can get convoluted if the author bogs you down in law speak but the law action here is pretty straightforward. The plot is fairly tight and linear with a couple of small subplots that support the main one. It's easy to follow and understand without boring or meandering parts.
Writing style: Timeline jumps back and forth a little. Starts at present day, goes back 2 years and back again. It's first person narrative breaking the 4th wall so the protagonist (Blake) talks to you as well. Usually, I don't like fancy writing styles where authors jump back and forth but the prose is easy to read and follow.
This is a short book at 256 pages and I finished it within 12 hours. At the worst, you could say this book is a little too syrupy sweet or cliched as bad guys get their comeuppance, good guys get together but this is exactly the type of book I want to finish off on a Monday morning and start my week. It looks like it's the beginning of a series and I'll definitely read the next ones. I got this book free as a review copy.
Synopsis: Law firm 1 tries to take down law firm 2 and our protagonist is caught in the middle.
Characters: The characters make the book and the #1 reason I like this book is because of the larger than life characters. True that all of them are cliches (evil bosses, super smart sidekicks, lovely girlfriends, damaged family, criminals with heart of gold, etc) but he makes them come to life.
Plot: Law thrillers can get convoluted if the author bogs you down in law speak but the law action here is pretty straightforward. The plot is fairly tight and linear with a couple of small subplots that support the main one. It's easy to follow and understand without boring or meandering parts.
Writing style: Timeline jumps back and forth a little. Starts at present day, goes back 2 years and back again. It's first person narrative breaking the 4th wall so the protagonist (Blake) talks to you as well. Usually, I don't like fancy writing styles where authors jump back and forth but the prose is easy to read and follow.
This is a short book at 256 pages and I finished it within 12 hours. At the worst, you could say this book is a little too syrupy sweet or cliched as bad guys get their comeuppance, good guys get together but this is exactly the type of book I want to finish off on a Monday morning and start my week. It looks like it's the beginning of a series and I'll definitely read the next ones. I got this book free as a review copy.
February 2, 2023
I would find this story and the characters to be more interesting and engaging if I read this book after it was right published. But now, these plots, which are supposed to surprise me, become kind of cliche after me watching many TV shows like Boston Legal and The Good Wife. It is such a short and small story with so many typical characters. A hardworking lawyer rising from a poor immigrant family with a drunk father and a PTSD veteran brother, the senior partner with a gay dalliance who cares nothing more than cashing out on his firm's IPO, another senior lawyer seeking revenge by acquiring the Big Law firm that kicked him out. It reads like a mix of everything.
But I must admit the flow of the narrative is very smooth. It tempts you to read the whole story without stopping even though you have already anticipated what happened next.
BTW, I really like Jeremy Lichtman. What a smart guy. lol
But I must admit the flow of the narrative is very smooth. It tempts you to read the whole story without stopping even though you have already anticipated what happened next.
BTW, I really like Jeremy Lichtman. What a smart guy. lol
August 2, 2022
Ugh. Only started it so far. Giving it a little longer. Author has law cred at least. But so far it’s all about some improbable plan of two rivals who start at the same firm, one stays and creates a massive firm all in one lifetime. The other gets the boot. And blames the first. Then it goes into a class action tragedy, obviously modeled on the awful Bhopal Indian chemical disaster that blinded, killed, and scared so many. Don’t think this is how the case went—as some pawn in one lawyer’s life goal to ruin another lawyer and his firm. I mean, who gives a shit? All I want is a good legal book by a knowledgeable lawyer. Don’t think this one’s gonna last.
Reached halfway point. Lawyer not making good sense. Making bad and then v/bad personal choices. Story unbelievable, and not in a good way. Many of original critiques above stand. Bailing
Reached halfway point. Lawyer not making good sense. Making bad and then v/bad personal choices. Story unbelievable, and not in a good way. Many of original critiques above stand. Bailing
October 19, 2021
An interesting novel if you like to read about lawyers in New York.
Liked
- captivating story, appreciate the inside look into being a lawyer especially in New York
- so relatable at parts to a lot of careers like ibanking and consulting
- enjoyed the ending to the extent that the main character ended up getting revenge
Didn't Like
- at times seemed super unrealistic
- didn't like the ending where she just up and quit
- things wrapped up a little TOO easily after the SEC investigation
Overall, an interesting look, I was very into reading about law at this point so it's a good book for that.
Liked
- captivating story, appreciate the inside look into being a lawyer especially in New York
- so relatable at parts to a lot of careers like ibanking and consulting
- enjoyed the ending to the extent that the main character ended up getting revenge
Didn't Like
- at times seemed super unrealistic
- didn't like the ending where she just up and quit
- things wrapped up a little TOO easily after the SEC investigation
Overall, an interesting look, I was very into reading about law at this point so it's a good book for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2017
Take a young lawyer at a big New York firm who is being set up by a senior partner to take the fall on a huge case, and add deception, corruption and evil plots and you have a fast paced read. The author is close to his subject as he too was a top flight lawyer. This is a fun book. My thanks to the author and the Penguin First to Read program for a complimentary copy.
August 7, 2024
First to Read ebook from Penguin in exchange for honest review.
This book was a little hard to read. I liked the overall plot but it was told almost like an older relative reliving a war story.
This book was a little hard to read. I liked the overall plot but it was told almost like an older relative reliving a war story.
June 9, 2017
Rather cynical look at Big Law. Gritty, good read.
June 30, 2017
This is somewhere between a three and a four-star book IMHO. Four stars for the very topical and complex subject: a deadly explosion in a factory in India, leading to a class-action suit against the parent company in the US. But that's just the beginning. Turns out that hedge funds actually bet, in effect, on the outcome of these suits. The whole thing is mind boggling and appalling, so I give the author FOUR stars for that. Character development and perfunctory sex scandals were the downside, but it's a good read on the whole.
September 17, 2017
Not your typical lawyer story. One of the fastest reads I've had in a long time, I just kept turning the pages -- ie, tapping my kindle.
October 8, 2017
Very interesting book. Interesting characters and plots. Kept me turning the pages to learn how it all turns out. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
April 14, 2019
Not good.
May 5, 2019
Very good book. Definitely a page turner. Quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2019
Brilliantly written and a definite page-turner. Think John Grisham, but lighter. Great read!
December 19, 2019
Had a lot of fun reading this book. Gained knowledge on the life of a "big law" lawyer.
March 20, 2022
Enjoyable plot and an easy weekend read
April 21, 2022
AMAZING! I really enjoyed this book. It was an amazing read and i never felt bored at any give point in this book. the best legal thriller I read this year.
December 21, 2022
So much fun
Liebman tells a terrific tale of the under belly of big law firms. So much detail. So much panache so much fun.
Liebman tells a terrific tale of the under belly of big law firms. So much detail. So much panache so much fun.
March 27, 2023
The plot twists in this book had me in a chokehold
January 29, 2024
A fun corporate thriller. If you thought you hated lawyers now…
March 17, 2024
Good, fast read. Thorough and simplified, without being condescending, with law procedures and terminology. Enjoyed all of the characters
May 8, 2025
A decent quick read for any legal-thriller lover, such as myself.
January 8, 2026
This was okay! Fun to read and fairly entertaining. Carney was an easy character to root for, and I liked the ending.
March 28, 2017
Un libro entretenido, en la onda de los thrillers de abogados, con su toque de humor, rivalidades de abogados y el sistema de justicia norteamericano.
Muy bueno para pasar el rato, sin mayores pretensiones.
Muy bueno para pasar el rato, sin mayores pretensiones.
January 11, 2017
****THIS BOOK WAS A GOODREADS GIVEAWAY AND I AGREED TO READ IT AND GIVE AN HONEST REVIEW IN EXCHANGE FOR THE BOOK *****
Don't start this book until you have enough time ahead to finish it.
There is something about Mr. Liebman's writing that draws you in and makes you care about Carney, like him and root for him. It's almost like the author is having a conversation with the reader. I don't know how else to explain it - not many writers are able to find that particular groove.
I especially liked how these intricate legal specifics that most of us are not familiar with are explained as though you are just hanging out and your lawyer friend "dumbs down" what they do without making you feel dumb for not knowing.
The author's previous books are going on my must-read list and I can't wait to read more from him. Thank you so much for the copy and the opportunity to have such an enjoyable read.
Don't start this book until you have enough time ahead to finish it.
There is something about Mr. Liebman's writing that draws you in and makes you care about Carney, like him and root for him. It's almost like the author is having a conversation with the reader. I don't know how else to explain it - not many writers are able to find that particular groove.
I especially liked how these intricate legal specifics that most of us are not familiar with are explained as though you are just hanging out and your lawyer friend "dumbs down" what they do without making you feel dumb for not knowing.
The author's previous books are going on my must-read list and I can't wait to read more from him. Thank you so much for the copy and the opportunity to have such an enjoyable read.
February 6, 2017
check out this review on my blog, puppy included: http://www.shelfstalker.net/blog/big-...
I realized lately that all I really know about law and courtrooms and lawyering is what I’ve seen, heard, and read about through criminal trials (both real and imagined). True crime and crime fiction is generally my scene, but when given a chance to expand my knowledge, I’m game.
Big Law is about a different side of the justice world. One where lawyers from big name firms make boatloads of money working all the time on cases representing big syndicates and companies who are probably in the wrong and have done horrible things, like spill oil all over the habitat of a bunch of poor birds or force people to work in an unhealthy environment that led to early lung cancer related deaths.
Somehow, those corporations seem to skive off without much damage and it’s always Big Law lawyers who are seen skulking away.
Welcome to the world of totally unfair bullsh!t. Oh, wait, I think you’ll recognize it since we are all currently living there for the next four years.
Anyway, back to the story. Big Law follows an up-and-coming newly minted partner, Carney Blake, who is pretty fresh from law school and still rosy-eyed and a bit idealistic about the whole law game.
When he’s given a case fighting against the corporation, for the plaintiff, the people who have been wronged, it seems a bit fishy, but he figures his company is just turning over a new leaf.
Wrong-o.
The story is told from a point in the future, so the reader gets bits of Carney’s more hardened, mature narration throughout and we can’t help but wonder, where is he telling this story from? The top of his own executive office in a crisp Armani suit? Or a jail cell in a nice orange D.O.C. jumpsuit?
Because things don’t seem to be going so well for Carney. Not in his personal life, where his father is an alcoholic mess and his brother is a drug addict, and not at his job, where every decision he makes for this case seems to send it spiraling out of control—and right into the hands of the firm’s biggest enemy.
This is an extremely fast-paced novel that spins out the world of corporate law in a way that is not only intelligible, but exciting and effortless. It drew me in and I didn’t feel like it stopping to explain every step of the process to me—instead the book treated me like an equal while still giving me all the information I needed. The mark of an experienced and great writer.
I think it definitely helps that this book is written by someone very much in the know: Ron Liebman is a former top litigator himself.
Interestingly, this book has some very clear lines demarcating good and bad, with only one surprise character (who I had a sneaking suspicion about anyway). People who the narrator thinks are bad (and are therefore cast in a bad light throughout) invariably turn out bad, through and through.
No real grey area in law, I guess.
Though the book definitely wraps up with a nicely tight bow, a bit neat for my taste, the story is definitely satisfying and gave me a buzz to read. It puts you right in the action of making the decisions with Carney and floods your brain with just a small bit of the constant wave information that lawyers’ brains must deal with.
Can’t say I’m envious of that life, but it’s nice to take a peek inside for one heck of a wild ride.
*I received this copy from Blue Rider Press. Thank you!*
I realized lately that all I really know about law and courtrooms and lawyering is what I’ve seen, heard, and read about through criminal trials (both real and imagined). True crime and crime fiction is generally my scene, but when given a chance to expand my knowledge, I’m game.
Big Law is about a different side of the justice world. One where lawyers from big name firms make boatloads of money working all the time on cases representing big syndicates and companies who are probably in the wrong and have done horrible things, like spill oil all over the habitat of a bunch of poor birds or force people to work in an unhealthy environment that led to early lung cancer related deaths.
Somehow, those corporations seem to skive off without much damage and it’s always Big Law lawyers who are seen skulking away.
Welcome to the world of totally unfair bullsh!t. Oh, wait, I think you’ll recognize it since we are all currently living there for the next four years.
Anyway, back to the story. Big Law follows an up-and-coming newly minted partner, Carney Blake, who is pretty fresh from law school and still rosy-eyed and a bit idealistic about the whole law game.
When he’s given a case fighting against the corporation, for the plaintiff, the people who have been wronged, it seems a bit fishy, but he figures his company is just turning over a new leaf.
Wrong-o.
The story is told from a point in the future, so the reader gets bits of Carney’s more hardened, mature narration throughout and we can’t help but wonder, where is he telling this story from? The top of his own executive office in a crisp Armani suit? Or a jail cell in a nice orange D.O.C. jumpsuit?
Because things don’t seem to be going so well for Carney. Not in his personal life, where his father is an alcoholic mess and his brother is a drug addict, and not at his job, where every decision he makes for this case seems to send it spiraling out of control—and right into the hands of the firm’s biggest enemy.
This is an extremely fast-paced novel that spins out the world of corporate law in a way that is not only intelligible, but exciting and effortless. It drew me in and I didn’t feel like it stopping to explain every step of the process to me—instead the book treated me like an equal while still giving me all the information I needed. The mark of an experienced and great writer.
I think it definitely helps that this book is written by someone very much in the know: Ron Liebman is a former top litigator himself.
Interestingly, this book has some very clear lines demarcating good and bad, with only one surprise character (who I had a sneaking suspicion about anyway). People who the narrator thinks are bad (and are therefore cast in a bad light throughout) invariably turn out bad, through and through.
No real grey area in law, I guess.
Though the book definitely wraps up with a nicely tight bow, a bit neat for my taste, the story is definitely satisfying and gave me a buzz to read. It puts you right in the action of making the decisions with Carney and floods your brain with just a small bit of the constant wave information that lawyers’ brains must deal with.
Can’t say I’m envious of that life, but it’s nice to take a peek inside for one heck of a wild ride.
*I received this copy from Blue Rider Press. Thank you!*
February 27, 2017
Highly recommend this book. Masterful storytelling, a fast-paced plot that takes you down so many unexpected roads, and loaded with multi-dimensional characters. You'll love spending time in the head of Carney Blake, whose narrative voice draws you in from page one. Even if you generally don't gravitate toward legal fiction, this is a terrific read. Clearly a veteran of big law, Liebman does enough explaining that there's no "inside baseball" that goes over the reader's head. Literally couldn't put it down. A page-turner in the best sense of the word.
February 24, 2017
I liked the book. Well constructed, and with only legal maneuvering and brief courtroom action, the author maintains a level of tension. Since I have worked with attorneys for the past dozen years or so, I found it easy to relate to the mentalities of the characters. That said, the author does not overdo the legal jargon, and makes the story easily accessible to any reader.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews