How much would you give up to get justice for your family?
Matthew Daley is a Manhattan corporate lawyer at the top of his game. As the first defense attorney on call to get pharmaceutical companies out of trouble, Matt is rising in the judicial system exactly as he planned. Until his sister dies of a heroin overdose.
Now, torn between conscience and career, the newly minted law partner faces a critical defend the very companies that manufactured the addictive drugs, or give up his fiancé and his hard-won dream job to fight for justice in his sister’s name.
Returning to his blue-collar hometown with a ragtag band of law-school misfits by his side, Matt squares off against a team of New York corporate attorneys in a high-stakes courtroom battle. If he wins, the case could have national implications, bringing down the multibillion-dollar Big Pharma industry. If he loses, he’ll become collateral damage in the greatest fall of his career and his life.
J.D. Trafford is the winner of the National Legal Fiction Writing Competition for Lawyers, has been profiled in Mystery Scene Magazine (a "writer of merit"), and written multiple bestselling legal thrillers. This includes the “No Time” series featuring Michael Collins, which was selected as an IndieReader bestselling pick, and Little Boy Lost, which has sold over 100,000 copies and was the #1 overall bestseller on Amazon.
In addition to graduating with honors from a Top 20 law school, J.D. Trafford has worked as a civil and criminal prosecutor, an associate at a large national law firm, and a non-profit attorney for people who could not afford legal representation.
Prior to law school, J.D. Trafford worked in Washington D.C. and lived in Saint Louis, Missouri. He worked on issues of housing, education, and poverty in communities of color.
He now lives with his wife and children in the Midwest, and bikes whenever possible.
Without Prececent by J.D. Trafford is a David and Goliath courtroom battle between a small group with a cause and a giant law firm defending Big Pharma. This book is on point considering the epidemic of senseless opioid deaths occuring in recent years. Matthew Daley is a successful Manhattan corporate lawyer who defends large pharmaceutical companies, without concern for the "little guys" who fall by the wayside. Until his sister dies of a heroin overdose after becoming addicted to pain medication prescribed by her doctor. Matthew finds himself on the other side of the courtroom when he decides to quit his prestigious job and moves to his parents' basement in order to sue the drug company that manufactured the pills that led to his sister's demise. His legal team consists of an old law school chum who has never practiced law and a few lawyers-to-be. A very lopsided court case indeed. I much enjoyed Without Precedent and look forward to reading more books by J. D. Trafford. If you enjoy legal thrillers with down-trodden plaintiffs going against big corporations, this one is for you. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book thru a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank the author and the publishing company for their generosity.
This book is your basic run of the mill legal thriller. Matt is leading the life in New York. He is about to make partner and get married and his dreams are being fulfilled. Back home in St. Louis, his sister dies of an overdose and Matt's life is turned upside down.
If you have read John Grisham you know what you are going to get with this novel. A life altering event that brings on a legal case that is similar to David vs. Goliath and all these events bring changes to the main character. That is what I basically want from a legal thriller and this book delivers that perfectly. You will be cheering for the underdogs and hiss at the corporate giant. I liked how the author doesn't overburden the reader with legal terms and streamlines the court case. It quickened the pace and never felt bogged down. This book was about the characters and how they handle the case and not solely about how the case was decided.
This doesn't add anything new to this genre. That being said, it was very enjoyable for every second that I read it. This was my introduction to this author and I will definitely check out something else by this author.
I just do not know where to start. Obviously at the beginning I hear you cry, but I enjoyed this book so much I am a bit overexcited. The first thing to say is that sometimes 5 stars just doesn’t get it and it is at times like this I wish we rated books out of 10 so that it is easier to see the really outstanding books. If that were the case – 10 stars obviously.
Our protagonist Matthew is a corporate lawyer who specialises in defending pharmaceutical companies. His style is to shift the blame from the pharmaceutical companies to anyone – the doctors who prescribed (did they do so correctly), the patient’s own lifestyle, anyone. Yes there is blame attached, but not to the manufacturer. Pretty slick. So is his lifestyle. Earn plenty, climb the ladder in his legal firm and marry the right girl and buy the right house. Pretty slick (again). Until he receives a message that his sister has died of a heroin overdose.
Returning to his family home he deals with the funeral etc., and it is his brother who pricks his conscience regarding her death. It is only when he returns back to work that he decides to walk away from the morally corrupt lifestyle and challenge the drug company who prescribed his sister’s medication.
That is it. I can’t say anymore, because it will spoil everything. There were times I doubted the outcome and Matt’s ability, but I never doubted the great plot or indeed the great characters. This reminds me very much of John Grisham’s books. Fantastic. Any more Mr Trafford? Please…
Thank you to the author publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
Big-time lawyer defends monolithic corporation and wins case. Loved one dies as result of corporation’s wrongdoing. Attack of conscience hits lawyer who goes after big business. Does the plot sound familiar? The author does a great job of taking a tried and true formula and turning it into an excellent story with well-developed characters and subplots to make it a compulsive read.
OxyContin Purdue Pharma the makers of OxyContin has been accused of downplaying the drug’s addiction risk and advising doctors to prescribe the highest dosage of the painkiller because it was more profitable thus helping ignite the nationwide opioid crisis.
This book is John Grisham's 'The Rainmaker' this time around they are suing the manufacturers of opioid pain medication. Ripped right out of today's headlines. A straightforward book that reads more like a movie script. The characters lack depth and the plot is too similar to Grisham's book to give it four stars.
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down, great story line and I couldn't wait to get to the end to find out the outcome of the trial! This book kept me very interested from the first chapter to the last!
The author wrote a thriller that started with a bang and just kept going! The twists kept coming, so I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
I got this as a arc e book for my i pad from Net Galley. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. It is my first book read by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.
I absolutely love a legal drama and this did not disappoint. It was fast moving, engaging and I really enjoyed the intricate details Trafford went into with the case.
Matthew Daley is a corporate lawyer, working in a large firm in Manhattan and a newly minted partner. He has a beautiful fiancé and a luxurious lifestyle. Matthew wins a huge case by defending a pharmaceutical company and his career is soaring. Things get tricky when sister later dies of a heroine overdose, attributed to her initial addiction to the drugs manufactured by those same pharma companies he defends. Matthew chooses his conscience over the money, returning to his hometown to begin a courtroom battle against the New York lawyers to obtain justice for his sisters death. The odds are against him as he is assisted only by an old lecturer and a group of law students and the stakes are high, as his reputation is on the line.
I really enjoyed Trafford's focus on opioid painkillers and their link to this type of addiction. I also loved the feeling of Daley fighting, as the underdog, against the big corporate firms and although I felt some of the plot was a little too neat at times from a legal perspective, I still thoroughly enjoyed the writing.
A big thank you to @netgalley #thomasandmercer and #jdtrafford for this advance reader, in exchange for my honest review.
Wow Matthew will go through a hell of a lot ...poor dude. Will Matthew find his way, he has divided he life between his New York lawyer life and the family life he had back in St. Louis .. like he is 2 different people and neither one wants to come together, kind of scared of showing them to each other? if that makes any sense? He has a reason to fight, fight for his sister, who did get addicted to drugs, and her heroin overdose. Will all those losses keep him from the end??! Timothy Andres Pabon (narrator) this was a listen or read situation, my fave. I think a narrator is so important, if you find one with a great voice, easy to listen to ... this is one for sure. great listen. enjoyable while u do life. at times it was funny ... just the quirkiness of Matthew's family and family moments. (nothing about his sister's situation) just remembering their childhood ... will check out more from this author in the future. ( ;
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved how he was disgusted and turned the tables on the pharmaceutical company. I recommend this book to people who enjoy a good court case. Fabulous.
This is a story about accountability. The main focus is a giant, successful pharmaceutical company accused of contributing to the deaths of heroin addicts and a lawyer who specialises in defending corporate companies. Only, for this story, he becomes the prosecutor not the defender.
Obviously written by someone familiar with the legal system in the United States, this book gives an in-depth look at how a case is prepared and fought. At times the minutia can be a tad dull, but the precision is fascinating and easy to follow for a layman like myself.
This is also the story of the lawyer and his disjointed family, how they do not take responsibility for their own issues, instead choosing to deal with them through alcohol, drugs or stonewalling. The protagonist has a similar approach and experience in his personal and romantic relationships. In one case he abandoned a girlfriend and in the other instance he found out the romance was over by stumbling across an incident. So he wants the pharmaceutical company to be accountable for the consequences of its actions while he isn't himself.
The climax to this interesting book comes towards the end in the trial itself. This is exciting stuff. It is not overly dramatic but clever and subtle. This highly effective style keeps the book admirably skilful with a cheeky little twist.
What do you do when you are being asked to put aside your morals and scruples for money? How do you face your family when your sister has died from a drug overdose due to drugs that were manufactured by a company your law firm wants you to defend? A choice must be made, and in Trafford’s novel, Matt makes that choice. This is definitely a case of David versus Goliath, as Matt, along with the help of a few friends, and his family takes a stand against drug addiction and the opioid crisis. You will find yourself rooting for him and his band of cohorts as they scramble to hold the pharmaceutical companies liable for the manufacturing of addictive drugs. This story is well-crafted and keeps you engaged the entire time. Anyone who is a fan of Scott Turow, Scott Pratt or Michael Connelly will enjoy this read. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to review. #NetGalley #WithoutPrecedent
Great legal thriller in the vein of John Grisham. The book takes us through the story of a lost family member and her lawyer brother who switches from a shark for pharmaceutical companies to suing one firm for their role In his sister’s death. The book is a compelling and timely novel about the opioid crisis and the culpability of pharmaceutical companies.
This is a five star story. The characters are unvarnished and the problem is real. I identified with Sherman and rooted for Matt. I'm actually reconsidering my opinion of lawyers. This exposes one of the most insidious real life crimes being committed daily in every small town in America and most of the world. The court scenes are compelling and at one point brought a lump to my throat. There is much truth in the daily lives of these imperfect people. I loved experiencing it with them. This is a professionally constructed and well written novel. I highly recommend it. Thank you Mr. Trafford.
In J.D. Trafford’s latest legal thriller “Without Precedent”, Matthew Daley felt as if he was untouchable as he climbed the litigation ladder at a prestigious firm in New York, until his world imploded. The devastating loss of a family member to a long-time addiction and finding out that his romantic life was not what it seemed sent Matthew back to his humble beginnings. This novel is a commentary on the world of addiction and the big pharmaceutical companies that only see dollars and not humans and the toll addiction has had on our country. Mr. Trafford has written this book in a manner that will leave the reader cheering in the end. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
An earnest and heartbroken attorney goes up against evil corporate America to bring justice to the millions of those who, like his sister, are harmed every day by, in this case, opioids. Trafford has taken a classic theme and made it topical. Matthew, the crusading hero, has good reason to rethink his life- until recently he's made his very good living off defending the very pharmaceutical companies which he is now attacking. Oh, and he employed a blame the victim approach. It's always nice to see someone work through their past and do good. The characters, including the family (loved the mom), are well drawn and the law is explained well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of legal dramas.
This is the first book I read from JD Trafford. A Legal / Thriller written by an attorney? No surprise it is well thought out, provides interesting notes within the legal system. The piece which was so good in this case was the storyline. This is not an action packed thriller but rather a quick paced story of an underdog who decides to take on something that he believes in. No easy task for any of us.
Matthew Daley is a Manhattan corporate lawyer at the top of his game. As the first defense attorney on call to get pharmaceutical companies out of trouble, Matt is rising in the judicial system exactly as he planned. Until his sister dies of a heroin overdose.
Now, torn between conscience and career, the newly minted law partner faces a critical choice: defend the very companies that manufactured the addictive drugs, or give up his fiancée and his hard-won dream job to fight for justice in his sister’s name.
I try not to provide any spoilers in any of my short reviews. In this case there is a tremendous amount of empathy and sympathy which I consistently felt for the characters. This ebook is timely in the subject matter - opiods, overdose and Big Pharma responsibility.
I will definitely look for other JD Trafford books.
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
For the past few years, I've been allowing myself to DNF books when I find them so uninspiring I don't pick them up for weeks. That was the case with this one. I read about twenty percent of it over the course of a month because I wasn't interested enough to pick it up for more than a few minutes at a time, once or twice a week. The writing felt amateur and stilted, and I didn't care about the characters. Moving on.
This book is fiction, but it's someone's life story. The opioid crisis is real, and untold numbers of people die from opioid overdoses every day. I happen to live in a county that led our state in opioid overdoses, and that's not something to be proud of. This book was a captivating story. If you like legal thrillers, this is sort of like that. Reading this book, you're taken on a ride through the life of a hurting family, but a family that decides to take that pain and do something with it, rather than just let it eat at them. How things might have turned out is left to your imagination, but it's a good story. A big-city attorney finds himself in a much smaller arena, but the stakes are much higher than any of his other cases...it's personath this time. His sister died from a heroin overdose. He gets the bright idea to sue the company that manufactured a pain medication his sister had become addicted to after a car accident. This was certainly out of his league. His cases were high-power cases with a whole firm of attorneys to back him up. He's on his own now...or is he? Help comes from unexpected places and the trial takes some unexpected turns, but at the end of the day, what really matters? Is it the money, or is it just proving a point? Is it just the principle of the thing, and how far can he go and expect to succeed? Success is definitely something he knows he can't count on, but at end of the day, family is still family and he has more friends than he thought he did. This isn't a typical read for me but it was a good one.
The story moves along at a good clip giving just enough detail in court processes to keep the reader engaged Once I started reading it I didn’t want to put it down.
My rating is actually a 3.8. Thoroughly enjoyed this legal tale of a classic David and Goliath struggle. The plot moves quickly and the characters are well-drawn. And the slight twist at the end was a nice touch. And obviously the theme of the devastating opioid crisis in this country was quite relevant. I’d definitely recommend it.
I'm an avid reader and love legal thrillers...if they are written right. Trafford was spot on. I was captivated from the start until the very end. There were a few predictable parts, but he played them well and entangled them to fit the story. This was my first Trafford read...now onto the next one!
3.8 Well paced legal thriller with great characters. Even though the ending was somewhat predictable, the case was anything but that. Definitely, worth a read!
I give five stars cause he kept my interest the whole time then added a twist at the end.Enjoyed the read. Maybe it's just me but I would like to think that my time was well spent reading this book.