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How to Think Like a Lawyer—And Why: A Common-Sense Guide to Everyday Dilemmas
A law professor and author teaches non-attorneys how to think like a lawyer to gain advantage in their lives—whether buying a house, negotiating a salary, or choosing the right healthcare. Lawyers aren’t like other people. They often argue points that are best left alone or look for mistakes in menus “just because.” While their scrupulous attention to detail may be annoying, it can also be a valuable skill. Do you need to make health care decisions for an aging parent but are unsure where to start? Are you at crossroads in your career and don’t know how to move forward? Have you ever been on a jury trying to understand confusing legal instructions? How to Think Like a Lawyer has the answers to help you cut through the confusion and gain an advantage in your everyday life. Kim Wehle identifies the details you need to pay attention to, the questions you should ask, the responses you should anticipate, and the pitfalls you can avoid. Topics
Wehle shows you how to break complex issues down into digestible, easier-to-understand pieces that will enable you to make better decisions in all areas of your life.
Wehle shows you how to break complex issues down into digestible, easier-to-understand pieces that will enable you to make better decisions in all areas of your life.
208 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
207 people are currently reading
2924 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 7, 2022
I’m not sure who the audience is here. Because it’s a little too complicated for the average person, too diluted for an attorney, and as a law student, I found it quite dull and a little redundant. The structure felt like two parallel but different explanations, like 1, 2, 3 at the same time as A, B, C, instead of an outline or embedded situation. The author covers BICAT, her framework for analysis well, but the cases and examples she uses to illustrate weren’t effective, in my humble opinion. Overall, it didn’t feel like a great guide for the non-lawyer and felt too basic for at attorney or law student.
April 14, 2022
The only takeaways were the case studies the author shared. No clear learning points on exactly how to think like a lawyer.
January 19, 2023
Audiobook — Full of good advice and viewpoints, a little borrowing to listen to.
February 2, 2022
Nothing spectacular... this is common sense critical thinking nothing further.
January 29, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book "How to Think Like a Lawyer" and all opinions expressed are my own. I just found this book kinda of boring.
November 9, 2023
How to Think Like a Lawyer by Kim Whele
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS
-PRINT: © February 22, 2022; 978-0063067561; HarperCollins; 208 pages.; unabridged (Paperback Info from HarperCollins.com)
-DIGITAL: © February 22, 2022; See above.
- *Audio: © February 22, 2022;; HarperAudio; 4 hours, 59 minutes; unabridged (Audio info from Audible version.)
-FILM: No
SERIES: No.
CHARACTERS:
N/A
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
-SELECTED: My husband ordered this one for us. This isn’t the kind of book he likes to listen to while driving, which is when we listen to books together, so I listened to it on my own-just to make sure we get our money’s worth from our Audible subscription. 😊
-ABOUT: Kim has a decision-making process that she likes to teach her legal classes. She refers to it as BICAT: Break the problem down. Identify your values and your aim. Collect lots of knowledge. Argue both sides of each point. And Tolerate the fact that people will disagree with your choice. During much of the book, she outlines this approach through various scenarios where decision making is critical.
-OVERALL IMPRESSION: While much of it was common sense, I found it a nice organized and useful approach to life’s challenges, especially considering that in the heat of the moment when decisions must be made, common sense, overshadowed by anxiety or outright fear (and other less than placid emotions), frequently abandons us.
My only “wait, that’s not right” moment was when after discussing divorce via lawyers, as hers had been, she suggests that a more cordial and amicable approach, if your situation allows for it, would be to do it yourself. She explains where papers can be obtained, but rather than advising to use a currently published book, she states that the folks at the courts will be helpful. I guess she had a moment of temporary amnesia. The people at the courts, in my experience, are adamant to the point of rudeness, that they cannot help. They won’t even tell you where to sign. One wants to blame them for being so rude to people who are obviously experiencing high stress, but one really shouldn’t, as it is merely a result of the fact that people without licenses to practice law can be in huge trouble for giving advice. They take this a bit too seriously in my opinion, but no doubt this avoidance to, in any way, assist document filers is drummed into them by their employers.
AUTHOR: Kim Whele. Excerpt From Wikipedia:
“Kimberly Lynn Wehle is a tenured law professor, writer, and legal contributor for ABC News and a former legal analyst for CBS News. She is an expert in civil procedure, administrative law, and the separation of powers.
Wehle writes on democracy and the separation of powers, outsourcing government, and the federal administrative state. Before joining ABC News, Wehle was a contributor for the PBS-syndicated BBC World News and BBC World News America. She is also an op-Ed contributor for Politico, The Atlantic, The Hill, The Guardian and The Bulwark, and a regular commentator on NPR's Morning Edition.[1][2][3][4] Wehle has authored three books, including How to Read the Constitution – and Why and What You Need to Know About Voting – and Why.[5] Her latest book is How to Think Like a Lawyer—and Why: A Common-Sense Guide to Everyday Dilemmas. She is best known for her ability to demystify legal concepts. Her next book, How the Pardon Power Works and Why'', is due for publication with Woodhall Press on September 3, 2024..”
NARRATOR: Nicole Zanzarella : Excerpt from IMDb
“Nicol Zanzarella was born in Yonkers, New York, USA. She is known for Zigzag (1997), Tympanum (2012) and Manhattan Chase (2000).”
From nicolezanzzarella.com:
“Originally from Yonkers, New York, she grew up hanging out on weekends with the disc jockeys of the local radio station that her father ran, and spent time in the pottery studio with her mom. Her grandparents helped raise her, which may explain why she has a penchant for old lace curtains while also having a mouth like a truck driver. She loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes for company, and is often seen wearing a scarf and carrying a cup of coffee, no matter the weather.
Somewhere right in the center of her is where grounded feet meet a curious and wandering soul.
She has a passion for stories that feature kick-ass women with a heart of gold, and quirky small towns. She knows all the words to the songs piped in at Marshalls and Trader Joe’s (see above experience with Dad). Who doesn't like to jam out to Dan Fogelberg when they are shopping?! Mom gets credit for that one.
She discovered, a little later than some, a love for boxing and her mean left hook. And now she is also learning about the ancient Hindu practice of Yoga, and following in her great-grandmother’s tradition of hand embroidery, all combining to bring her ever closer to her daily goals in the quote at the bottom of the page.
Her last name means “little mosquito” (or little pest, as her grandfather used to say), echoing her belief in the African proverb that you're never too small to make a difference.
Life and work have taken her from New York City, to Southern California, to her current adventure living back East, just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, in a rich and thriving arts community, with the man who lights her way when she can't see it.”
GENRE: Non-fiction; Self-help; business and economics
LOCATIONS: N/A
TIME FRAME: Current - 2022
SUBJECTS: Business, economics, decision-making; problem-solving; education; law; education; divorce; workforce; family relations; medical decisions
DEDICATION: “I lovingly dedicate this book to my grandparents, Ann and Jack Nelson, who used common sense to live with integrity”
SAMPLE QUOTATION: Excerpt From Introduction
“While many of the people I come across in my life are either lawyers or are planning to become lawyers (blame Washington, D. C., and the local law school where I teach), even those with established careers not in law often tell me that they wish they had gone to law school. Still, a lot of people in the world don’t love lawyers. Many believe that lawyers mostly add conflict to situations, rather than diffuse them, and that we do tend to do so aggressively, arrogantly, and without compassion. Lawyers are expensive, the legal system is painfully slow, and lawyers can make an astounding amount of money—lots more than most Americans. Drive down virtually any highway in America and you’ll see a billboard touting legal services for individuals who may have been in a car accident or experienced botched health care, possibly reinforcing the stereotype of lawyers as money-motivated predators willing to file bogus lawsuits that wind up burdening the rest of society in one way or another.
That said, it’s often those same people who—when facing a decision about family or work or other responsibilities—find themselves suddenly considering hiring a lawyer or wishing they could somehow “think like a lawyer” to solve their problems. I hope this book will teach exactly that.”
RATING: 4 stars.
STARTED-FINISHED
11/1/2023-11/7/2023
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS
-PRINT: © February 22, 2022; 978-0063067561; HarperCollins; 208 pages.; unabridged (Paperback Info from HarperCollins.com)
-DIGITAL: © February 22, 2022; See above.
- *Audio: © February 22, 2022;; HarperAudio; 4 hours, 59 minutes; unabridged (Audio info from Audible version.)
-FILM: No
SERIES: No.
CHARACTERS:
N/A
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
-SELECTED: My husband ordered this one for us. This isn’t the kind of book he likes to listen to while driving, which is when we listen to books together, so I listened to it on my own-just to make sure we get our money’s worth from our Audible subscription. 😊
-ABOUT: Kim has a decision-making process that she likes to teach her legal classes. She refers to it as BICAT: Break the problem down. Identify your values and your aim. Collect lots of knowledge. Argue both sides of each point. And Tolerate the fact that people will disagree with your choice. During much of the book, she outlines this approach through various scenarios where decision making is critical.
-OVERALL IMPRESSION: While much of it was common sense, I found it a nice organized and useful approach to life’s challenges, especially considering that in the heat of the moment when decisions must be made, common sense, overshadowed by anxiety or outright fear (and other less than placid emotions), frequently abandons us.
My only “wait, that’s not right” moment was when after discussing divorce via lawyers, as hers had been, she suggests that a more cordial and amicable approach, if your situation allows for it, would be to do it yourself. She explains where papers can be obtained, but rather than advising to use a currently published book, she states that the folks at the courts will be helpful. I guess she had a moment of temporary amnesia. The people at the courts, in my experience, are adamant to the point of rudeness, that they cannot help. They won’t even tell you where to sign. One wants to blame them for being so rude to people who are obviously experiencing high stress, but one really shouldn’t, as it is merely a result of the fact that people without licenses to practice law can be in huge trouble for giving advice. They take this a bit too seriously in my opinion, but no doubt this avoidance to, in any way, assist document filers is drummed into them by their employers.
AUTHOR: Kim Whele. Excerpt From Wikipedia:
“Kimberly Lynn Wehle is a tenured law professor, writer, and legal contributor for ABC News and a former legal analyst for CBS News. She is an expert in civil procedure, administrative law, and the separation of powers.
Wehle writes on democracy and the separation of powers, outsourcing government, and the federal administrative state. Before joining ABC News, Wehle was a contributor for the PBS-syndicated BBC World News and BBC World News America. She is also an op-Ed contributor for Politico, The Atlantic, The Hill, The Guardian and The Bulwark, and a regular commentator on NPR's Morning Edition.[1][2][3][4] Wehle has authored three books, including How to Read the Constitution – and Why and What You Need to Know About Voting – and Why.[5] Her latest book is How to Think Like a Lawyer—and Why: A Common-Sense Guide to Everyday Dilemmas. She is best known for her ability to demystify legal concepts. Her next book, How the Pardon Power Works and Why'', is due for publication with Woodhall Press on September 3, 2024..”
NARRATOR: Nicole Zanzarella : Excerpt from IMDb
“Nicol Zanzarella was born in Yonkers, New York, USA. She is known for Zigzag (1997), Tympanum (2012) and Manhattan Chase (2000).”
From nicolezanzzarella.com:
“Originally from Yonkers, New York, she grew up hanging out on weekends with the disc jockeys of the local radio station that her father ran, and spent time in the pottery studio with her mom. Her grandparents helped raise her, which may explain why she has a penchant for old lace curtains while also having a mouth like a truck driver. She loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes for company, and is often seen wearing a scarf and carrying a cup of coffee, no matter the weather.
Somewhere right in the center of her is where grounded feet meet a curious and wandering soul.
She has a passion for stories that feature kick-ass women with a heart of gold, and quirky small towns. She knows all the words to the songs piped in at Marshalls and Trader Joe’s (see above experience with Dad). Who doesn't like to jam out to Dan Fogelberg when they are shopping?! Mom gets credit for that one.
She discovered, a little later than some, a love for boxing and her mean left hook. And now she is also learning about the ancient Hindu practice of Yoga, and following in her great-grandmother’s tradition of hand embroidery, all combining to bring her ever closer to her daily goals in the quote at the bottom of the page.
Her last name means “little mosquito” (or little pest, as her grandfather used to say), echoing her belief in the African proverb that you're never too small to make a difference.
Life and work have taken her from New York City, to Southern California, to her current adventure living back East, just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, in a rich and thriving arts community, with the man who lights her way when she can't see it.”
GENRE: Non-fiction; Self-help; business and economics
LOCATIONS: N/A
TIME FRAME: Current - 2022
SUBJECTS: Business, economics, decision-making; problem-solving; education; law; education; divorce; workforce; family relations; medical decisions
DEDICATION: “I lovingly dedicate this book to my grandparents, Ann and Jack Nelson, who used common sense to live with integrity”
SAMPLE QUOTATION: Excerpt From Introduction
“While many of the people I come across in my life are either lawyers or are planning to become lawyers (blame Washington, D. C., and the local law school where I teach), even those with established careers not in law often tell me that they wish they had gone to law school. Still, a lot of people in the world don’t love lawyers. Many believe that lawyers mostly add conflict to situations, rather than diffuse them, and that we do tend to do so aggressively, arrogantly, and without compassion. Lawyers are expensive, the legal system is painfully slow, and lawyers can make an astounding amount of money—lots more than most Americans. Drive down virtually any highway in America and you’ll see a billboard touting legal services for individuals who may have been in a car accident or experienced botched health care, possibly reinforcing the stereotype of lawyers as money-motivated predators willing to file bogus lawsuits that wind up burdening the rest of society in one way or another.
That said, it’s often those same people who—when facing a decision about family or work or other responsibilities—find themselves suddenly considering hiring a lawyer or wishing they could somehow “think like a lawyer” to solve their problems. I hope this book will teach exactly that.”
RATING: 4 stars.
STARTED-FINISHED
11/1/2023-11/7/2023
April 30, 2025
Basically a disappointing read, and probably due to my expectations being out of whack. A friend is a brilliant (my opinion) attorney and his ability to objectively evaluate information always impresses me, hence I wanted a book which explained where/how he acquired such skill.
Whele's book is basic level problem solving. Not intermediate and definitely not advanced. She applies legal training to dealing with life's everyday issues and cites law class training cases as examples.
Yeah, okay, and nothing in the text, explanations, or examples requires anything other than a clear head and a measure of self-awareness.
A second and almost top reason for reading this book is research for my current work-in-progress. The main character is a lawyer who gave up her practice at the height of her career to become a farmer (shades of Green Acres, I know). I'll do better researching buying my attorney friend lunch.
Might be a good book for others, not for me.
Whele's book is basic level problem solving. Not intermediate and definitely not advanced. She applies legal training to dealing with life's everyday issues and cites law class training cases as examples.
Yeah, okay, and nothing in the text, explanations, or examples requires anything other than a clear head and a measure of self-awareness.
A second and almost top reason for reading this book is research for my current work-in-progress. The main character is a lawyer who gave up her practice at the height of her career to become a farmer (shades of Green Acres, I know). I'll do better researching buying my attorney friend lunch.
Might be a good book for others, not for me.
March 31, 2022
I really liked Wehle's book on the Constitution and have assigned it to my students, who have in turn found it very thought-provoking. I was hoping for a follow up with legal issues here, but really didn't get it. The book borders on the trendy "smart self-help" stuff that is on shelves these days. This is more about how to apply logical thinking to one's life, rather than thinking about law and how it's practiced.
To be fair, this is not a bad book, I think it's marketed wrong. If you are looking how to think in a systematic way to make sure you are not being taken advantage of, or you are thinking through all of the possible outcomes, this is a good book. However, it is not in the same vein as Wehle's other works. I would have liked to see more caselaw in the book and some applicable law cases.
To be fair, this is not a bad book, I think it's marketed wrong. If you are looking how to think in a systematic way to make sure you are not being taken advantage of, or you are thinking through all of the possible outcomes, this is a good book. However, it is not in the same vein as Wehle's other works. I would have liked to see more caselaw in the book and some applicable law cases.
July 7, 2024
I have been struggling to figure out how to comment on this, so this might get weird. This is not a handbook to become an amateur lawyer. It's more about the problem solving process lawyers use, and one might use the same process to sort out some of life's challenges. The Book wanders from one analogy to the next, and it's a bit hard to follow. I have pages of notes, and I'll be struggling to get it straight. My reason for reading this is that it's a bizarre election year, and I am trying to understand what law makers are thinking and doing beyond the theatrical trash talk. What I do get from this, rhetoric is a major part, but one has to not be distracted by the trash talk.
March 18, 2025
I found Kim Wehle's How to Think Like a Lawyer—And Why to be an enjoyable read. This book serves as an engaging and approachable resource that illustrates how the analytical skills employed by lawyers can be utilized in everyday decision-making. Wehle effectively simplifies intricate legal reasoning into actionable advice, making it accessible for a broad audience. The text is rich with relatable examples and provides significant insights into critical thinking, problem-solving, and enhancing decision-making capabilities. Although certain aspects appeared somewhat redundant, I ultimately regarded it as a stimulating and beneficial read for those seeking to refine their judgment.
June 14, 2022
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It was a simple read. The ideas were not new or complex but I liked the way she expressed them and provided examples. I'm not sure I would frame it as thinking like a lawyer but as a framework to analyze situations. I intuitively do the things she laid out already, so maybe the book resonated with me for that reason. It seemed straightforward, logical, and balanced. A quick read which reminds us to slow down and think - not just react when in a difficult or complex situation.
June 30, 2022
As someone who already has a thorough way of making decisions, I didn’t find the book particularly helpful. The legal cases were interesting, though. I think if you are at the end of high school/beginning of college/looking for a way to change your way of decision making, this could be helpful. Otherwise, there’s nothing groundbreaking about what is being said and what is in the examples. It was an easy read, though, and there were some thought-provoking hypotheticals here and there.
July 29, 2024
4h 59m
1: Thinking Like a Lawyer at Work (Break the problem down in small parts)
2: Thinking Like a Lawyer in Family Life Decisions (Identify your values and your aim)
3: Thinking Like a Lawyer in Civic Life (Collect lots of knowledge)
4: Thinking Like a Lawyer in Health Care (Argue both sides of each point)
5: Thinking Like a Lawyer in Hiring a Lawyer (Tolerate the fact that people will disagree with your
point and that you might feel conflicted)
1: Thinking Like a Lawyer at Work (Break the problem down in small parts)
2: Thinking Like a Lawyer in Family Life Decisions (Identify your values and your aim)
3: Thinking Like a Lawyer in Civic Life (Collect lots of knowledge)
4: Thinking Like a Lawyer in Health Care (Argue both sides of each point)
5: Thinking Like a Lawyer in Hiring a Lawyer (Tolerate the fact that people will disagree with your
point and that you might feel conflicted)
April 22, 2025
it was nothing groundbreaking.
the main point is – nothing is black and white; even the simplest problem has depth and a variety of solutions.
i didn't exactly like the examples, but they do provide context.
BICAT:
— break the problem down
— identify your values and your aim
— collect a lot of information
— argue both sides of each point
— tolerate the fact that people may disagree with your choice, and that you might feel conflicted about your decision
the main point is – nothing is black and white; even the simplest problem has depth and a variety of solutions.
i didn't exactly like the examples, but they do provide context.
BICAT:
— break the problem down
— identify your values and your aim
— collect a lot of information
— argue both sides of each point
— tolerate the fact that people may disagree with your choice, and that you might feel conflicted about your decision
January 26, 2023
B-I-C-A-T is a useful tool. Some parts of it are used to illustrate how a lawyer differs in thinking from non-lawyers and, that is helpful. However, too many repetitions of that anagram and too many examples under each part take it from enlightening to distracting. The checklists at the end of several chapters are pithy and excellent.
June 3, 2023
Some interesting information and equally useful scenarios and processes were revealed in the book. I would like to add though that if all all of the professions of pseudo or real intellectuals that I have to deal with in my life, this book reminded me how insufferable lawyers are and how smart they all think they are and basically just being good at arguing stuff.
December 22, 2024
Pretty good start for my law school journey! Liked the cases that were used as examples. I think the BICAT framework could have been just one chapter on its own, and then working through the cases each step of the way, while also including the practical applications for each separate issue at hand more in depth.
May 27, 2022
worth reading on hyper speed audio for refreshers on critical thinking and why life and decision making processes are far better when they involve more than black and white thinking and reactive emotional knee jerk responses.
January 7, 2023
3 stars. Considering a career in law, I️ wanted to like this book. I appreciated the format of the book and the topics covered. However, most of it felt like basic critical thinking skills that are just common sense.
February 14, 2023
Listened to the audiobook.
The book wasn't what I expected it to be. Overall it was just okay, but it may have been because I went in thinking it would be different than it was. While I don't feel I learned a ton, I did take some things away. It was a quick read and super digestable.
The book wasn't what I expected it to be. Overall it was just okay, but it may have been because I went in thinking it would be different than it was. While I don't feel I learned a ton, I did take some things away. It was a quick read and super digestable.
April 25, 2023
This book was interesting but felt too obvious. Maybe my own mathematical education has taught me how to think like this but there was nothing special in this. I did enjoy a few of the cases brought up.
I'd recommend this if you're looking for a logical foundation.
I'd recommend this if you're looking for a logical foundation.
December 4, 2023
This book provides a good framework for thinking about the process of tackling a complex situation in real life. I really liked the case studies and it has intrigued me enough to search for more such books where complex cases are discussed in detail.
February 4, 2022
Good information
February 23, 2022
Great book!
February 26, 2022
A must read for anyone interested in tackling life head on!
March 12, 2022
Basic little book. I am giving it only 3 stars because I would have liked to have seen more information.
March 15, 2022
I liked it, there was some useful stuff I think will stay with me.
June 7, 2022
I like her - have read all her books!!!
September 18, 2022
Think Like a Lawyer... offering reviews of a few legal cases and some advice on methods of working through problems, this book is interesting. I didn't get much useful information out of it, but I did enjoy reading just for the behind the scenes of how legal cases proceed.
September 19, 2022
Everyone should read this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews