Books For Attorneys - Three Resource Books For Every Lawyer

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If you are a new lawyer, or you've been practicing for some time you'll want to add the following books to your library, if you haven't got them already:

Lowering the Bar by Marc Galanter - While there are tons of books available that bash lawyers, this is not one of them. Instead, just like a modern Shakespeare, Galanter takes lawyer jokes and draws similarities to trends of society in America. There are thousands of jokes including cartoons that mock lawyers and the legal system, and he shows how it is all influencing the way relationships are changing between individuals, as well as between citizens and the American government, and also between corporations and their customers. Lawyer jokes remain popular because they're still out there fighting for the little guy. This is a great read if you're starting out in the world of law.

The Creative Lawyer by Michael Melcher - This is a book that is written with lawyers in mind. It is also pretty useful if you want to find more satisfaction from your life or career. It is written well, in an articulate and entertaining manner. It provides insight that actual works when attempted in the real world. It will give you a new perspective on how you feel about yourself, and your job. Like many books similar to this one, it is an interesting read, but you'll find the most benefit by actually trying the suggestions made in it. It's time to stop thinking about the life you want and get a success coach, a career mentor, or whatever you need to get it to happen!

The Unhappy Lawyer by Monica Parker - The American education system is outdated. Since the 50's the entire American population has been brainwashed to go to school and when you finish get a job. This is very true in the legal field where it is seen that becoming a lawyer will fulfill all of your goals in life. If you are feeling pigeon-holed after passing the bar, you need to realize that you don't just have to become a lawyer, you can do anything you want to do. You could be a speaker, a writer, a great thinker, a business man, and you'll have a leg up since you already know the law. This book will help you explore all of your potential.

Plus one for good measure:

How Lawyers Lose Their Way by Jean Stefancic - Most lawyers don't have the time to read books outside of all the books they need to read for the job. You should do yourself a favor and find some spare time and read through this book. If you've been feeling disenchanted or that you've taken the wrong path, this book will get you back. If you feel that your life is governed by formality and materialism, you need to start reevaluating things. This book will help you find new meaning in all the sacrifices you made to get where you are.

Dominic is no lawyer and doesn't play one on TV. His latest website is centered around room air purifiers and discovering the IQAir Healthpro purifier [http://roomairpurifiersshop.com/IQAir_Healthpro_Purifier.html] to keep your air free from odors and allergens.

The Public Domain - How to Find & Use Copyright-Free Writings, Music, Art & More by Stephen Fishman

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The 4th edition of "The Public Domain: How to Find & Use Copyright-Free Writings, Music, Art & More" by Attorney Stephen Fishman is an exceptional guide to this often confusing topic of public domain works that just happen to be free for the taking if you know what to look for and where to look.

Published by Nolo, a publisher that is passionate about making the law accessible to everyone, the book is easy to understand by the layperson, but still had depth that I as an attorney found quite satisfying for a basic text on the issues surrounding public domain works.

The book is logically formatted and contains 22 chapters that take up over 400 pages. Obviously the book starts out with an introduction chapter where Fishman explains what public domain actual is and provides information on the gray areas of public domain works. He then briefly discusses copyright law and the looting of the public domain ins chapter two. I would recommend a person further their study with a text specifically on copyright to enhance their understanding of this topic. After reading this book, I might just check out Fishman's "The Copyright Handbook." He did an excellent job here, so I'd trust his other book would be beneficial as well.

The next chapters are specific to the kind of work you are looking at in the public domain. Fishman starts with writings, maybe the most common work when people think of copyright and public domain. The next chapters discuss Music, Art, Photography, Movies and Television, Computer Software, Architecture, Maps, Choreography, Databases and Collections, and Titles respectively. Each of these chapters contains a wealth of information related to public domain and the type of work addressed in the chapter. Again, all of the information is easily understood and organized in a way to make the book not only easy to read and understand, but fascinating and enjoyable as well. (okay, maybe if you are not an attorney, you won't enjoy reading legal books, but it is fascinating to learn about this topic) Fishman also provides numerous websites and other sources to further your study and to help with your searching and researching regarding public domain works.

In his next chapters, Fishman delves into topics such as Public Domain Elements in Copyrighted Writings, Copyrights Restored From the Public Domain, and The Public Domain Outside the United States. From there he goes into The Internet and Public Domain, how long copyright protection lasts, and copyright notice requirements. All of these chapters contain solid advice.

The final three chapters contain information on traps for the unwary, trademark and publicity rights, advice on researching copyright office records, and what to do if a work in not in the public domain, including a small segment on Fair Use.

I found this to be a unique and excellent guide to find and use public domain, or in other words - copyright-free material with no permission or fees required, works. If you need to find or identify what creative works are protected by copyright and what works are not, this is an excellent place to start. Highly recommended if you want or need to know more about this topic.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a mediator/attorney with Bennett Law Office P.C. and an author/speaker through his own company Burrese Enterprises Inc. He teaches people to live with the warrior's edge through his writing and speaking on a variety of topics focusing on the business areas of negotiation and success principles as well as self-defense and safety topics. He is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks, several instructional dvds, and numerous articles. You can find out more about Alain Burrese at his websites http://www.burrese.com/ and http://bennettlawofficepc.com/