A compelling, thrilling and refreshing read by Grisham. I wasn’t expecting it, but I was pleasantly surprised and captivated by the story of Michael Brock, a 32-year old corporate lawyer, specializing in anti-trust, on the fast-track to become partner in a big D.C. law firm. Until one day his life changes for good, when a homeless man takes him and 8 other lawyers hostage in a conference room.
Michael doesn’t walk away unscathed in the sense that he’s the only one of the hostages who wants to know why this homeless man did what he did and had to be taken out by a sniper for it. The knowing the facts behind the hostage situation gives Michael pause and this makes him question his values and standing in life.
I could totally relate to the world of corporate law because I used to work in a legal department, and what I learned from that experience is that money is a the only motivator in corporate law.
Once Michael decides that he has to put his legal knowledge to help the homeless and starts to work at the legal clinic the book takes us on a new path. The plight of the homeless in D.C. is very well documented in this story. Although, as a reader, you worry about Michael, who leaves behind security and the only way of life he's known so far. Ultimately, you can only admire him, and all the people who endeavor to help the homeless. This was an excellent read, also because the author kept it entertaining.

Another recue from the local street library. A lucky find.

Though it was first published in 1998, it is still quite relevant. Michael Brock is what passes for the stereotypical lawyer ala John Grisham: A driven associate on the fast track to a million+ per year salary with a gorgeous wife, nice car and digs, the whole shebang. And no social conscience to speak of.

Suddenly, his life gets turned upside down when he and several other lawyers in the firm are taken hostage by an armed, unhinged homeless man. For Mike, it's a defining moment that changes his life. The real story here, told via a convoluted legal battle, is Michael Brock's journey from selfish snob to caring human being. And this part of the story is well told.

The story of the failure of his marriage lacks depth, and his soon-to-be ex wife is given air time she shouldn't have that went nowhere. The development of his relationships with the other Street Lawyers feels genuine, adding depth to Mike's journey.

I'm glad to have read this at this moment in history. The things 'we' are dealing with in the world today aren't new. In 1998, John Grisham gave us a character who realizes the pure indulgent excesses that so many of us enjoy while not giving a thought to those who have less than nothing.

I recommend this book. A legal thriller that provides impetus for self-examination. Go figure.

a moral story of wealthy lawyer who have shocking and traumatic experience that turns his world upside down.

Oh Nooo!
Was this going to be another privileged, self-centered, materialistic and narcissistic white lawyer who "sees the light" story? Well, in the beginning yes.
The beginning of this one started out with shallow character development for the protagonist lawyer who is on the fast track to lawyer stardom and partnership with the best firm in the world, A-men! And then!!!!!!
It was a struggle at times to read this story due to the formulaic trajectory of said lawyers path after a come-to jesus occurrence. But the last half moved on from the do-good compulsive behavior and got down to some serious lets kick some evil/establishment booty. the last half was a 4 star for sure.
3 stars

This is the fourth book by John Grisham that I have read (the others being, The Firm, Gray Mountain and The Litigators). I was disappointed with The Litigators so I was expecting so much from The Street Lawyer. I enjoyed reading this book except that it didn't have the thrill of The Firm (the first John Grisham book I read). The thing I appreciat the most is how it has opened my eyes to the problem of homelessness and how society tends to overlook people living on the street. A book policy makers need to read and perhaps develop ways of dealing with this problem.

4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback

Het is een heel goed verhaal over een jonge advocaat die een succesvolle carrière ruilt voor een carrière als pro deo advocaat voor de daklozen.

Ik vond het een aangrijpend verhaal! Een verhaal dat je over het leven doet nadenken. Wij nemen alles zo vanzelfsprekend, een dak boven ons hoofd (een huisje), genoeg eten, kledij, ... Maar als je het verhaal leest dan zie je dat er toch nog heel veel mensen in armoede leven. Ondanks dat ik het met mijn WIA niet breed heb is dat geen vergelijk met wat deze mensen meemaken. Het maakt mij nog dankbaarheid voor alle zegen die ik heb.

De manier waarop die mensen leven komt in het verhaal heel goed aan bod en wordt zeker en vast heel goed voorgesteld.

One of my favourite authors is John Grisham. His books are one of the reasons that I decided to study Law for my degree. Even though his portrayal of the law and the job that comes with it is slightly exaggerated and intense, I believe there is truth behind his novels. He is an American lawyer specialising in Criminal law. This is evident within his novels as he is best known for his legal thrillers. I have read the majority of his books and out of all of them, The Street Lawyer has by far been my favourite read.

The Street Lawyer is a story of a wealthy, successful lawyer in Washington DC, Michael Brock. One day at work within his law firm, Drake and Sweeney, they are challenged by a homeless old man who walks into the office armed. The old man is shot by the police and Michael, in shock by this, investigates and soon realises that his law firm had made the old man homeless. With his marriage breaking up in his personal life and the trouble surrounding him in his professional career, he decides he can no longer work for the law firm. He meets Mordecai Green, who runs a law firm which helps the homeless, and decides to join him. Michael goes against his law firm and steals evidence from them which proves that the company evicted the old man and other tenants. Michael leaves his wife and begins work in a shelter for the homeless. His company realise that he knows the truth and do everything possible to try and stop him from revealing their dark secrets, resulting in his arrest. The book then builds on the case where Mordecai Green defends him.

The book is gripping in the sense that you don't know what the company are going to do next. They are so desperate to keep their secrets hidden and it is scary to read how far they are prepared to go to stop Michael, their ex co-worker and friend. The most appealing aspect of the book to me is not just the law system and the corruptions which surround it, but also the storyline regarding the homeless. In reality, a growing number of people in big cities are homeless. Some lose their jobs and cannot afford to live; some leave their home or are forced to leave their home to avoid domestic violence and abuse. Whatever the reason, the sad truth is that the local governments have shelters but they are usually crowded. Charities run hostels and soup kitchens where they offer hot food but even they are crowded and, sadly, some end up on the streets and survive by begging. Young people tend to find seeing someone on the streets somewhat amusing and I think the reason for this is that they are not educated behind the reasons of what can put a person in this position. The systems to provide shelter are long winded by paperwork and old-fashioned traditions, leaving the homeless helpless and lost. Unfortunately, this happens more than we, as society, like to acknowledge and it is easy to forget. So I like this book because it broadens your mind about everyday life occurrences and shows you the ugly truth which society tries to avoid.

I would say this book is appropriate to read from the ages of 11 and above. I read this book at a very young age myself and it really makes me grateful to my teachers who made it possible for me to read. The Street Lawyer always reminds me that education is a powerful instrument which can make a difference in your development, both academically and socially. Reading not only develops your imagination but can change you as a person. If mature reading can be instilled into an individual from a very young age, it will have a positive effect on their future aspirations.

I believe this book can be used to make older students discuss attitudes toward the poor and homeless, developing their social awareness skills. The book teaches you about helping those in need and looking beyond the face surface of situations. It can also be used for students to begin thinking about their future aspirations and maybe if they want to carry out a career in law or even anything else. Students can also be asked to carry out role-play activities in relation to the conversation between the characters in the book. This will involve working together in pairs or in a group with the aim of creating a scene from their own interpretation and understanding of the book. There is a certain emphasis on the media within the book so the book can be used to promote interest in one of the powerful sources of society which acts as a social change. Students can be divided into groups to talk about the media, focusing on the power of the media and how their intervention changed the course of events. This can lead to intellectual discussions and also may get young adults to engage in conversations over every day events and how they are portrayed in the news and newspapers today. This book can be used with young people for many activities. Reading this book can be viewed as both relaxing and fun, but at the same time educational. It is insightful, interesting and thrilling, all at the same time.

3 STARS

"Michael was a top lawyer at Drake & Sweeney, a giant D.C. firm when a chance, violent encounter with a homeless man with a secret knocks him off the corporate ladder and leaves him in the streets, a poverty lawyer and a thief." (From Amazon).

An okay novel by Grisham - the suspense is low in this one.

Of all the Grisham books I've read, this was the least interesting. This was more a treatise on homelessness than a legal thriller; the case seemed to be thrown in there, poorly developed and without much function in the book except to fill a need for having SOME sort of lawyering. Not very entertaining.

This was very good! I enjoyed every aspect it, really liked the characters of Michael, Sofia, Mordecai and Arthur. I even liked Ruby. It really opens your eyes as to what is important in life.

When a book invokes an emotional response from me and opens my eyes to issues we tend to see but put right out of our minds, it makes a lasting impression on me. This storyline revolves around a young lawyer, Michael Brock, who because of one unexpected incident finds himself questioning his whole life. When Michael wants to know more about the hostage situation at his office and what might have prompted the action he makes a decision that could carry career-ending conquesences if discovered. When he is denied access to a real estate file he wants to review which Michael is sure will provide some of the answers he is looking for, Michael makes a decision to secretly remove a file from the attorney's office (a decision that provides him with the proof he needs of wrongdoing on the part of his firm). With an already crumbling marriage, he makes a life-changing decision to shuck everything and become an advocate for the homeless. He joins Mordecai Green, at 14th Street Legal Clinic and is bombarded with the many issues faced by the homeless population in Washington, D.C. (although it could be any major city). Grisham does an excellent job of describing what life at a prominent law firm is like and takes the reader through the many changes and fears Michael faces as he becomes a "Street Lawyer". The characters of Michael Brock and Mordecai Green are believable and likable.

It is sad to realize that although this book was published over 12 years ago, the problems faced by the homeless in our country has remained unchanged.

*Review Coming Up