Good legal gifts for lawyers range from practical accessories the lawyer on your list can use in her office or in the courtroom, to entertainment that offers amusing or insightful observations on the legal profession. You'll be able to find appropriate legal gifts for the attorney you're shopping for, whether she just passed the bar exam or is already a hardened courtroom veteran.
Books
You can find a wide range of useful books for lawyers that transcend the dry, clinical language of legal texts. Thane Josef Messenger's "The Young Lawyer's Jungle Book" offers practical advice for surviving the stresses of a new attorney's first year of practice, covering topics such as recovering from mistakes and dealing with unhappy clients. Peter Huber and Kenneth Foster's "Judging Science" provides guidance for sifting through expert testimony to distinguish pertinent scientific information from jargon intended to cloud the issue. Carolyn Elefant's "Solo by Choice" details the considerations a lawyer must address when making a decision to practice law as part of a firm or begin a solo practice, while giving specific steps to take to make that practice succeed.
Decor
Artwork with a legal theme is an appropriate addition to any attorney's office. A miniature statue of Themis, the Greek goddess of justice, provides a visual reminder of the purpose of the legal profession. Themis is traditionally depicted as a robed woman wearing a blindfold to signify the impartiality of justice. A sculpture of the Scales of Justice fits in with any law office, symbolizing the fair weighing of both sides in a legal dispute. You can also have an engraved plate attached to either sculpture to personalize the gift.
Movies
The finest courtroom movies range from inspiring dramas to scathing indictments of the justice system. Robert Mulligan's 1962 adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird" features Gregory Peck in an inspirational performance as Atticus Finch, defending a young African-American man falsely accused of rape. Barbet Schroeder's "Reversal of Fortune" presents a detailed look at one of the 1980s most notable appellate trials, in which Alan Dershowitz fought to overturn Claus von Bulow's conviction for attempted murder of his wife Sunny. Norman Jewison's "And Justice for All" is a scathing legal satire that climaxes with an incendiary courtroom monologue from Al Pacino.
Personal Organizers
Personal organizers and portfolios are practical gifts that help make a professional impression. Notebook-sized padfolios come with pockets for business cards and briefs along with binders and notepads. Leather legal pad holders are attractive accessories for both the office and courtroom, and weatherproof document portfolios allow your attorney to organize case documents and protect them from the elements on the way to the courthouse.
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