This is a Grisham legal shenanigans story I hadn't read previously. The social justice plot was a well-done aspect, though parts of the narrative dragged in places. The MC (Michael Brock) had too many injuries to really recover as rapidly as depicted, which derailed credibility to some extent.

Despite that 'niggle', the story was engaging and the characterizations were strong, especially Mordecai Green and some of the high-powered, corporate lawyers. The suspense was mild and doesn't ramp up the tension unbearably. A quick read that was worth the time spent in this Washington-DC milieu. ( )

As always John Grisham entertains with this thriller. I really enjoyed this book and I think it appears as if Grisham himself seemed quite disturbed by the plight of the homeless. Corruption of the law and justice play a big part in the book and which appears to continue to this day….. ( )

solid Grisham work, with a minimum of courtroom drama. Good insight into what "street lawyers" do...and depressing to read about the homeless and their sad existence. ( )

I found it to be intriguing from the very start. I could hardly put the book down wanting to know what was going to happen. Good read. ( )

Grisham, John. The Street Lawyer. 1998. Bantam, 2005.
John Grisham is well-known for writing legal thrillers that highlight problems in our justice system and the legal profession. The Street Lawyer is a good example of what he can do. Michael is a fast-tracked lawyer in a big D.C. law firm. When a homeless man invades the firm’s offices and humiliates the lawyers for not helping the poor and homeless, Michael is drawn into an investigation of unfair evictions. His traumatic experience leads him to quit his job and go to work for a street law firm specializing in pro bono work for the homeless. The story illustrates how poorly our justice system protects the rights of the homeless. The system is geared toward helping those who pay for legal help, not those who can’t. The book makes us respect those who fight the uphill battle to protect the rights of the homeless and validate their worth as human beings. Note: The Street Lawyer should not be confused with Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer (2005), which is set in Los Angeles and features a lawyer who works out of his car and defends drug dealers and gangsters. Both are readable, though Connelly is more focused on action than the legal issues. 4 stars. ( )