Pages: 304
Published by Ankerwycke on September 7, 2015
Genres: adult, Romance, contemporary
Source: Finished Copy from Publisher
*Harper's Bazaar Must-Read*
The Devil Wears Prada meets One L, BIGLAW provides an insider's view of the cut-throat world of big New York law firms.
Mackenzie Corbett has always dreamed of living in New York City. Now, almost two years into her job as an associate at a premier Manhattan law firm, she's living her fantasy--big salary, high profile deals, cute boyfriend, designer bag on her arm. The giant bags under her eyes from lack of sleep don't fit into the fantasy, though. To make matters worse, she's being tormented by a bitter, bitchy senior associate, her cute boyfriend is annoyed she never has time for him, and now she's stuck on the deal from hell with a partner whose biggest claim to fame is throwing a stapler at a cleaning lady because she touched his ficus plant.
With the opportunity to secure a prestigious secondment on line, the overachiever in her is determined to endure whatever it takes to close the biggest deal in the firm's history. But when Mackenzie finds herself the focus of a devastating investigation her dream job begins spiraling into a nightmare.
In this pitch perfect, frightening accurate novel, Lindsay Cameron throws back the curtain to this intriguing world exposing the truth about life in Biglaw.
BIGLAW is a hilarious book that will appeal to lawyers and non-lawyers alike. It reminded me a bit of Kate’s Escape from the Billable Hour by Petula Parker, and I liked this book for the same reason’s that I loved Kate’s “Sanity Break”- it is freakin’ hilarious. and BIGLAW plays off of enough truth to make it even funnier. I am not from the BIGLAW world (I am much happier at my smaller boutique firm), but I did spend a summer at BIGLAW so I certainly know a lot of the inns and outs, and some of my peers have filled in the rest of associate life for me. And Mackenzie works in a New York firm in the Corporate Law department, which can be extra demanding.
BIGLAW is told from female associate, Makenzie’s point of view. Mackenzie is a super bright, super hard working attorney that is doing just about everything to impress the partners at her firm. She has to if she wants to move up in the ranks, after all. When she was describing all of the “perks” that the office has to make life comfortable I couldn’t help but snicker. They all but stick a sign on your office door saying YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE. I think some of the details are exaggerated for the effect of the story, but many of the details ring true to some degree.
BIGLAW will have you cringing, laughing and sympathizing right along side with Mackenzie. I think as an attorney I got an extra kick out of this story, but Lindsay Cameron has a real gift for comedic writing. Readers, no matter their profession, will find BIGLAW enjoyable. I went through the gamut of emotions as I put myself in Mackenzie’s shoes. I rejoiced when she got very rare “good job”, I seethed whenever she has to deal with a few choice people, and I wanted her tell off a partner or two on more occasions than I care to count. While I do think that Attorney’s will derive a little more humor and a little more sick satisfaction out of BIGLAW, this is a book that I would recommend to everyone looking to feel a little bit better about their job. Or looking for a good laugh in a book with smart and witty dialogue.
P.S. I thought it was hilarious that Mackenzie didn’t think her boyfriend would understand the stress and pressures of her job as well as her, because even though he is an attorney at the same firm as her, he works in the Trust department which is not as high pressure as the corporate department. I guess that means I made a good choice as a Trust and Estate Planning attorney. 😉
Jodie @ Words Read & Written
Loving that cover!
kindlemom1
This does sound like it was a fun read and yay for making the right choice in where to practice LOL! I love it!
Great review Michelle!
Sui Generis
This one looks fun to read! I’ll be keeping an eye on this book and remind myself I should read tgis one of these days.
Olivia Roach
The cover and title of this book made me need to know what it was about. I love it when a fiction book gives a realistic portal into what one kind of career would be like. I think it would be interesting to see that of the law career as well. I am glad it adds humor too!