FREE ESSAY ON STREET LAWYER

STREET LAWYER

The most common tale we hear of lawyers today is one of fast-rising, high-billing,
no-feeling type of lawyers. Most people overlook the lawyers that do pro-bono work. (That
is work for free for the charity of those who can't afford it.) Michael Brock started off
as another lawyer who was on the fast track to partnership in a large firm with big
billing habits. One day his life was changed forever after being held hostage by and
seeing the death of a homeless man who was evicted by his firm. He made the drastic
change to being a pro-bono lawyer and left behind one million dollars a year (not to
mention a wife and an expensive apartment) for thirty thousand dollars a year. John
Grisham tells the story of this man in his novel The Street Lawyer. 
Grisham has been a long-time favorite author for those interested in court room drama. He
changed his style completely for The Street Lawyer to focus on morality and values rather
than success stories of rich, young, law students. This novel still appeals to anyone who
enjoys Grisham but has also added to his audience the soft at heart. He relates to all
Americans who are after success. Grisham believes that in the beginning, most people want
to help others. This is why he thinks most endure the long, hard hours of law or medical
school and training. The money is just a bonus. By the time one graduates, money has
taken over their thoughts and he or she cares little for the client or patient. This is a
bold assumption, but one that Grisham makes often. He has experienced this himself as he
endured law school. The novel is both morally convicting and makes one think of others.
Grisham seems to be saying thank you to all the people who care for the less fortunate.
Thank you to those, like Michael Brock, who experience both worlds but give up the money,
give up the power, and live for what they know is right and just. It tells of the lives
of those who work in the trenches and forget about the money and face and endure hardship
to help others. Mordecai Green in the novel represents these people well as he defends
the homeless. For the real Mordecai Greens in the world, the novel is a quiet tribute for
your work in the trenches. These words come from Grisham himself. 
Though The Street Lawyer does not follow the suspense-filled style of most of Grisham's
work, it sheds a light on all those who work for the good of mankind. Grisham produces
characters that should be role models for all Americans. Even though they are not rich,
famous, or beautiful, without the Merdecai Greens and Michael Brocks, our world would be
a place with more hate and anger than is imaginable. The novel has had a great impact on
me and I believe it will also have a great impact on anyone who reads it.