Black's Law Dictionary

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and helpful, though now expensively obsolete
Review: Before I purchased this dictionary I read reviews that said it was overkill, that I would never use it, and even one that said to get a Webster's instead (!), but in my first semester I have learned to love it.
I used the typical 1L approach and shotgunned my dictionaries so I had the pocket version in my backpack and this one at home, and I would say that at least weekly-no exaggeration here-I would find a term from my reading that was not in the pocket version and was in this full version. That is definitely reason enough to me to warrant purchasing this dictionary.
But, as I alluded to in the subject, a new edition has come now, but I assume that all the archaic Latin and French terms you need this book for probably haven't changed in the last 3 years, so this one's probably ok. Having said that, my sister's getting the brand new ridiculously expensive deluxe for Christmas. Cheers.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific...Even for the Non-Lawyer
Review: A professional who works with attorneys and needs to understand certain legal concepts and terminology, I have found "Black's Law Dictionary" a most useful tool. It defines legal terms in such a clear and concise way that I don't need legal dictionaries designed for the "layman." Whenever I want to understand a new legal term, I pick up this book and acquire a basic understanding within just a minute or so.

Most attorneys already have familiarity with this book. I highly recommend "Black's Law Dictionary" to the layman.

Rating:
Summary: if you've got a webster's dictionary, don't bother with this
Review: almost everything in this crappy dictionary is in webster's, and webster's does a much better job with the definitions. i bought this dictionary right before starting my first year of law school, now i'm about to graduate and i've used it maybe 5 times tops. definitely not worth buying.

Rating:
Summary: if you've got a webster's dictionary, don't bother with this
Review: almost everything in this crappy dictionary is in webster's, and webster's does a much better job with the definitions. i bought this dictionary right before starting my first year of law school, now i'm about to graduate and i've used it maybe 5 times tops. definitely not worth buying.

Rating:
Summary: Do you need the Hardcover edtion?
Review: As a beginning law student, I've heard over and over again about how Black's is virtually a required book for all law students (and rightfully so). I ran out this summer and bought the hardcover book. As school is now underway, I've had to buy the paperback as well. I'm not lugging that huge book to class everyday! Just a tip so that you don't invest as much $$ as I have in one book :-)

Rating:
Summary: A Great Editing Tool
Review: As a long-time medical editor who felt herself something of an expert, it was a shock to enter the very different world of legal editing and be confronted with terms that look misspelled but may not be; case citations presented in a myriad of ways; Latin phrases that are familiar but not enough to comfortably edit legal articles; and so forth.

I bought the paperback version of Black's, and it became my editing bible overnight. Having read the reviews written by law students and attorneys, I bow to their judgment of this book. But I am neither, and I need a tool I can use quickly and well. For me, this book is truly a godsend. The definitions are clear, concise, and enough to let me know whether the copy I am reading has cited a case clearly, or whether I have to query the author. And that's only one of many examples.

As far as I am concerned, this is a five-star reference book, one that I am glad to have in my editing library.

Rating:
Summary: A bible for non common law lawyers
Review: As a non common law lawyer that has to make translations of common law contracts and draws, this is the most valuable tool you may have to do the job right, and to understand the similarities and differences between law systems. Is really the first book a bilingual lawyer should have.

Rating:
Summary: Ideal for starting a study of law...
Review: As mentioned in an earlier review, the pocket version of Black's Law Dictionary is ideal for the beginning law student, such as myself. While not as thorough as the unabridged version, it is much more convenient to carry around for one. Second, the concise definitions are ideal for getting the gist of a legal definition. I have found that many of the cases studied in first year classes are seventy to one-hundred-and-fifty years old. As a result, many legal terms used in those cases are a bit outdated. Enter the pocket dictionary, which does an admirable job of giving a concise clear defintion, just right for understanding the term used in the case.

As the semester has rolled along, I have found that I am using the dictionary less, which is natural I suppose since I am becoming more familiar with the language of law. I still keep it handy as a refresher. While the internet does offer many valuable resources for defining legal terms, the pocket dictionary is still a valuable resource for use on a plane, on the bus, or when the internet isn't available in class.

If you are planning on studying law, I would recommend picking up a copy of the pocket version of Black's Law Dictionary.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference work
Review: As someone who is not an attorney (but who took law classes in college), I highly recommend having this book on hand as a general reference for those inevitable times when you will need to look up legal terms or get familiar with legal concepts. It's the "bible" of legal terminology. I find myself reading it once in a while, but often use it as a general reference. In the 10 years I've had this, I've used it about once every 3-4 months, and needed it every time.

Rating:
Summary: A must-have for every law student and new lawyer
Review: Being a first year law student is overwhelming - you've just bought $500 worth of required course books, and you're eyeing the shelves of expensive outline books wondering which you need. It's tempting to skip buying a $50 dictionary. Bad mistake. This is a must-have for every law student. Not only does it define words, but also refers you to resources (i.e. cases) for more information. Extremely valuable for writing papers, law review, etc. And don't go for the cheap $10 version - you want the full definition, with citations to cases.

The dictionary is equally valuable for first-year associates. Partner just gave you an assignment? Don't have a clue what he said? Whip out the law dictionary - it will point you in the right direction.