Summary of Joel P. Trachtman's The Tools of Argument

Book excerpt: Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The difference between lawyers and the rest of us is not a gene that makes some people more argumentative, precise, or abrasive than others. The distinctive professional characteristic of lawyers is a method of thinking and argument that has several components. #2 The definition of law is the following: formal rules that carry the sanction of the state. This definition is good for understanding legal argument, but it does not explain all law. For example, religious law can carry the sanction of the state, while the rules of EBay or the NBA do not. #3 Law is a central tool and structure of the state. It is important for you to know your rights against harm to your person, property, or organization, and to be able to advocate for yourself in these regards. #4 A lawyer is an expert. The expertise that the lawyer wields is twofold. First, it includes knowledge of how the legal system works, including how all the written and unwritten procedural rules apply to guide the determination and application of the law.