69 pages • 2 hours read
John GrishamThe Street Lawyer
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Set in 1990s Washington, DC, John Grisham’s The Street Lawyer follows Michael Brock, a successful antitrust lawyer, who reevaluates his career and life after a homeless man, DeVon Hardy, holds him and his colleagues hostage. Michael leaves his high-paying job to join the 14th Street Legal Clinic, uncovering his former firm's corrupt involvement in illegal evictions and ultimately fighting for justice alongside his new mentor, Mordecai Green. Topics addressed include homelessness and systemic injustice.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Street Lawyer by John Grisham offers a compassionate, engaging narrative exploring homelessness and legal ethics. While some readers appreciate its social message and strong character development, others feel the plot lacks the usual suspense associated with Grisham's work. The book is praised for raising awareness but criticized for a slower pace.
Who Should Read The Street Lawyer?
Readers who enjoy legal dramas with a social justice bent, such as John Grisham’s The Street Lawyer, will likely be captivated by the book’s focus on homelessness and ethical dilemmas. Comparable titles include Grisham’s A Time to Kill and Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer, appealing to fans of engaging, morally complex legal stories.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
520LBook Details
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Crime / Legal
Society: Community
Society: Class
Identity: Race