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.

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.

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.

Challenging / Informative / Emotional / Dark / Heartwarming

John Grisham

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Street Lawyer and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Street Lawyer Summary

Background

The Street Lawyer Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-8

The Street Lawyer Chapters 1-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-17

The Street Lawyer Chapters 9-17 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 18-25

The Street Lawyer Chapters 18-25 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 26-32

The Street Lawyer Chapters 26-32 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 33-39

The Street Lawyer Chapters 33-39 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Street Lawyer Character Analysis

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Themes

The Street Lawyer Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Street Lawyer Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

The Street Lawyer Literary Devices

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Important Quotes

The Street Lawyer Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Street Lawyer Essay Topics

The Street Lawyer

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Who Should Read The Street Lawyer?

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Book Details