"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one."
— George R.R. Martin
You, dear lawyer, probably don’t have time for a thousand lives. You barely have time for lunch. But a well-picked book is like sneaking in extra lives between depositions, deal negotiations, and wondering if this is the email that finally makes you quit corporate law for a quiet life on a vineyard.
Law isn’t just about legalese and courtrooms. It’s about power, persuasion, risk, resilience, and sometimes, just surviving the insanity with your sanity intact. The best lawyers don’t just know the law. They know people, strategy, business, technology, and—most importantly—themselves.
So we put together a reading list that covers exactly what you need to sharpen your legal mind, future-proof your career, and maybe even enjoy life outside of work. Think of these books as your personal advisory board—but with less billing and more wisdom.
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Check out our latest podcast episode on some of the most recommended books by in-house lawyers for in-house lawyers. Or watch the video here.
Books on leadership and business strategy
You know the law, but do you know power? Strategy? How to manage a room full of high-powered, opinionated professionals who’d rather debate than take orders? These books? Absolute must-reads.
#1 Leading Professionals: Power, Politics, and Prima Donnas by Laura Empson
Why you need it: Your law firm or legal team is actually a tangled mess of egos, alliances, and unspoken rules. This book is your backstage pass to how real leadership works in high-stakes professional environments—where power isn’t given, it’s carefully maneuvered.
Key takeaway: Leadership in legal isn’t about being the boss. It’s about influence, trust, and knowing how to get people to do what needs to be done without them realizing they’ve been nudged in the right direction. If you’ve ever wondered how the most successful legal leaders keep their teams in line without breaking spirits, this book has answers.
Quote that hits hard: “A leader’s power in professional firms lies not in formal authority but in their ability to win trust and build consensus.”
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon
#2 Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility by Patty McCord
Why you need it: Patty McCord built Netflix’s famous “no rules” work culture—the one that made employees feel like grown-ups, empowered them to do their best work, and terrified traditional HR departments. If you lead legal teams, you need this book. Because your people don’t just want rules—they want ownership, autonomy, and trust.
Why legal should pay attention: Legal work is about structure, compliance, and reducing risk—but that doesn’t mean micromanaging every contract review like an overbearing sitcom parent. McCord’s philosophy is about giving teams freedom and accountability. That’s exactly how you build a legal team that’s not just efficient, but actually loved by the business.
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon | Listen on Audible
The same way McCord says companies should ditch outdated policies in favor of real trust, SpotDraft lets legal teams ditch the admin chaos. We help automate workflows so you can focus on strategy, not spreadsheets.
#3 Quench Your Own Thirst: Business Lessons Learned Over a Beer by Jim Koch
Why you need it: This one’s for the legal professionals who secretly dream of ditching the suits and doing something wild—like starting a brewery (or, you know, just not drowning in redlines forever). Jim Koch turned a passion for beer into a billion-dollar business. His secret was calculated risk-taking. Sound familiar? Because that’s what you do every time you make a high-stakes legal call.
Key takeaway: Whether you’re leading a legal team or thinking about your next career move, Koch’s story is a masterclass in trusting your gut, taking strategic risks, and sticking to your principles—even when everyone tells you you’re nuts.
Quote to remember: “Success is not about avoiding failure; it’s about learning from it and adapting to what comes next.”
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon | Listen on Audible
Also read: How to scale legal teams
Books focusing on tech, privacy, and AI
Look, tech isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s rewriting the legal playbook. AI is making decisions, data privacy is a minefield, and companies are racing to keep up. If you’re still thinking “Eh, I’ll deal with it later,” congrats, you’re already behind. These books will fix that.
#1 The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford
Why you need it: Yes, it’s a novel. No, it’s not about lawyers. But don’t let that fool you—this book is a game-changer for anyone working with fast-moving tech companies. It’s all about breaking down silos, streamlining processes, and making sure teams aren’t running around like headless chickens when things go wrong. Sound familiar? That’s because legal teams could use this level of operational wisdom.
Key takeaway: If you work with tech clients or startups, understanding how they think about efficiency, collaboration, and problem-solving will make you a better advisor. Bonus: It’ll also help you clean up the mess that happens when contracts get stuck in legal bottlenecks.
Quote that hits home: “Improving daily work is even more important than doing daily work.”
How to apply it: Legal ops, pay attention. Use these principles to fix slow contract review processes, reduce turnaround times, and get legal working with the business instead of being the department of no.
Read about the authors: Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford | Buy on Amazon | Listen on Audible
Psst! At SpotDraft, we already help legal teams do exactly this by automating the stuff you don’t have time for.
Book a demo
#2 The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman
Why you need it: AI isn’t just changing the world—it’s rewriting the rules. Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind, lays out exactly how AI, automation, and other disruptive tech are reshaping industries, economies, and society itself. If you’re in legal, this book is your cheat sheet for staying ahead of the curve instead of scrambling to keep up.
Key takeaway: This is your wake-up call. AI isn’t just another compliance headache—it’s a massive opportunity and a potential risk. As legal professionals, you need to understand not just what AI can do, but what it should do. Because guess what? The laws are still playing catch-up.
Quote that makes you think: “Every technology is a lever. It magnifies human intent—both good and bad.”
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon | Listen on Audible
AI is already changing how legal teams work. That’s why we built VerifAI—our AI-powered contract review tool that flags compliance risks before they become problems. If AI is going to run the world, you might as well use it to make your life easier.
#3 Privacy is Hard and Seven Myths by Jacques Henk
Why you need it: Everyone thinks they understand privacy law—until they don’t. This book unpacks the biggest myths about data privacy, breaks down real-world cases of privacy failures, and teaches you how to avoid becoming the next cautionary tale.
Key takeaway: If you’re working with sensitive data (spoiler: you are), privacy needs to be built into everything. It’s not just a legal requirement—it’s an operational necessity.
Quote that should be framed in every office: “Privacy is not just a right—it’s a responsibility that organizations must design for.”
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon
Also read: How Generative AI is Transforming the Legal Tech Landscape
Books on personal growth and career advice
Being a lawyer is intense. Long hours, high stakes, and the kind of pressure that makes most people run for the hills. But grinding 24/7? That’s not the flex you think it is. The smartest legal professionals know that personal growth fuels career growth. These books will help you work smarter, avoid burnout, and actually enjoy the ride.
#1 The Practice of Groundedness by Brad Stulberg
Why you need it: If you’re addicted to the “win at all costs” mentality, this book is your intervention. Stulberg breaks down why chasing promotions, titles, and non-stop hustle without balance leads straight to exhaustion. Instead, he lays out a game plan for sustainable success—one that won’t make you question all your life choices at 2 AM.
Key takeaway: The legal world runs on prestige—big names, big wins, big deals. But tying your happiness to external validation? Recipe for burnout. Stulberg shows how focusing on purpose over accolades will keep you thriving long-term.
Quote that’ll make you rethink everything: "True success isn’t about more—it’s about better. It’s about finding meaning and purpose in what you do every day."
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon | Listen on Audible
#2 The Right It by Alberto Savoia
Why you need it: Think of this as The Lean Startup but for everything, including legal. Savoia dives into how to test, tweak, and perfect ideas before investing too much time, money, or reputation. For lawyers, this translates into building strategies that actually work—whether it’s risk assessment, contract structuring, or scaling a legal department.
Key takeaway: Stop assuming you know what’s right—test, iterate, and adjust. Whether you’re advising a startup, negotiating a deal, or shaping your own career, Savoia’s framework helps you avoid going all-in on a bad bet.
Quote to live by: “Don’t fall in love with your idea. Fall in love with the problem—and the best solution will emerge.”
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon | Listen on Audible
Also read: How Can General Counsel Earn a Seat on the Board?
Books on classics and philosophy for perspective
Law isn’t just about rules, contracts, and case law—it’s about people. And people are unpredictable, emotional, and messy. To navigate the chaos of legal practice, you need more than just sharp arguments—you need perspective, resilience, and the ability to stay calm when everything around you is on fire. These books have got you covered.
#1 The Enchiridion by Epictetus
Why you need it: Ever had a deal fall apart at the last minute? A judge tear apart your argument? A client panic because they read one bad article online? Welcome to being a lawyer. The Enchiridion (which literally means Handbook) is the Stoic survival guide for keeping your cool when things don’t go your way. Epictetus doesn’t just preach philosophy—he lays out a framework for emotional control, resilience, and strategic thinking.
Key takeaway: You can’t control what happens, but you can control how you respond. This book teaches you how to focus on what’s within your power and let go of the rest—something every lawyer needs to hear at least once a week.
Quote to memorize: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon | Listen on Audible
#2 How to Talk Dirty and Influence People by Lenny Bruce
Why you need it: This is not your typical legal read, but that’s exactly why it belongs on this list. Lenny Bruce was a comedian, yes, but he was also a man who took on the legal system, fought for free speech, and redefined censorship laws in America. His autobiography is part comedy, part legal drama, and all about how the law doesn’t just enforce norms—it creates them.
Key takeaway: The law isn’t just about writing contracts and defending clients—it’s about shaping culture. Bruce’s story will remind you that legal battles aren’t always fought in courtrooms; sometimes, they’re fought on stage, in the media, and in the public eye.
Quote that sticks: “In the Halls of Justice, the only justice is in the halls.”
Read about the author | Buy on Amazon | Listen on Audible
Also read: Elevate Your Legal Career
Read like your career depends on it—because it does
Look, you could keep doing what you’re doing—drafting contracts, surviving impossible deadlines, and hoping that your legal skills alone will future-proof your career. Or, you could read smarter. Because the best lawyers are strategic thinkers, business leaders, and people who understand the world beyond case law and compliance clauses.
The books listed in this post are tools that will teach you how to lead, how to navigate AI and privacy laws before they catch you off guard, how to think like an entrepreneur, and how to survive the stress that comes with being everyone’s go-to problem solver.
So, read. Steal wisdom from the best minds. And while you’re at it, maybe rethink what success looks like for you. Because the best legal careers aren’t just built on knowing the law. They’re built on knowing how to play the long game.
Now go get reading. Your future lawyer self will thank you.
But if you want even more insights from the best legal minds out there, head over to Counsel Corner. It’s your go-to hub for wisdom, war stories, and strategies from top GCs, CLOs, and legal leaders who’ve been in the trenches.
