The Defense Is Ready: Life in the Trenches of Criminal Law

By: Leslie Abramson

Narrated by: Leslie Abramson

In The Defense is Ready, Leslie Abramson, the brilliant and outspoken defense attorney, takes you inside today's courtroom for a stunning firsthand account of how the courage and timidity, wisdom and folly, selflessness and venality of real lawyers, judges, victims and defendants are interwoven into the complex fabric of our often frustrating criminal justice system.

After graduating form UCLA Law School, Abramsom as a young single mother began her intense courtroom training and brilliant career on the front lines of the legal system in the Los Angeles Public Defender's office. Her journey from eager young law clerk to one of the nation's premier homicide attorneys involved some of the most difficult and notorious criminal cases of the last two decades - most notably the series of disturbing and thought-provoking trials in which she undertook the defense of abused children ultimately driven to kill their tormentors. Most celebrated among these were the two death-penalty murder trials in which she represented Erik Menendez, who, along with his brother Lyle, killed his parents after years of sexual and emotional abuse.

A candid and daring memoir, The Defense Is Ready is a powerful argument for a fresh and humane view of our beleaguered criminal justice system.

Critic reviews

"Frank, street-smart...Abramson clearly relishes describing her courtroom tactics and behind-the-scenes maneuvers...a terrific introduction to criminal defense by a master practitioner." - Kirkus Reviews

Loved it

Leslie is brilliant. This was a great insight of her career and how the justice system ruined the lives of the Mendez brothers.

Gosh I hope she writes another book

This was such a pleasure. Not only did I get to learn more abt the Menendez case, but this powerful Libra lady made me feel like I was with a distinguished, funny, and wise friend the whole time. Her humor, her voice, her warmth, and extraordinary intelligence helped me to better understand the criminal Justice system (from her perspective).

I am sad however this was abridged. I could listen to this lady for hours. Not because I always agree with her, but because she’s a real, hard-boiled, nobody’s-fool New Yorker with impressive intelligence and an impressive heart.

Beautifully written and intriguing

It gives me insight into Leslie Abramson’s first few decades of her career and her early life. It’s awesome to see how she grew to become such a fierce and compassionate lawyer. All of her cases were beautifully told, and she added her own opinions throughout the story, which could be humorous sometimes. At the end of the book she talked about the Menendez case and what came afterward. I hope her audiobook could go on and on. It was a very enjoyable listening experience.

The Defense is Ready: A Mindless Defense Attorney

badlly written by flawed defense attorney

strange, boring and some dangerous ideas, waste of time

nothing new here

spent more time on strawberries and cream than in why the brothers killed their mother