Scott Turow

Born and raised in Chicago, Scott Turow must be considered one of the major US writers. Furthermore he may almost be called an amateur meaning that despite being very successful Turow continues to have a full time prominent job in law. Always wanting to be a writer he got a Bachelor's Degree in English in 1970 and won a fellowship at Stanford University in creative writing. However, despite having short stories published in literary magazines, his first novel, The Way Things Are, was rejected 25 times, thus mining doubts on his ability as a writer. Being increasingly interested in law he entered Harvard Law School in 1975. But he continued to write. Turow got a contract for a personal account of his first year there that developed two years later into One L: An Inside Account of Life in the First Year at Harvard Law School. After his degree in 1978 he joined Chicago's Attorney Office where he got a first hand insight in bribery as he was involved in a number of trials concerning judicial corruption in the city's courts. In his spare time he continued to write his novel and following a three-month break to finish it, just before joining the Chicago firm of Sonnenschein, Carlin, Nath and Rosenthal as partner, he handed the manuscript to his agent. Presumed Innocent, winner of the Silver Dagger in 1987, was a major success making Turow into what he had always wanted to be: a writer. The book was followed by other successes all centered on the legal world. In 1995 he won a reversal in a murder conviction of a man who had spent 11 years in prison, most of them on death row - another person had confessed. He continues to work in the firm but has established a schedule that allows him to write in the mornings. He is married and has three children.

ONE L

Becoming a first-year law student - a "One L" - at the oldest, most esteemed law school in the U. S. threw Scott Turow into a physical, emotional, and intellectual combat zone. An ultimate test by fire of his honesty and principles, in a time of hazings, betrayals, challenges and triumphs - a law school primer.

PRESUMED INNOCENT

Rusty Sabich is chief deputy prosecuting attorney in a large mid-western city. His boss is in the midst of a bitter campaign for re-election. A fellow prosecuting attorney, Carolyn Polhemus, has been brutally murdered. Rusty is handling the investigation - and he needs results. Before election day. Before his illicit affair with Carolyn is uncovered. Election day brings a new prosecuting attorney into office. A political enemy who wants Rusty out. man whose own secret investigation has revealed Rusty's relationship with Carolyn. A man who takes Rusty off the case - and charges him with murder. Rusty now faces a long battle in court. Each side will twist the evidence to win its case, and try any procedural ploy, any courtroom trick that might ensure victory. Rusty's ordeal will uncover corruption, deceit, depravity and incompetence - and keep you spellbound. Who did kill Carolyn Polhemus?

THE BURDEN OF PROOF

Alejandro "Sandy" Stern - the brilliant defense lawyer from Presumed Innocent - comes home to discover that his wife of 30 years has committed suicide, leaving behind a web of mystery, money and guilt. While Stern hunts for answers, he is caught up in the threatened Federal prosecution of his most powerful and troublesome client - his own brother-in-law. Now, after a life of success, Sandy Stern is a man in desperate need of many truths - about his family, his uncertain future and the troubled legacy his wife left behind.

Pleading Guilty

Gage & Griswell is a large law firm with an even larger problem: $5.6 million has suddenly vanished from the coffers of its largest client. And the finger of suspicion is pointing directly at G & G's maverick partner, Bert Kamin. He too has gone missing. Mack Malloy, fellow partner, ex-cop and struggling ex-drunk, is charged with finding both Bert and the money - quickly, discreetly and before questions are asked. But questions have already been asked: ones that lead Mack to a cold corpse, to Latin American bank accounts, to a tale of love, corruption and sexual ambivalence, and to Mack's own complex past.

THE LAWS OF OUR FATHERS

In Kindle County, a woman is killed in an apparent random drive-by shooting. The woman turns out to be the ex-wife of a prominent state senator and an old acquaintance of Judge Sonia Klonsky, on whose desk the case lands. As the pursuit of justice takes bizarre and unusual turns, Judge Klonsky is brought face-to-face with a host of extraordinary personalities and formidable enemies bent on her destruction.

PERSONAL INJURIES

Robbie Feaver (pronounced "favor") is a charismatic personal injury lawyer with a high profile practice, a way with the ladies, and a beautiful wife (whom he loves), who is dying of an irreversible illness. He also has a secret bank account where he occasionally deposits funds that make their way into the pockets of the judges who decide Robbie's cases. Robbie is caught by the Feds, and, in exchange for leniency, agrees to "wear a wire" as he continues to try to fix decisions. The FBI agent assigned to supervise him goes by the alias of Evon Miller. She is lonely, uncomfortable in her skin, and impervious to Robbie's charms. And she carries secrets of her own. As the law tightens its net, Robbie's and Evon's stories converge thrillingly.