A DC litigator is hired to defend his best friend, the former president of the US, against a murder charge. The former president has been accused of murdering his mistress.
Written by an experienced trial attorney, the courtroom scenes were exciting and felt like watching Law & Order. You can immediately tell the author has experience in the legal system. But overall, I found this book to be ok. The characters felt a little underdeveloped. I like legal thrillers but it's not a subgenre I typically reach for which probably impacted my enjoyment. The ending had my jaw on the floor though!
If you love legal thrillers, you'll enjoy this one! Thank you to Atria Books for the early copy!

3.5 stars - rounded up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two words: Legal thriller. Count me in immediately!

I must admit, before seeing so many positive reviews for this one from my GR friends I was a bit skeptical to read it - only because I was afraid it was gonna be a political thriller. They quickly erased all of my doubts. Don’t let the fact that it features a former US President dissuade you from picking this one up. Try to go in as blindly as possible - like I did.

A former US President is accused of killing his mistress and hires his best friend to defend him. That’s all you need to know!

I love courtroom drama. LOVE. The trial scenes here are so good! I tried and tried to figure out whodunit, but failed. The book starts off rather slowly, but about halfway when the trial begins - now that’s when the fun starts! The real surprise is that ending! Outstanding & shocking!

If you like legal thrillers, don’t miss this one. Can’t wait for his next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy to read and review.

Rob Jacobson has agreed to defend the former president of the United States, Jack Cutler, for the murder of his mistress. Her name was Amanda Harper and she was a junior lawyer and part of his staff. There is something to consider with Rob taking Cutler’s case. The two have been best friends for decades.

Rob will need at least one thing from Cutler now that he has decided to take the case. What Rob will need is complete and total honesty. The ability to defend Cutler will no doubt will be faced with countless obstacles. It is no secret that the former president had an affair with the victim. The fact that Rob at one time also had an affair with her makes things uncomfortable for him as he looks for ways to get Cutler off. Things are not looking good for Rob’s case, yet he is not one to give up.

The narrative unfolds through a dual timeline, incorporating flashbacks to provide context and background information. While the flashbacks were intriguing, the true heart of the story lies in the courtroom scenes where Rob presents his legal arguments and examines witnesses. These courtroom scenes are compelling and eye-opening, showcasing the author’s skill in crafting a gripping legal thriller.

This book marks a sensational debut for the author. While I’m not typically a fan of legal thrillers, this one has piqued my interest in the sub-genre. Not only does the story feature remarkable courtroom repartee, but it also delves into a sleazy backdrop of secrets involving questionable tastes in the bedroom. The ending is nothing short of spectacular, leaving this reader eager to discover more.

Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Wow!! This was stunning! My jaw is agape. What an excellent legal thriller with the murder mystery seeds sewn expertly throughout the story.

This is by far the best legal thriller I have read. It’s tragic that Lawrence Robbins was only able to publish one book before his passing. This was very well done and had me hooked. Thank you to @atria for the eARC and thank you to @simonaudio for the ALC through @librofm

The President’s Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins offers a solid debut legal thriller. If you can stand to read about a narcissistic womanizing ex-President accused of murder, this is the book for you. He convinces his longtime friend, a lawyer, to represent him. The author is a lawyer himself, and it shows. Good characterizations (of some extremely unlikable characters) with lots of twists and courtroom drama.

Enjoyed this one very much, another great suspense thriller from author Lawrence Robbins. Never disappoints, highly recommend

The President’s Lawyer is an exciting legal thriller in which the President of the U. S. Is accused of murder. His lawyer is a good friend who needs to prove the President’s innocence. This book held my interest and even surprised me with an unexpected twist.

“The President’s Lawyer” was uncomfortable to read during a political season. A creepy ex-president charged with murdering his young lover bullies his childhood best friend into defending him; the defender loved the same woman; and there’s a real mess all around. The big reveal is alarming, but so is the scenario of an ex-ex-president running an ultra right-wing network. This book left me feeling icky.

Lawrence Robbins' smashing debut novel, The President's Lawyer, is a twisty, first-class, stand-out, high-stakes legal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the jaw-dropping, shocking, and surprising plot twist that will leave you reeling.

With its unique blend of political intrigue, personal drama, and courtroom suspense, this novel is a must-read for fans of the legal genre.

A Washington, DC, litigator defends his best friend, the former President of the United States, against a murder charge. Could his oldest friend be capable of murder, or is something even more sinister at play?

About...

Rob Jacobson, one of DC's most powerful litigators, faces the case of a lifetime. His childhood best friend, Jack Cutler, the former President of the United States, has been accused of murdering his mistress, lawyer Amanda Harper, and dumping her body in Rock Creek Park. The legal intricacies of defending a former President against such a serious charge and the complex moral dilemmas Rob faces add a layer of intrigue and challenge to the case.

Rob and Jack have a shared history, having gone to school together in Brooklyn. However, their connection runs deeper than just friendship. It appears the two men have similar tastes in women, as well. Years ago, Rob dated the woman who would become Jack’s wife and the First Lady. More recently, Rob had a passionate affair with Amanda, an associate at Rob’s law firm, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the narrative.

Cutler is married to Jess Friedland Cutler, has two teenage children, and has a bad reputation for philandering. Jack is imperfect, with many past misdeeds, including infidelity, anger, and unconventional appetites. Plus, Rob has a past with Jack, complicating things and making him more doubtful. Jack had it all when they were growing up. Rob was not so lucky. Both had terrible fathers.

As Rob delves deeper into the case, he is haunted by the possibility that Jack might be guilty. The uncertainty surrounding Jack's innocence or guilt, coupled with his affair with Amanda, further complicates matters. What if the prosecutors discover this? Could it jeopardize the case and Rob's career? This uncertainty keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to uncover the truth.

There is a mountain of evidence, including DNA, against Jack, and there is an ongoing question of WHODUNIT, motive, and proof.

My thoughts...

The author's high-profile trial litigator background shines through in his clever, highly entertaining, stellar legal thriller debut, The President's Lawyer. His expertise, understanding, and knowledge of how a DC courtroom works and how a defense lawyer thinks are on display, making this a must-read for legal thriller fans.

Rob's internal struggle, torn between his loyalty to Jack and his duty as a lawyer, is a poignant exploration of the human condition, adding depth to the narrative.

One major positive highlight is that this is a dazzling, intense legal crime thriller (which I love) that is light on politics. Readers will be captivated by well-drawn characters, fast-paced action, and superb, first-rate courtroom scenes.

Jack's character shares some traits from our past presidents (you may recognize). You may see parallels between the events of the book and our current world today, even though (Robbins wrote before), which makes this gem even more surprising and highly entertaining. Readers may be reminded of the Washington, DC, Chandra Levy 2001 unsolved mystery case, which adds real-life intrigue.

I would love to see the scandalous THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYER played out on the big and small screens. It's an electrifying, twisty legal thriller that is well done, and I eagerly anticipate what comes next from the mega-talented Robbins!

Recs...

The novel is for fans of intelligent, top-notch legal thrillers and readers who enjoy John Grisham, Scott Turow, Robert Dugoni, and David Baldacci.

Thanks...

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy for an honest review.

blog review posted @
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@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Oct 8, 2024
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When the president is accused of murder, he calls of his friend and former colleague to be his lawyer -- but those relationships are far more complicated than they first seem. This is an engaging legal thriller. What it lacked in likable characters it made up for in propulsive-ness. This is a great one to pick up when you are in the mood to binge a scandalous courtroom drama.

This was just about everything I like in a legal thriller - fast-paced and authentic. You can tell this author is either a lawyer themselves or did an incredible amount of research for this -- it read very accurate to me. I thought I had it figured out, but was pleasantly surprised by the reveal at the end. I will definitely be picking up more from this author!

An entertaining, fast-paced legal thriller. The courtroom scenes are well done and I admit, I didn’t see the twist at the end. Nicely done for a debut.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun "Presumed Innocent" style legal thriller about a lawyer who helps defend his best friend from childhood (also the President) in the murder of the President's mistress.

1. The author clearly has a huge amount of litigation/trial experience and it showed (thus my comparison to Scott Turow, as both went to Harvard Law School).

2. The murder premise reminded me a little of the Chandra Levy case.

3. I enjoyed The President's Lawyer overall.

4. Should point out that it was a very testosterone heavy book with a truly weird ending. <spoiler> Like Turow in Presumed Innocent, I think Robbins was going for the shock ending, and I love that!

This story focuses on the death of a lawyer who did work for the president but now the evidence is pointing towards him.
If you like legal thriller you’ll like this .

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on October 8, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.

This was an engrossing legal thriller that I ate right up. You could easily tell that Robbins had done a great amount of research and had written a book that was so well done. Really enjoyed it.

The President's Lawyer is one of the most compelling reads I have encountered. While the book focuses on the death of a lawyer who at one time worked for the President of the United States, it also focuses on the likelihood, given the evidence, that the President committed that crime.
Much of the book focuses on the exciting criminal trial of the President and the interplay of those who knew him, loved him, hated him, represented him and prosecuted him. I confess that the book kept me guessing in its entirety. At times, I felt certain that I knew what the outcome would be and at other times, I recognized how little I knew.
Could not put the book down, enjoyed the characters, the story line and the many twists and turns!

You can 100% tell that the author is not only passionate but extremely knowledgeable about what they are writing - which I absolutely love.

This is my first legal thriller and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves legal thrillers. I fear they are not for me, but now I know. Although I don’t love legal thrillers, that doesn’t take away from how great the book was.

All of that aside, the book is written very well. The scenes were so realistic and the twists and turns kept me engaged. The end was not at all what I expected, and I’m normally pretty good at predicting. All in all, would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a legal thriller or anyone who has yet to experience one!

Atria eARC
I love a good legal thriller, and this one delivered. I was fully into it right in the beginning because I was getting some Scandal vibes. I think the author really shined in multiple places and one was the flashback parts of the book. They were used to develop the story and weren't overdone. I think this balance is hard to get sometimes, and I applaud his work here. I also loved the courtroom scenes. They were can't look away from moments, and he just knew how to leave the perfect amount of breadcrumbs to leave me wondering what exactly was going on here. I enjoyed this story a lot and will look forward to more from this author again.

This was a very good book for a debut author, it was intriguing, though I found the setup took a while but it certainly gave a good background on the characters motives. Robbie and Jack are close friends, went to school together, Jack stole Robbie's girlfriends (two at least) and married one, whom he is still married to when he is accused of murdering his mistress, Amanda, who also happened to be pregnant. Jack is the former President of the USA, not long out of office and asks Robbie to defend him against the murder charge, Robbie comes up with several valid reasons why he shouldn't but Jack will hear none of it and with the help of his second Jane, they setout to defend the seemingly undefendable. Jack doesn't want to air his sexual deviances to the public, doesn't want to even discuss them (he likes rough sex, though so did she) but that he has to is unavoidable. Robbie does a commendable job of defusing the Prosecutor's case, putting out details before they can, though the Prosecutor still brings up some zingers that cause angst for the defense. The story is told mostly from Robbie's perspective, interspersed with some dialogue between a psychiatrist and a person, who that person is you don't find out until the ending, I did not guess who the bad guy was. Overall a good book for a debut, I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Atria Books for the ARC.