The Common Law Tradition

Karl Llewellyn, a legal realist whose views on jurisprudence were influential and sometimes controversial, was also one of the leading teachers of fundamental legal thought. He took seriously the functions of courts, the use of precedent, and the power of rules. In this important book, he laid bare these jurisprudential tools, in support of appellate court thinking at all levels in the legal system. Legal analysis is so clearly picked apart that this work has served as a tool-kit for judicial thinking - and persuasive argument to courts - since it was first published in 1960. And his invaluable appendices show in detail how arguments and judicial expressions can be turned around to the advocate's advantage. This book is the culmination of a lifetime of analysis of legal thought from one of the legal system's most important legends. The new reprint edition from Quid Pro Books adds a 2015 Foreword by Tulane law professor Steven Alan Childress. It embeds the original pagination, to promote continuity of referencing and citation of this foundational work. A compelling addition to the Legal Legends Series from Quid Pro Books.