Publications | Book
Operation Greylord: The True Story of an Untrained Undercover Agent and America's Biggest Corruption Bust
Leaning on the Arc: A Personal History of Criminal Defense is a memoir by renowned trial lawyer Gerry Schwartzbach, who is perhaps best known for defending actor Robert Blake against charges that the actor had murdered his wife.
Log In to view your rate
Unlock the discounted member rate
Join first as a member, and then purchase this product at special member pricing
Leaning on the Arc: A Personal History of Criminal Defense is the story of what can happen to people when they are objectified—and how the law can stop it—told over the span of twelve key cases in the illustrious career of renowned criminal defense attorney M. Gerald Schwartzbach.
Part memoir, part case history, Gerald “Gerry” Schwartzbach demonstrates why and how true justice can only happen when we refuse to objectify the defendant—whether it be Hollywood legend Robert Blake, civil rights activist Stephen Bingham, or Hootan Roozrokh, the youngest transplant surgeon in the United States—regardless of his or her alleged crime.
Leaning on the Arc is also a primer for law students and lawyers starting their careers—at either the defense or prosecutor’s table. It is a firsthand, material, and applicable account of what it takes to practice criminal defense law at a high level, how it really works, what to watch out for, and how it all feels.
About the Author: M. Gerald Schwartzbach, a trial lawyer for more than 45 years, is a San Francisco Bay area criminal defense attorney who is listed in “Best Lawyers,” “Super Lawyers,” the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and the Marquis publications “Who’s Who in the World,” “Who’s Who in America,” and “Who’s Who in American Law.” He has received the Skip Glenn Award, presented for outstanding service in defense of a client by California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, a statewide organization of more than 2,000 criminal defense attorneys. Mr. Schwartabach has also been a recipient for the Outstanding Service Award by the Northern California Innocence Project. In addition, he was named Distinguished Advocate by the Advisory Board of the Heafey Center for Trial and Appellate Advocacy at Santa Clara University School of Law.
Praise for Leaning on the Arc: A Personal History of Criminal Defense
“Gerry Schwartzbach’s fascinating book is not only packed with great tales of injustice subverted by intelligence and passion, but it reminds us how the litany of prosecutorial injustices we read about daily, can be overthrown by the old industrial-age values of diligence, deep thought, and a burning commitment to justice. Though many of the cases in this book are about the famous, I met him when he was defending a penniless and unknown close friend of mine. I know a stand-up man when I see one, and you should read this book to gain an introduction.”
—Peter Coyote, Actor/Author
"This is the fascinating memoir of an excellent, highly accomplished, practical and idealistic criminal defense lawyer, as committed to his clients, the proper functioning of the criminal justice system and the rule of law as any lawyer could be. The lesson to be drawn is that thoughtful and the most thorough preparation is the key ingredient for success in the practice of law, regardless of one's specialty."
—Robert Helman, Partner, Mayer Brown LLP, Adjunct Professor University of Chicago Law School
Ankerwycke
9781634251372
224
1620701
6 x 9 Hardcover
3/16/2016 12:00:00 AM
Publications | Book
Operation Greylord: The True Story of an Untrained Undercover Agent and America's Biggest Corruption Bust
Publications | Book
The 116: The True Story of Abraham Lincoln's Lost Guard
Audio and Video | On-Demand CLE
Online Mediation: Five Years In
Audio and Video | On-Demand CLE
A Quick Primer on Defeating Daubert Challenges [CC]
Audio and Video | On-Demand CLE
How to Avoid Holiday Scams and What to Do If You or Your Client Falls Victim [CC]
Apr
04
Events | In-Person
2025 ABA Public Defense Summit
CLE 60 min
Public defenders are increasingly being asked to do more with less. Offices face staff turnover and reduced budgets, despite new and emerging responsibilities. The changing political climate will pre…
Mar
25
Events | Webinar
The Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine in Internal Investigations
CLE 60 min
This program will examine the attorney-client privilege and work product immunity in the context of internal investigations in a practical fashion that will be useful to both outside lawyers and in-h…
Mar
20
Events | Webinar
Empowering and Protecting Women Attorneys on Social Media
Join communication and legal experts as they explore the impact of sexism and misogyny on social media, strategies for women attorneys to protect and empower themselves and their clients, and the dis…