All lawyers arguably share one trait: they read a lot.
Of course, not all reading material must be work-related. Successful legal practitioners and candidate attorneys should always strive to improve all aspects of their lives, and reading diverse subject matter is one of the most effective ways to learn a little about a lot.
Every legal practitioner’s bookcase should ideally reflect foundational legal theory and stories about the realities of their local justice system. However, non-academic books also come into play.
We recently asked Gawie le Roux Institute of Law alumni and lecturers which books made a lasting impact on them.
Here are their top recommendations.
Man's Search for Meaning
“Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl has no academic relevance to the legal profession; however, this profession is demanding, often thankless, and there will be periods where the weight of it is difficult to carry.
A central theme of the book is that hardship becomes bearable when connected to purpose, and that lesson translates into the legal profession more than one might expect. Knowing why you do what you do and holding onto that during the difficult seasons feels like as good a compass as any, regardless of where you are in your career.”
- Keegan Beaton, Gawie le Roux Institute of Law alum
Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office
“I highly recommend that every legal practitioner, particularly women, read Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel, PhD. It highlights the subtle habits and behaviours that often hold women back professionally.
The book teaches women how to advocate for themselves confidently, communicate with authority, set clear boundaries, and navigate spaces strategically without compromising or diminishing themselves.”
- Kazumi Sebonka, Gawie le Roux Institute of Law alum
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
“This book by Adam Grant challenges you to identify your own bias in decision-making and teaches you to account for various perspectives. It also teaches you how to unlock certain brain paths in your decision-making.
From a personal perspective, it has assisted greatly in understanding how my mind works, but also that everyone does not think the same as I do, and helped me a lot to meet people where they are at in their train of thought.”
- Johan van Stade, Senior Lecturer
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“I recommend The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. A good read to learn to harness the skills needed to build better relationships with people and become a compelling leader."
- Riya Pillay, Gawie le Roux Institute of Law alum
Letters to a Law Student
"I recommend Letters to a Law Student by Nicholas J. McBride. It provides practical guidance on how to think like an attorney and approach legal problems effectively."
- Luandi Knuppe, Gawie le Roux Institute of Law alum
LAWSA and other bodies of work dealing with ethics in the legal profession
“While updating our notes, I came across Volume 26(4) of LAWSA, dealing with Ethics and Common Law.
After most provisions of the Legal Practice Act came into operation on 1 November 2018, the legal profession in South Africa became primarily regulated by the active provisions of the Act itself. It is also governed by regulations issued by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development under section 109(1) of the Act, rules created by the National Forum on the Legal Profession under section 109(3), the Code of Conduct developed by the South African Legal Practice Council, and various other Acts of Parliament dealing with certain legal practitioners or areas of legal practice.
In addition to these statutory rules, there is also an unwritten body of ethical and common-law principles that has developed over many years through decisions of South African courts and legal writings by respected authors.
Unfortunately, many of the most important texts on the subject are no longer in print, including works such as E. A. L. Lewis’s Legal Ethics: A Guide to Professional Conduct of South African Attorneys, Randell and Bax’s The South African Attorneys Handbook, and J.R. Midgley’s Lawyers’ Professional Liability.
These ethical and common-law principles did not fall away when the Legal Practice Act, its regulations, rules, and Code of Conduct came into effect. They remain valid and continue to apply to all practising members of the legal profession.
It is imperative that we continually remind ourselves that ethics is of fundamental importance in the legal profession. As legal practitioners, we occupy positions of trust and responsibility within society. Every day, clients place their rights, freedoms, property, and confidential information in our hands. The public, therefore, expects us to act with honesty, integrity, fairness, and professionalism at all times. This is the backdrop against which we should practice and hold one another accountable.”
- Erinda Frantzen, Senior Lecturer
Become Your Own Financial Advisor
“While there are many excellent traditional legal books focused on legal theory, advocacy, drafting, and courtroom practice, I think one of the biggest gaps in the professional development of candidate attorneys and young legal practitioners in South Africa is financial literacy and long-term financial planning.
The legal profession can be incredibly demanding, and many young practitioners enter practice with significant pressure, long working hours, uncertainty around income stability, student debt, and very little practical understanding of how to manage money, build wealth, or create financial security over time. Unfortunately, this often contributes to burnout, poor financial decisions, and professionals remaining trapped in cycles of financial stress despite being highly educated.
What makes Warren Ingram’s book particularly valuable is that it approaches financial freedom in a practical, realistic, and accessible way, specifically within the South African context.
It is not written in an overly technical or intimidating manner, and it focuses on sustainable financial habits, long-term thinking, investing, debt management, and financial independence in a way that is highly relevant to young professionals.
I think many legal practitioners spend years learning how to advise others while receiving very little guidance on how to build stable and healthy lives for themselves outside of practice. This book stands out because it addresses a very real but often overlooked aspect of professional success.”
- Theshaya Naidoo, Gawie le Roux Institute of Law alum
Legal thrillers
“To relax, I like reading fictional court dramas by writers such as John Grisham and Michael Connelly.”
- Marieta Vorster, Lecturer
Conclusion
This list isn’t exhaustive and reflects the personal preferences of those who recommended them.
The Gawie le Roux Institute of Law offers practical training and exam preparation that turns legal principles into clear, tangible resources.
Last updated on 8 June 2026.