Business Basics for Lawyers - 1st Edition - Brian Sawers

Business Basics for Lawyers 1st Edition Brian Sawers

ISBN: 9798317709839

This book introduces students of law and public policy to the financial and economic concepts that frequently shape legal cases, business transactions, and government policy decisions. Designed for readers without prior education in economics, accounting, or finance, it provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand the financial and business considerations behind complex legal and policy issues.

Written for beginning students and instructors teaching introductory courses, the book starts by defining essential legal and financial terminology before exploring the development of the American economy and its financial markets.

The text then introduces accounting, explaining its underlying principles and structure before examining each major financial statement. A chapter on accounting fraud explores how financial information can be manipulated to mislead and conceal rather than accurately inform. Building on this foundation, the book examines business valuation, including risk and the time value of money, using straightforward explanations that minimize unnecessary mathematics. Three chapters are devoted to valuation, one of the most challenging aspects of transactional work, regulation, and litigation. Real-world cases illustrate the complexities, uncertainties, and potential pitfalls of determining what a business is worth.

The final sections provide accessible introductions to derivatives, taxation, and economics. Throughout the book, real-life examples ranging from major financial scandals to everyday disputes make abstract concepts easier to understand and apply.

Key Features and Benefits

• No prior knowledge required: Designed for students with no background in economics, accounting, or finance.
• Accessible explanations: Presents complex financial concepts in ordinary language without oversimplifying the material. Mathematical requirements are limited to basic algebra.
• Comprehensive foundational coverage: Introduces legal and financial terminology, the American economy, financial markets, accounting, financial statements, accounting fraud, business valuation, derivatives, taxation, and economics.
• Practical valuation instruction: Devotes three chapters to business valuation, using real-world cases to explore risk, uncertainty, and the challenges of determining business value.
• Flexible course structure: Short chapters make the book adaptable to intensive courses taught over a few days or weeks, as well as full-semester classes.
• Instructor resources: The teacher's manual includes six sets of questions for classroom or homework assignments, suitable for individual or group work.
• Exam preparation: Includes twelve actual exams in different formats, each accompanied by model answers.

Business Basics for Lawyers 2026 1st Edition Brian Sawers
ISBN: 9798317709839, 979-8317709839, 979-8-3177-0983-9, 979-8-31770-983-9

Brian Sawers, Georgetown University Law Center

Urska Velikonja, Georgetown University Law Center