Attorney Book GuideLegal book publishing
Published by Big Impact Books. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Legal book publishing means either writing reference titles for a legal publisher or publishing your own book for clients, and both carry legal issues to check first.
This page from the Attorney Book Guide, published by Big Impact Books, separates the two routes and gives a six-item legal checklist for publishing a book. It covers the legal issues in book publishing that matter most to attorney-authors. It is general information, not legal advice.
The main legal issues are client confidentiality, lawyer advertising rules, copyright and permissions, defamation risk in case stories, and the publishing agreement itself. Each is manageable with planning, and most can be handled during outlining rather than at the last minute.
For book publishing legal advice on a specific contract, the Authors Guildmaintains a Literary Lawyer's Listing to help writers find attorneys familiar with publishing. Big Impact Books is a publishing and promotion company, not a law firm.
Large legal publishers, including Wolters Kluwer and LexisNexis, publish expert law books and practitioner guidance. LexisNexis publishes a publishing guide in its legal guidance materials. These titles serve lawyers who need reference material, and the publisher typically selects the project and controls production and pricing.
This route suits treatises, practice manuals and deep doctrinal work aimed at other practitioners.
A practice-building book speaks to prospective clients and referral sources in plain language. Big Impact Books works on this route: it helps attorneys develop and publish the book, then promote it through channels such as podcasts and media.
This route suits lawyers who want authority with the people they serve. Founder Melanie Herschorn's Lasting Legal Impact is written as a blueprint for exactly this kind of book.
Work through these six items before your manuscript goes to production.
Traditional publishers usually acquire certain rights; author-funded models often leave them with you. Get it in writing.
Long quotations, charts, photos and forms created by others may need a license.
Confidentiality duties do not end because a story makes a good example. Change identifying details or get informed consent.
Make clear the book offers general information and that readers should consult a lawyer about their own situation.
Book promotion, author bios and claims about results can fall under professional conduct rules in your jurisdiction.
Look at scope of services, revision limits, add-on fees, royalties, term, and how you can exit.
Some people searching legal book publishing are lawyers looking to work inside the publishing industry, for example in rights, contracts or editorial roles at legal publishers. This guide does not cover careers. It is written for attorneys who want to publish a book of their own.
Ready for the practical steps? Read publish my law book, or return to the main book publishing for attorneys guide.
The main legal issues in book publishing for attorney-authors are client confidentiality, professional conduct rules on lawyer advertising, copyright and permissions for quoted material, defamation risk in case stories, and the terms of the publishing agreement. Anonymize client stories, keep the book general rather than legal advice, and review your bar's rules. This guide is not legal advice.
Read this answer in the FAQFor book publishing legal advice on contracts, rights or permissions, consult a lawyer who handles publishing matters. The Authors Guild maintains a Literary Lawyer's Listing to help writers find attorneys familiar with book publishing. Big Impact Books is a publishing and promotion company, not a law firm, so it does not give legal advice about your agreement.
Read this answer in the FAQYes. A practical legal checklist for publishing a book covers six items: confirm who owns the copyright and ISBN, get written permission for quoted or reproduced material, anonymize client stories, add a disclaimer that the book is not legal advice, check bar rules on lawyer advertising, and read every term of the publishing agreement. The legal book publishing page on this site explains each one.
Read this answer in the FAQOwnership depends on the publishing agreement you sign. With most self-publishing and author-funded models, authors keep the copyright, while traditional publishers usually acquire certain rights in exchange for an advance and royalties. The facts behind this guide do not state Big Impact Books' contract terms, so read the agreement and confirm who holds the copyright, files and ISBN before you start.
Read this answer in the FAQNo. Large legal publishers such as Wolters Kluwer and LexisNexis serve the legal market with expert law books, legal software and practitioner guidance. Big Impact Books instead helps an individual attorney develop and publish their own book under their own name, then promote it through channels such as podcasts and media. The two serve different goals, which the publishing paths comparison on this site lays out.
Read this answer in the FAQA traditional publisher selects the book, pays for production, and usually controls rights, timing and pricing, which suits treatises and practitioner references. Self-publishing gives you full control and faster release, but you manage or pay for every step. A done-for-you partner such as Big Impact Books sits between them: you keep your voice while a team handles development, publishing and promotion.
Read this answer in the FAQPublished by Big Impact Books