Beyond the First Whereas

A Lawyer's Odyssey in Verse

Mark Halliwell Smith

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QTY:

English

Sager Group LLC
04 August 2025

Biography: general; Poetry; Legal profession: general

Beyond the First Whereas is a witty, poignant, and refreshingly original poetic journey through the stages of a lawyer's life, from the first tentative steps toward law school to the triumphs, trials, and quiet revelations of practice.

With humor, insight, and emotional resonance, Mark Halliwell Smith captures the moments that shape a lawyer's path: the pressure of the LSAT, the camaraderie of study groups, the sting of a bad cold call, the rush of closing a deal, and the personal costs that sometimes come with professional success.

Whether you're a seasoned attorney, a law student, or simply someone who loves poetry that plays with form and meaning, this collection invites you to reflect, smile, and see the law as a lawyer sees it, heart and soul (and in iambic tetrameter).

WHEREAS, a lawyer's life unfolds

In cautious steps, with borrowed grace,

From law school dreams the young heart holds

To battles fought with poise and pace.

WHEREAS, the LSAT's quiet dread,

The cold call's sting, the study grind,

Give way to briefs and deals ahead,

And quiet truths we come to find.

WHEREAS, the law can lift and bruise,

Its gains hard-earned, its pains not small,

Yet even when the heart must lose,

There's purpose rising through it all.

WHEREAS, these verses dare to show

The human side beneath the robe.

With wit and warmth, they let us know

The lawyer's life, around the globe.

NOW, THEREFORE, let the reader see:

This book's not just for courts and class;

It charts my soul's own quiet plea

To delve beyond the first ""WHEREAS.""

By: Mark Halliwell Smith
Imprint: Sager Group LLC
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 8mm
Weight: 159g
ISBN: 9781958861745
ISBN 10: 195886174X
Pages: 130
Publication Date: 04 August 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Mark Halliwell Smith is a nationally recognized real estate finance attorney and author of The Seven Secular Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to Achievement. He and his wife, Diane Shader Smith, are leading global advocates in the fight against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections

Reviews for Beyond the First Whereas: A Lawyer's Odyssey in Verse

""A genuine work of art-absolutely fabulous! I was never a fan of poetry, but Beyond the First Whereas changed that. With wit, depth, and profound insight, the author reveals how poetry can bring deeper meaning to life's journeys. Every piece-from the copyright notice to LSAT prep-opened new windows of understanding to me. The Dedication moved me and my wife to tears. A truly extraordinary achievement!"" -Marschall I. Smith, former General Counsel at Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. ""Beyond the First Whereas is a clever and beautiful presentation of the journey of becoming a lawyer. I have often wondered what the best way is to give students an idea of what their future will be like. This book captures the experience perfectly and elevates the odyssey far beyond anything I have ever read."" -Laurie L. Levenson, Professor of Law and Chair of Ethical Advocacy, and former Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Loyola Law School ""This heartwarming collection of poems traces the arc of a legal career, with the precision of a seasoned advocate and the soul of a poet. Beyond the First Whereas is a love letter to the law and those who dare to practice it."" -Adeeb Sahar, Global Head of Commercial, Corporate and International Law at X (formerly Twitter)