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A fantastic read - couldn't put it down! Written beautifully with such engaging stories. Can't wait for the next one!
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The stories told by Alpass about cases handled behind the doors of his suburban legal practice are a myriad of surprises. But more than that, his selection is thrilling, sometimes funny and always captivating. I found myself reading faster and faster as my fascination accelerated my drive to discover the outcomes. Alan’s frankness about how he built his business adds a personal insight and maybe a lesson for some. Grass Roots is a read that will leave you hoping this is just the beginning of works by Alan Alpass.
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What a fascinating read. Who would have thought your suburban solicitor could be involved in so much intrigue. A very easy book to pick up and consume. The author obviously knows his/her subject. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy
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This book is well worth the read. The stories behind the author’s clients are fascinating, entertaining and at times alarming. But what really stands out is the author’s love of the law, his empathy for those clients who find themselves in trouble, and the lengths he will go to in order to achieve the best outcome. Anyone who reads this book will also recognise some historic significant events. An easy read that I would recommend.
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A very well written book full of interest and intrigue. It is extraordinary that a suburban solicitor could encounter such an eclectic mix of clients. A very easy and worthwhile read.
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book on several levels.
Firstly, because it gave a wonderful insight into the relationship between the author and his clients, especially in light of the author's own experience of being personally exposed to the legal system. I felt that chapter enhanced the legitimacy of all the cases referred to and gave greater depth to each case.
Secondly, with respect to the amazing variety of cases that were detailed in the book. I found some of the cases should be worthy of a separate book, such as the case of the yachting disaster. Each case was presented in an easy to understand and engaging way.
The author's genuine love of his professional life and his empathy with people from all walks of life was easy to see written in each case and certainly made the stories come to life.
I would love to read more....
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I read the book with great interest and strongly commend the author for the ease of reading. I gained great insight into:
the diversity of client legal issues walking through the door of a small suburban legal practice and the subsequent stress on a sole practitioner
the empathy and respect shown to each client regardless of presenting issue
the succinct case studies devoid of legal jargon, enabling me to understand the process from first contact through to case conclusion.
the diversity of client emotions directed at the author and the subsequent impact on personal and family life.
the depth of legal knowledge evident in each unique case.
A really great read, so manageable in length. Thanks Alan.
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Grass Roots contains eloquent vignettes of the life of a suburban lawyer. It is both entertaining and an erudite guide for young practitioners. Warts and all approach crafted with the swagger of a raconteur. An enjoyable read.
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A very interesting read from both a content and a legal perspective.
The author is articulate in describing the broad array of skills and knowledge required of a suburban lawyer.
Very clearly and well written with human empathy threaded strongly through each story.
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This book is a great read.
True life stories from a suburban lawyer mixed with enough background law to keep it all real and enthralling.
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According to the old joke, an actuary is someone who wanted to be an accountant but lacked the personality. The job title “suburban lawyer” provokes a similar reaction in the minds of many: domestic conveyancing, mum & dad wills, estate administration. All in all, a rather beige existence. In his lively memoir, “Grass Roots”, Mr Alpass explodes the myth. It is a rollicking tale of colourful characters and extraordinary events. Some of the stories are so strange, they must be true; no one would make them up! With plenty of good humour, and a little pathos, “Grass Roots” is a page-turner and a fascinating insight into one practitioner’s life in the law. Highly recommended.
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What a fascinating insight into a suburban legal practice. The complexity of law can sometimes be overwhelming yet these stories are simply told with a raw honesty that kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Looking forward to the next book!
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This book is a conduit to the other side of the veil. For those of us fortunate enough to have not been embroiled in a legal case the author breathes life into a wonderful world of characters. These people, their stories and legal matters are far more intriguing than anyone would expect a suburban lawyer to deal with. The book is also detailed with descriptions of the times and places that make add to the atmosphere. I'd like to meet the man giving antique shooting lessons to the local rozzers.
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Grass Roots is a compelling and informative collection; the stories are funny, gripping and often unexpected, walking a delicate balance between attention to detail, personal touches and an eye toward
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s the big picture. In this sense, the book doesn’t shy away from highlighting the tensions that underpin any encounter with the legal system, but above all is attentive to human quirks. A book to be relished as a good story told over a beer – great for fans of Sarah Krasnostein, or those interested in true crime.
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Alan has been our family solicitor for more than 40 years. Professionally, as a local detective for many years, we often had mutual “clients”.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, a great read, not just on some of the criminal cases I was interested in, but the other cases and anecdotes he shares, the characters, the quirky cases that came through his door. Look forward to the next book.
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With a fine sensitivity to the tragedy and the comedy of suburban life, the author reveals the incredibly human stories which he's been a part of for his forty years as a lawyer. A surprising and enjoyable read.
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A brilliantly told set of stories from the wisdom of someone who has earned it; professionaly and personally. The stories give the reader a glimpse into the often untold world of the underbelly of suburbia, through the factual voice of a lawyer, the encapsulating voice of a storyteller and the empathetic voice of a fellow human.
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A gem of a book - beguiling and at times a little unsettling but unmistakeably authentic and gritty. A book
you can't put down. Alan Alpass writes with intensity and freshness, the characters are compelling as they
find themselves in situations of conflict and jeopardy. The thread of pathos shines through as does the
self-deprecation of the author.
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It is with great pleasure that I review Grass Roots written by Alan Dudley Alpass.
Having worked for Alan Alpass decades ago, I was able to recall some of the clients and cases forming part of Grass Roots.
I found the book to be well written and very hard to put down.
Congratulations Alan on a great read.
I will look forward to reading your future narratives.
Well done.
Judy Arnott
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Those favouring John Grisham’s numerous legal thrillers and Michael Connolly’s “Lincoln Lawyer” series will find Alan Dudley Alpass’s Grass Roots: Adventures of a Suburb Lawyer both refreshing and endearing.
Lawyers are required by their profession to be good storytellers, but Alpass is a collector and conveyer of great stories of humanity, gleaned from nearly half a century of legal practice across Greater Melbourne. In his words:
“Everyone I know is aware that I love my work, and it really is still a great pleasure, after all these years, to immerse [myself] in people’s real-life problems, many of which the best fiction writers could never imagine.”
Initially, Alpass composed this engaging book to help families and friends better understand his demanding life as a legal practitioner.
However, in this process the writing transcended, transforming the book from a mere documentation of life to a conscious and compassionate representation of “the diversity of personalities – their drives, reactions and responses – the array of human strengths and frailties” that makes life rich and rewarding.
Alpass started out as a 25-year-old newly qualified solicitor supporting his family with part-time bartending work in 1975. Gradually his practice grew, mirroring the evolution and revolution of the judicial and court systems in Victoria.
Without burdening readers with disorienting jargons and detailed descriptions of legal proceedings, the author vividly recalled some of the unconventional characters as well as bizarre, sad, and complex cases that he had encountered. Where personal and professional lives collided, he had also been provoked, arrested, sued, and threatened.
On one occasion, Alpass found “four bleached human skulls gaped at me, their empty eye sockets dark and surprised” while trying to catalogue the estate of a deceased client in Sassafras. On another occasion, he successfully arranged for the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to convene at the bedside of a dying client in the Yarra Valley – the first for any court in Victoria
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Many captivating stories can be read in Grass Roots. Who would’ve know there could be so many challenges and curve balls thrown to a suburban solicitor! Alan’s writing reflects a compassion for his clients over his long (and certainly very interesting) career. Worth the read.
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Absolutely brilliant. Compelling reading. I couldn't put it down. Definitely worth the read.
