The primary work of opinion writing is done by clerks, with experienced judges acting mainly as watchful editors and mentors.

Ben Addison, fresh out of law school, has attained the position of a Supreme Court clerk to Justice Mason Hollis.  Rick, a man identifying himself as the former law clerk for Justice Hollis, gives him advice on handling some of his problems.  Ben innocently and foolishly shares with him the forthcoming opinion of the Court. He doesn't realize that the man is only posing as the former clerk, and is informing his partner about the court opinion, making them millions.  Ben is blackmailed by Rick to reveal future opinions.  Ben, with the help—he thinks—of his three friends, attempts to trick the blackmailer.  But one of his friends leaks their plans to the blackmailer.  The careers of his three friends are threatened by Rick, and distrust sets in.  Their lives are battered, and the fabric of their friendship is torn apart.

This is a legal thriller intertwined with a story of friendship and betrayal. There are issues of loyalty, trust and integrity.  There is much about the decision-making process of the Supreme Court.  The writing is average.  The action is slow moving.  The dialogue is sophomoric.  This has been reprinted from 1997.

Reviews of other titles by Brad Meltzer

Tenth Justice [book]
The Millionaires [book]
The Zero Game [book] [audio]
Inner Circle (Culper Ring #1) [book] [audio]
The Fifth Assassin (Culper Ring #2) [book]
The President's Shadow (Culper Ring #3) [audio] [book]
The House Of Secrets [book]
The President’s Shadow [book] [audio]
The Escape Artist [audio]