A Letter From James Bostwick

Acts of Omission, James S. Bostwick

Dear Readers,

I never realized how important reviews were until I became an author myself!

I read each and every review posted on Amazon, Audible and Goodreads and greatly appreciate the time, energy and thoughtful input. Each review helps me become a better author and also helps fellow readers decide if it’s something worth reading.

If you haven’t left a review yet, please click here and leave your own review for Acts of Omission. I also love hearing directly from readers, so if you have any questions about the novel, feel free to send a note to  and I’ll get back to you!

Thank you again for your support.

– James Bostwick

As a voracious reader of legal fiction, James always loved stories about criminal trials, but was struck by how seldom anyone wrote about the other cases that fill the courtrooms of America. Acts of Omission is inspired by a San Francisco case Jim tried in 1984 when he was a young dogged lawyer and went up against one of the most famous lawyers in the country to seek justice for a young man with a devastating injury.

The Philadelphia Lawyer Reviews Legal Thriller: Acts of Omission

Acts of Omission, Book Review

“This is a book about a trial lawyer written by a trial lawyer. Bostwick has written a book so realistic that, until the jury renders its verdict, you do not know whether you are headed to a happy ending or a crushing defeat.” – Dennis Suplee

Nationally recognized attorney Dennis Suplee of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, LLP, wrote a review of Acts of Omission through a legal lens for The Philadelphia Lawyer, the Philadelphia Bar Association’s quarterly magazine. The magazine provides information on the practice areas of the law, lifestyles, technology, fiction, book reviews and other topics of interest to Philadelphia lawyers.

To protect the reader from learning too much and spoiling the story, Suplee shared information in the review that the reader would learn in the first 15 pages of the book. According to Suplee, “The book is so realistic that it is easy to lose sight of the fact that it is a work of fiction.” He explains that unlike other books in the “legal thriller” genre, Acts of Omission is not about a criminal defense lawyer handling a criminal case. He explains, “Instead, this book is about a plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer handling a catastrophic injury case in which liability is very dicey.”

While Acts of Omission is fiction, the novel was inspired by a true case that the author James Bostwick tried in San Francisco in the 1980’s when he went up against one of the most famous attorneys in the country to seek justice for a devastatingly injured young man. Bostwick included elements of real litigation, characters and occurrences, depicting the difficult choices, high risk, ethical dilemmas, anguish and euphoria of everyday life for civil trial lawyers.

James Bostwick has been practicing law for over 40 years, representing catastrophically injured people across the nation. He is one of the names behind the nation’s leading law firm, Bostwick & Peterson. “Speaking of the author. James Bostwick is a blue-chip plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer from San Francisco. He has won verdicts totaling over $500 million dollars and at one point, won the largest medical malpractice jury verdict in U.S. history. He knows whereof he speaks.”

Suplee summed up the review by saying:

“The book’s excellence is reflected by its nomination for the 2020 Harper Lee Award for Legal Fiction and by the fact that it is under contract to become a movie. With the hope that I have not given away too much, I commend this one to you.”

The complete book review can be found here.

Acts of Omission is now available in paperback! Order your copy online today from a local bookstore on Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or here on Amazon.com.

Jim Bostwick Interviewed About His Award-Nominated Book Acts of Omission

Acts of Omission, Interviews, James S. Bostwick

Jim Bostwick, author of Acts of Omission, discusses his decision to become a writer, the real-life inspiration behind his debut novel and his award nomination.

As a voracious reader of legal fiction, Jim Bostwick decided it was time to write his own novel, one that realistically depicts the difficult choices, high risk, ethical dilemmas, anguish and euphoria of everyday life for civil trial lawyers. Bostwick believes there are a lot of works that reinforce “ambulance chasing” stereotypes and present skewed or false views of the selection and preparation of trials, so after years of pondering writing a novel, he finally wrote Acts of Omission to correct that deficiency.

Acts of Omission is loosely based on a San Francisco case Bostwick tried in 1984 when he went up against one of the country’s most famous attorneys to seek justice for a devastatingly injured teenager. The novel not only gives you an insider’s look into the life of a lawyer but also delivers a twist-filled tale complete with intrigue, romance and one man’s heroic fight for justice.

Acts of Omission was nominated for the 2020 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. The prize is awarded annually to a published work of fiction that best illuminates the role of lawyers in society and their power to effect change. Harper Lee established the Prize in 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Previous Prize winners include novelists such as John Grisham, Michael Connelly and Sharon Bala.

Listen to Jim’s podcast interviews on Blog Talk Radio’s Feisty Side of Fifty and Gurvey’s Law with hosts Alan Gurvey and Kerri Kasem (daughter of radio icon, Casey Kasem, the originator of American Top 40 music countdown). You can also read Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb for exciting news from Jim!

The paperback edition of Acts of Omission is now available for purchase. Order your copy online today from a local bookstore on Bookshop.org.

Jim Bostwick to be Interviewed Live on Gurvey’s Law

Acts of Omission, Coronavirus, Interviews, James S. Bostwick

Jim Bostwick will be interviewed live on Gurvey’s Law on KABC-AM 790 Talk Radio this Sunday, June 28, 2020 from 5:00pm-6:00pm PDT.

Jim will be talking about his award nominated legal thriller, Acts of Omission, and discussing justice in the time of COVID-19.

Gurvey’s Law is a long-running talk show on KABC Radio in Los Angeles. Hosts Alan Gurvey and Kerri Kasem (daughter of radio icon, Casey Kasem, the originator of American Top 40 music countdown) interview some of the country’s most famous lawyers, top legal minds, legal scholars, luminaries of the legal world, politicians, newsmakers, athletes and entertainers.

Bostwick, founder of Bostwick & Peterson, is rated among the Top 4 Trial Lawyers by the California Bar Journal. He is also featured in NewsweekTown and Country, and Forbes as one of America’s top trial lawyers. In his novel, Acts of Omission, he uses his vast experience to provide a rare glimpse into the world of civil trial lawyers, what motivates them, the enormous risks they take, and the choices that define them professionally and personally.

Listen to the live interview on gurveyslaw.com, Apple Podcasts, or Audioboom.com

Acts of Omission Paperback Edition is Now Available

Acts of Omission, Order Acts of Omission, Paperback Release, Shop Local

The paperback edition of Acts of Omission is now available for purchase!

CONTEST ENDED

To celebrate the release, James Bostwick is giving away signed copies. Sign up here to win one of 5 signed paperback editions of Acts of Omission: Paperback Launch Giveaway. Winners will be drawn at random on Friday, June 26th.

acts_of_omission_sliderOrder your copy online today from a local bookstore on Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or here on Amazon.com.

As a voracious reader of legal fiction, James Bostwick decided it was time to write his own novel, one that realistically depicts the difficult choices, high risk, ethical dilemmas, anguish and euphoria of everyday life for civil trial lawyers. Bostwick believes there are a lot of works that reinforce “ambulance chasing” stereotypes and present skewed or false views of the selection and preparation of trials, so after years of pondering writing a novel, he finally wrote Acts of Omission to correct that deficiency. The novel is loosely based on a San Francisco case Bostwick tried in 1984 when he went up against one of the country’s most famous attorneys to seek justice for a devastatingly injured teenager.

Acts of Omission is based in San Francisco, a city Bostwick adores and has lived and worked in for over 40 years. He took great pride in designing a book cover for his new novel that captures the essence of San Francisco. The book cover represents the spectacular sunset views of the Golden Gate from Crissy Field Beach and on the back of the cover, the bustling city streets shine through.

At its heart, this legal thriller is a soul-searching exploration of the meaning of friendship, love, and loyalty set in the maelstrom of a stunning courtroom battle. Fast paced, with surprises at every turn, this is a compelling page-turner filled with duplicity, sacrifice, heartache, and bare-knuckle legal brinksmanship. It is a searing tale of a legal system gone awry, where greed and power fight an unending battle against a young lawyer’s willingness to risk everything in his quest for justice.

See for yourself why this novel has sold out multiple times, received rave reviews, and a nomination for the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. Buy your copy today!

Becoming an Author: 5 Things You Should Know

Acts of Omission, Articles, Interviews, James S. Bostwick

During an interview with Authority Magazine James Bostwick was asked what 5 things you need to know to become a great author. Based on his experience with writing his novel Acts of Omission, he answered with the following advice:

  1. Write concerning something you are passionate about.
  2. Everyone’s writing wants to explain/tell the reader what is going on — don’t. Show them and let the reader figure it out. When the reader can use their imagination, the story comes alive. In other words, don’t tell them what your character is thinking, show it with their actions or mannerisms.
  3. Don’t use an outline or, if you do, don’t follow it too closely. Characters and storylines must have the freedom to go where the winds may blow them. When your characters start doing things you never had imagined they would do, that’s when the story begins to resonate. Your novel has then developed a life of its own.
  4. Listen to the ideas of friends and family but rely primarily on your own instincts. Writing is a creative process like art — not everyone is going to like the product of your efforts. Every good author is going to have a few one- or two-star reviews. You must give birth to what is inside you and not worry about pleasing everyone.
  5. Editing is key. When you have your 500-page masterpiece completed, remember that it probably has 100 pages of fat that don’t need to be there. When it has been pruned of chapters or vignettes you thought were fun/great at the time but upon cold-blooded reflection aren’t truly necessary, the story will move much faster, won’t have dead spots and will keep the reader more engaged.

James also discusses the challenges he faced in his journey to become an author and habits that helped during his writing process. Read the full Authority Magazine article on medium.com.

As a voracious reader of legal fiction, Bostwick decided it was time to write his own novel, one that realistically depicts the difficult choices, high risk, ethical dilemmas, anguish and euphoria of everyday life for civil trial lawyers. Bostwick believes there are a lot of works that reinforce “ambulance chasing” stereotypes and present skewed or false views of the selection and preparation of trials, so after years of pondering writing a novel, he finally wrote Acts of Omission to correct that deficiency. The novel is loosely based on a San Francisco case Bostwick tried in 1984 when he went up against one of the country’s most famous attorneys to seek justice for a devastatingly injured teenager.

See why this legal thriller has sold out multiple times, received rave reviews, and a nomination for the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. Buy your copy today.

James Bostwick Interviewed on Success Story Podcast

Acts of Omission, Interviews, James S. Bostwick

James Bostwick had an hour long, in-depth interview with Scott Douglas Clary on Success Story Podcast.

Scott is known for his candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians who have achieved success through both wins and losses. Guests talk about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their stories to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between.

James Bostwick is one of the most respected medical malpractice and personal injury lawyers in the nation. As Founder of Bostwick & Peterson, he’s cultivated a reputation as a top-tier specialist in catastrophic malpractice cases and has secured numerous record-setting verdicts and settlements. In this interview, Jim discusses his background, where his passion for medical malpractice law is rooted, and how he became an accomplished personal injury attorney.

He also talks about his decision to become a writer. As a voracious reader of legal fiction, he always loved stories about criminal trials, but was struck by how seldom anyone wrote about the other cases that fill the courtrooms of America. In the interview, Jim tells listeners more about the San Francisco case that inspired Acts of Omission. In 1984 when he was a young lawyer, he went up against one of the most famous lawyers in the country to seek justice for a young man with a devastating injury.

Listen to the interview, and hear the exciting news about a sequel to Acts of Omission, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The paperback edition of Acts of Omission will be released on June 9, 2020. Pre-order your copy online today from a local bookstore on Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.com.

A Thank You from Jim Bostwick

Acts of Omission, James S. Bostwick, Paperback Release

Thank you for joining me the other night to celebrate the success and paperback release of Acts of Omission. I wish we could have celebrated in person, but that wasn’t in the cards. I am grateful that we could still come together virtually. It was fun to see so many friendly faces, those that I have known for years and a few that I look forward to meeting. Your support means a great deal to me. Stay safe and please remember to write those reviews!

With gratitude,

Jim Bostwick

Thank you so much for being a part of the Acts of Omission Paperback Release party! If you were not able to attend to hear Jim’s talk and the BIG news about the book (too juicy to post here!) be sure to follow us on social media for more news about Acts of Omission and future speaking events: Facebook and Instagram. There is more to come!

The paperback edition of Acts of Omission will be released on June 9, 2020. Pre-order your copy online today from a local bookstore on Bookshop.org, or here on Amazon.com

 

Acts of Omission Review in ABOTA National Publication

Acts of Omission, Articles, Book Review

Acts of Omission, written by James Bostwick, was given a wonderful review in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) quarterly publication, ‘Voir Dire’, by John A. McGuinn, National Board Member from the San Francisco Chapter of ABOTA.

John writes:

“I recently read a novel that finally paints an authentic picture of the life of a civil trial lawyer. Acts of Omission grabbed on and held me from start to finish. It is a story that realistically depicts the difficult choices, high rise, ethical dilemmas, anguish and euphoria of everyday life for attorneys who represent victims of negligence.”

James Bostwick has been a member of ABOTA, an invitation-only organization, since 2003. ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges who have high personal character, an honorable reputation, and must have tried a minimum of 10 civil jury trials to conclusion. ABOTA dedicates itself to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment that guarantees the right to civil jury trials. More than 7,600 lawyers and judges are involved in ABOTA chapters in all 50 states.

To read the full review of Acts of Omission, go to ABOTA Bookshelf.

RSVP for Acts of Omission Paperback Release Virtual Party!

Acts of Omission, James S. Bostwick, Paperback Release

We will be celebrating the paperback launch of Acts of Omission via a Zoom Happy Hour Thursday, May 28th from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM PDT and we’d love for you to join us!

Space is limited, so please register here as soon as possible: RSVP at Eventbrite.

Grab your favorite drink and join author James Bostwick who will share exciting news, answer your burning questions and give away coveted prizes.

If you’ve already RSVP’d, the Zoom link is in your confirmation email. Simply click on the Zoom link to join the party. If you didn’t receive the Zoom link, please email: .

The novel is inspired by a San Francisco case James tried in 1984 when he was a young lawyer and went up against one of the most famous lawyers in the country to seek justice for a young man with a devastating injury.

If you haven’t had a chance to read Acts of Omission yet, that’s okay, please still join in and you could win a signed, first edition copy or one of the first paperback copies!

It will be a wonderful celebration! Hope to see you!