A valuable resource for public administration students and professionals, Understanding Law for Public Administration skillfully combines comprehensive legal information with analysis of instructive cases and practical advice. Based on more than 25 years’ experience practicing law and advising public officials, the author clearly explains basic legal principles and addresses subjects most relevant to public management, such as property, contracts, employment, and torts.
Designed to simplify complex legal concepts, this essential reference offers a broad approach to learning about law and the legal process.The chapters cover constitutional and administrative law, analyze illustrative cases, and offer guidance on practical matters, such as public ethics law, hiring lawyers, and handling civil litigation.
The book includes numerous case excerpts, which illustrate how the legal system addresses critical issues faced by public officials, such as freedom of the press, funding of public contracts, and separation of church and state. These examples bring the legal concepts to life in a meaningful way and help students understand their application in the real world.
This is an ideal text for law-based courses on public administration and public policy.
• A comprehensive yet easy-to-read overview of legal principles
• Covers legal subjects most important to public management
• Provides sound advice on practical matters such as public ethics law
• Features useful analysis of key cases
• Prepares public administrators to make legal decisions
