In Law, Intellect, and Education, Francis A. Allen presents a compelling collection of essays that argue for an education system grounded in intellectual rigor and humanistic motivation. Spanning nearly thirty years, these essays collectively defend the importance of a liberal and professional education that is under threat in the modern world. Allen, drawing from his extensive involvement with the Association of American Law Schools, underscores the need to advocate for this education, asserting its critical role in developing thoughtful and rational legal minds. The book delves into key themes in essays like "Mr. Justice Holmes and 'The Life of the Mind'," which critiques the separation of legal theory from moral considerations, and "On Winning and Losing," which examines the cultural fixation on success within the legal profession. Allen also reflects on past legal thought, such as Jerome Frank's "Law and the Modern Mind," to address the continuing relevance of recognizing human limitations in judicial processes. Throughout, Allen calls for a renewed commitment to cultivating intellectual discipline, emphasizing its necessity in achieving justice and fulfilling the demands of a complex legal system.

Francis A. Allen (1919–2007) was a distinguished legal scholar and professor at the University of Michigan Law School.