Attorney to the Stars

Attorney To The Stars traces the events and adventures of Clair Burrill, an entertainment lawyer in California. Mr. Burrill writes about some of his favorite clients and legal cases, and it’s clear that he had a warm and enduring relationship with the former Bill Withers, the famous songwriter. He was close to and represented the comedian John Candy over the years, leading to some great memories and fun moments mentioned in this book. He developed a long friendship with the country singer Waylon Jennings, and he provides some fascinating accounts of travel and time spent with the musician. But this book is more than just a collection of celebrity gossip or legal wranglings. It also traces the interesting and sometimes comical events of Mr. Burrill’s own interesting life.

The author can spin an enthralling tale throughout this book. I loved the structure, which moved back and forth between fun encounters with clients and well-known persons to Mr. Burrill’s life stories. The reader never gets too much of a good thing because the work moves from one fascinating topic to another. For instance, in one chapter, we learn about the early concert touring adventures and misadventures of the Rolling Stones in Arkansas. Before you know it, we are learning how Mr. Burrill found himself as an undergraduate student at Harvard University.

When I first saw this book’s title, I thought it might be the typical name-dropping tell-all style book. But it was so much more than that. Yes, there are names of famous people, and of course, it’s always fun to read about them, but, to me, this was more of a heartwarming memory of lasting friendships and good times over a long and interesting lifetime and career. I was reminded often while reading the early part of the book of characters and television shows that I’d long forgotten. For example, Mork and Mindy was something I remember watching as a child, but I have not heard it mentioned by anyone in years. I also appreciated the look back on John Candy’s early years in Toronto, which I didn’t know much about. The author seemed blessed with an extraordinary list of clients and friends.

Perhaps surprisingly, the most interesting bits were about Mr. Burrill’s early adventures at school and right after University, especially when he went on his unexpected South American travels with Myron and Ronnie. I loved that he reconnected with Myron many years later and provided photos of him and his other friends and family. It made me feel so much more connected to the story.

Attorney To The Stars was an absolute hit, and I had a hard time putting it down. Other readers will no doubt feel the same way about this riveting read.