A fascinating new exhibit on America's Lawyer-Presidents has just opened at the ABA Museum of Law at 321 North Clark Street in Chicago. The exhibit explores the legal careers of America's 25 lawyer-presidents--from John Adams to Bill Clinton--and how their legal experiences shaped their presidencies. A companion 384-page book, published by Northwestern University Press, also is available through the Museum and regular book outlets.

Relatively little has been known about these presidents' law careers--until now. The exhibit and book cover John Quincy Adams' arguments in landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases both before and after his presidency; Lincoln's 25-year legal career that encompassed more than 5,100 cases; Rutherford B. Hayes volunteering his legal services to fugitive slaves and the Underground Railroad; $25,000 legal fees charged by Benjamin Harrison in the late 1800s, and many other intriguing stories. The exhibit will remain in Chicago until February of 2006, when it will travel to other cities around the country.