The #1 Lawyer is a fast-paced legal thriller co-authored by James Patterson and Nancy Allen, published by Little, Brown and Company (Hachette Book Group). Set in Biloxi, Mississippi, the novel follows Stafford Lee Penney, a small-town criminal defense attorney with a flawless record who has never lost a case. After successfully defending a controversial client, Penney's world collapses when his wife is scandalously murdered, making him the prime suspect in a capital murder investigation. Spiraling into personal and professional ruin, Penney reinvents himself as a "lawyer lifeguard," showing up to court in flip-flops while moonlighting at the beach.

The story features multiple courtroom trials with dramatic testimony, shocking evidence, and intense cross-examinations. When Penney is accused of murder, he faces the ultimate test of representing himself in court. The novel explores themes of justice, redemption, corruption, and the complexities of the American legal system, with particular attention to racial dynamics in the Deep South. It's said that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client, but the #1 Lawyer will find a way to triumph.

This hardcover edition contains 432 pages and was published on March 18, 2024. The book has received strong reviews from readers, with a 4.27 rating on Goodreads from over 27,000 ratings, with many praising the fast-paced plot, courtroom drama, and unexpected twists. Co-author Nancy Allen brings authentic legal expertise as a former Missouri Assistant Attorney General and prosecutor, adding depth to the courtroom scenes and legal procedures.