Ladies' Man: The Life and Trials of Marvin Mitchelson

Journalist and author Jenkins ( The Litigators ) masterfully recounts the life of Mitchelson, ``divorce lawyer to the stars.'' The famous Hollywood attorney resembles a Dickensian figure, but one who alarms instead of amuses. A poor student who squeaked past the bar at age 29 in 1957, within 10 years Mitchelson was winning multimillion-dollar divorce settlements for Pamela Mason, ex-wife of the actor James, and other famous folk. The lawyer prospered through the years and his reputation grew, particularly when he represented Michelle Marvin in her palimony suit against actor Lee Marvin, settled in 1979. Recently, however, Mitchelson, accused of defrauding clients, drug addiction, rape and other sexual crimes, has been forced to defend himself. That is now the main concern of the man who agreed with Dickens's Mr. Bumble that ``the law is a ass!''--and often proved it. (Aug.)