Burdens of Proof

After receiving a lethal dose of radiation in an accident at a nuclear power plant in California, engineer Peter Saunders turns to the courts to publicize the ineffective safety procedures that caused his tragedy. Samuel Corbin, an associate in the prestigious law firm representing the corporation that owns the plant, knows that his future depends on winning the case for the company. But then he learns that its executives are willing to resort to murder to cover their tracks. While his novel, billed as a ``legal techno-thriller,'' succeeds as both courtroom procedural and suspense story, Oksner, an attorney and author of Punitive Damages , is at his best describing the legal profession's behind-the-scenes dynamics. His characterization of Corbin's firm will delight readers who believe ``legal ethics'' is an oxymoron. He overloads the dice against the corporation executives and lawyers, however, and the conclusion, while emotionally satisfying, is not intellectually convincing. 25,000 first printing; $25,000 ad/promo. (Apr.)