The courtroom work of defence lawyers entails managing emotions: irritation when a client says something damaging, surprise when a witness says something unexpected and disgust towards gruesome evidence. Emotions abound in all criminal trials even if they are, at times, rather inconspicuous.

Loyalty Work is a sociological study of how defence lawyers in Sweden defend their clients using their body and emotions. It transports the reader to the charged subtle drama of the courtroom to show in detail how lawyers negotiate the invisible regime of law and how they accomplish their role.