WAVERLY - A local author who already has experienced some success is branching out with her third book.

Karen Thalacker of Waverly first offered two engaging titles for kids, "Knitting with Gigi" and "Gigi Knits … and Purls." Her latest effort, however, pays homage to a passion that doesn't involve yarn.

"The New Lawyer's Handbook: 101 Things They Don't Teach You in Law School" will be released soon by Sourcebooks in Naperville, Ill.

Thalacker, 43, is an attorney with Gallagher, Langlas and Gallagher with an office in Waverly. She graduated from law school at Drake University in 1991 and is a general practitioner with an emphasis in family, personal injury and business law.

"I have been so blessed to have had wonderful colleagues and mentors in my life," Thalacker says.

With the book, she is trying to pass some of that good fortune along. The aim, though, is to fill spaces in young lawyers' heads still vacant after graduation.

"Being smart is only one component of being a successful attorney," Thalacker writes.

She starts with a frank assessment for young legal scholars, who Thalacker says are "entering a profession where the seven deadly sins make a daily appearance."

"While the study of law deals with statutes, cases and appeals, the practice of law deals with an intriguing cocktail of greed, substance abuse, domestic violence and basic immaturity - and that is just between you and your law partners," Thalacker writes.

"That is other people's law partners," she jokes. "Mine have been wonderful."

Thalacker drew tips from her experiences and from colleagues, her parents and siblings, including two who are attorneys as well, Andy Thalacker of Dike and Laura Thalacker of Las Vegas. She also knows a bit about managing judges since she had been married to one, Peter Newell, for 18 years.

"For instance, you may have to tell your client to bathe. That is not something you want your client to hear from a judge," Thalacker says.

In explaining the importance of staying humble and grateful, Thalacker several times quotes her father, the Rev. Bill Thalacker of Waterloo.

"My dad's advice was the same regardless of what we were doing: 'When you lose say little, when you win say even less,'" she writes.

While he believes most of the credit should go to his wife, Marilyn, the Rev. Thalacker appreciates the compliment.

"It's rewarding to hear your grown-up kids say you weren't so dumb after all," he says.

Thalacker has fun with the tips she suggests, addressing most in a few readable pages. She is earnest, though, in her message that young attorneys find ways to contribute to their community. Her 101st idea is stated as a question: What will people say at your funeral?

"Having satisfaction in a legal career has very little to do with how much money you make," Thalacker says.