The legal system
As with previous novels from author John Grisham, The Exchange is set in the legal world. Mitch McDeere, the novel's main character, is one of the managing partners in an internally renowned law firm from New York City. Unlike some of the people around him, McDeere is committed to ensuring justice is doled out to the appropriate people, which caused him trouble in The Firm, which is the prequel to The Exchange. In its purest form, Grisham argues that the legal system is a powerful tool to bring justice to victims and to punish those who have done wrong. However, in some cases, Grisham shows that the legal system is broken. Wealthy corporations and individuals are able to get away with crimes simply because of their social status and their money, which the novel argues should never be possible. Everyone, no matter who they are, should be treated equally.
Standing up for what is right
Another important theme in the novel is standing up for what is right, no matter the consequences. In both novels featuring Mitch and Abby McDeere, the couple are presented with a choice: ignore injustice and remain safe, or do something about the injustice and speak up. In both novels, the couple decides to do the latter, risking their personal safety and other potential consequences that could come to them. Few people have the strength and integrity to do such a thing; their decision not only creates conflict in the novel but also gives the characters tremendous depth. In the end, they are able to stop the bad people from doing bad things and are rewarded for their decisions.
Resilience
Like David's fight against Goliath, Mitch McDeere has to go up against a group of rich, well-connected people in The Exchange. Although he is wealthier and has more power and influence than the average person, the odds are against Mitch in his fight against the evil cabal in Rome. Despite the challenges that he faces, Mitch perseveres. When he is knocked down, he inevitably gets back up again—no matter how big the blow is. That kind of resilience gives Mitch's character a significant amount of depth; it also shows the importance of being resilient in the fight against a more powerful opponent. Without it, Mitch would have surely been defeated on several occasions.
