Original subtitles

Previously on L .A. Law.

I'm going to file for divorce.

Because of what he did last night?

Because of all of it.

I understand. You have this other relationship.

Yeah. I don't want to break it up. Not that I think I could.

But I am attracted to you.

I'm just going to lay this out and cut to it.

A friend of mine, Mark Ross, is currently residing in division lockup

cocaine with intent.

I want to get him out and I need your help.

Is he guilty? Very much so.

I hope that doesn't end our conversation.

Still listening.

You understand we're looking for an intern.

An extra pair of hands for the scut work.

Mackenzie Brackman is top -heavy with partners. We're not looking to groom

another one.

I'm not looking for that either.

My interest is public policy law. But before I get too tracked, I'd like to

a close look at a private firm.

The birth mother wants her baby back.

What? She changed her mind and... She signed the consent form. What are you

talking about?

She's petitioning the court to have the consent withdrawn.

Why the hell can she do that? Stuart? No, no, no.

The consent form is signed, Arnie. It's a done deal.

No, it's not a done deal. The adoption isn't final yet.

And until it is, she has the right to withdraw the consent or at least the

to try.

Melody. Hi. They changed courtrooms on us. We're over here now.

Oh, listen, thanks for letting me observe you in action.

No problem.

I've never played a lawyer before. I'd like the result to be somewhere in the

realm of the possible.

It's a role you helped me get, you know.

Well, remember, this is civil, not criminal. Could be deadly. Don't expect

fireworks.

We were just sitting around watching the TV when all of a sudden I hear this...

hissing sound.

I look at my wife and I go, you hear that?

And she says, you mean that?

And I go, yeah, you hear it?

Of course, she had to have heard. How else could she imitate it? What happened

next, Mr. Hillbar? Boom happened next.

A huge explosion ripped out the wall of our den.

What part of the wall?

Objection.

I want to object to that.

I'm objecting now.

I mean right, right, right, right, right now.

Praise the Lord.

Why don't you step up, Mr. Pastorini?

What the hell was that?

Your Honor, my client and I have discussed this, and we feel our case

more effective if I sing my objections as well as some of the arguments and

procedural issues.

Counselor, you will not sing in my courtroom.

You get me?

Very well, Judge, but I'd like an instruction to the jury informing them

being denied my right to incorporate music into my defense.

Fine, I'll tell them. Step back.

Our members of the jury, Attorney Pastorini, will no longer be singing

the course of this trial.

He'd like you to know he's stopping only...

At my urging.

Continue, Mr.

Cusack. What part of the wall exploded, sir?

Over the heating vents.

All three of them blew out.

It was a huge boom. I mean, I'm lucky to be alive.

Objection to the term boom, Your Honor. On grounds of violence.

Overruled. Sidebar.

Approach.

Counsel!

The motion to suppress on Greco is pending.

If we lose on that, we'll probably come to trial sometime around the end of the

year. In other words, there's no problem with my being out of the country for a

while. Business trip you're taking, Frank?

Business. Pleasure.

I always manage a little of both.

Lucky you.

Frank! We have no drug agents. Keep your hands where we can see them. What is

this? Shut your mouth and put your hands on your head. Keep your hands behind

your back, Frank. I'd like to see a warrant. Your attorney wants to see a

warrant, Frank.

Here's your warrant.

You're under arrest for the... Get your hands back up! ...conspiracy to sell

a... We're under arrest, too? Get your hands back up!

...intimidating a federal witness. You guys should try out for Geraldo Rivera.

You're very tough.

That man is in handcuffs. You don't have to do that.

Just give me a reason, Frank.

Hillbar versus Bradley.

Michael? Hillbar's heating system blew up.

Bradley put it in, but it turns out that Bradley wasn't even certified, so we're

suing for compensatory and punitive.

It's like trying a case on the gong show.

Moving on.

Maya versus Meyer.

Yeah, it shouldn't be too difficult.

After the obligatory name -calling and breastfeeding, I'm sure we'll settle

In the matter of Markowitz versus Harris.

We are due in court in an hour.

Children's Services has rendered its opinion in our favor.

For the record, though, they usually come down against withdrawal of consent,

and the judge is free to disregard their recommendation, but it is a plus.

Are you going in, too, Arnie?

No, Victor thinks that if we're going with an army of lawyers, it's only going

to end up making the girl look more sympathetic.

On a personal note, Ann Stewart, we wish you the best, and our hearts are with

you, Ann.

Little Kelsey.

Here, here.

Thank you, Douglas.

Thanks.

Finally, our payroll snafu has been rectified, our accounts are current, and

income tax pressures notwithstanding, I'm waiting on your billables for the

month of March, people. In short, we are back to business per usual. Now, if

there's nothing else, we're adjourned.

Good staff meeting, Douglas.

Quick, to the point. I like it. Good to have you back in the driver's seat,

Douglas.

Okay, Mickey, let's talk numbers. Let's talk about yesterday.

What the hell was that?

I was just having a little fun, that's all.

You looked like a candidate for the rubber room, Frankie.

Exactly.

And you know what?

When those jurors went home last night, you think they were telling their

families about what an awful thing the defendant did to the plaintiff?

No way.

They were saying, you should have seen the crazy lawyer we saw today.

And they'll be laughing.

And with each little giggle, the idea that this is a serious thing gets

away. And that translates into a lighter verdict.

Gotta be kidding.

Hey, counselor, you need to get them outraged and worked up in order to get

punies. But they're having too much fun to be mad.

We may lose, but we won't lose big.

Trust me.

75 ,000.

That's the damages plus 10. No chance.

You guy lied about being certified.

He all but blew up my client's house. They had to live in a hotel for two

months. No, you are not sliding out of this with just compensatories.

Any more than 75, my guy has to sell his house.

He won't. Well, I guess we have to go back into court.

Okay, but I gotta warn you, I'm feeling pretty funny.

And I really hate to beat up on such a humorless guy.

I'll see you tomorrow, Frankie.

I'll be the one dressed like Evita.

In the matter of the United States of America versus Frank Wylan Ray Bale.

Counsel?

Terrence Flaherty for the government. Ready, Your Honor.

Abigail Perkins for the defendant.

Ready, Your Honor.

The government asks the defendant be held without bond, Your Honor.

We have information linking this man to the sale of millions of dollars worth of

cocaine and linking him to the murders of Tyrone Weeks and Clifford Bagley.

What's the source of all this information?

A reliable informant.

You just can't say who.

Well, ask your client why that is, Miss Perkins. Better than that, ask Cliff

Bagley's parents. They ID'd his body just before he was supposed to testify

against one of Frank Weiland's lieutenants. Mr. Flaherty, you're asking

court take your word that confidentiality is necessary here. Is

Only long enough to go to trial, Your Honor. Given the opportunity, I am

confident we can prove guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.

I would ask that the identity of the informant be revealed.

I would ask that a reasonable bond be set and a hearing pursuant to Rule 5 .1

scheduled as soon as possible.

Reasonable bond.

He has no flight risk, Your Honor. He's lived here his whole life. He has no

criminal record.

All his current incarceration does is interfere with him assisting in the

preparation of his own defense.

I believe Miss Perkins made the same speech for Mark Ross several weeks ago,

Your Honor. He skipped 24 hours later.

What does that have to do with it? All right, that's enough.

I'm setting bond at a million dollars or $100 ,000 cash equivalent.

For the following conditions. Mr. Weiland is to surrender his passport.

He's to keep the United States Marshal's office informed of his whereabouts.

And he is to avoid all contact with any potential witnesses.

Suppression hearing will be Thursday morning at 10 a .m.

That's all.

You might have caved a little fast on the passport, Counselor. Don't tell me

to practice law, Frank. Send a message loud and clear. We're going after the

shots now, not just the flunkies.

You talk a good game, Terrence. You're going to be out here holding a press

conference when the case is dismissed?

It's not going to happen this time, Frank.

You're the scum of the earth, and I'm going to prove it.

You do that in court, Mr. Flaherty, not in the hallway.

You coming?

I guess at first I was afraid to keep her because I didn't have any money and

wasn't married or anything, but now Rick and I are engaged and we know we could

take care of her.

Tammy, why did you sign the consent form two weeks ago?

Well, everybody kept telling me to, but it was wrong.

Look, I'm sorry to be hurting you like this, but there are lots of babies you

can go out there and adopt.

See, she's got my blood, my genes. She's part of me.

I can't go out and adopt that.

This is non -responsive, Your Honor. No matter what that contract says, I'm her

mama.

I have nothing further.

When are you getting married, Tammy?

I don't know.

Soon. Soon.

And have you found a place to live yet?

Well, Rick says we're going to take care of that as soon as we're married. How

much money does Rick make?

He earns $320 a week.

And do either you or Rick have any kind of health or life insurance?

Well, we're going to get that if you... Yes and no questions, Tammy.

Do you have medical or life insurance or not?

No.

Now, Rick never graduated from high school, has he? You don't need a college

education to be a committed parent, Mr. Cervantes.

No, you don't, Tammy. Where is this committed parent today?

That's not fair.

Rick couldn't afford to fly out here to California. That is not fair.

You think it's fair to snatch a baby from a loving home when you have no

to live, no insurance... Objection!

...withdrawn? No, no, no, I want to answer that.

There's no question before you. No, he got to make his speech, and I want to

make mine.

The witness can make her statement.

No, we don't have money. We're not rich. This baby is not going to get swimming

pools and private schools.

But there are things they can't give her neither.

One day this baby is going to grow up and wonder who her real mama is. And

going to wonder why she doesn't get to live with the people who made her. And

that is when she's going to feel deprived, Mrs. of Wednesdays. That's

going to look around at her friends and wonder why she doesn't have what they

have. And that is a hurt that they can't make go away with money.

Well, if you thought she would be so deprived, why did you give her up for

adoption in the first place?

I changed my mind.

Yes, you did, Tammy. And what happens to this child when you change your mind

again? No, that's not going to happen.

Because you love her so much, right?

Have you ever tried to visit this child in the last three months?

Well, no, but... Have you ever tried to at least call these people?

To at least find out, how's she doing? Well, no, because I didn't think they

would talk to me. Well, did you talk to them before giving up the baby for

adoption? To at least satisfy yourself that these are good people here.

No, it was to pay it for me. I couldn't. So you put your own feelings above the

best interests of the child, then, didn't you? To be with me isn't our best

interest.

1984, you were arrested and convicted for selling marijuana, weren't you?

Objection! Overruled. I made a mistake.

You gonna smoke a little dope around this baby too, Tammy? Oh, that's not

I don't do drugs. You just shut up. I do not do drugs. Let the record reflect

that the witness is hysterical and imbalanced. I haven't done this to

Let the record reflect that the witness is hysterical and imbalanced. I am her

mama.

I have nothing for anyone.

Why was it necessary to meet here?

Tables in restaurants are too close together.

My house and your office are both probably bugged.

You think my office is bugged? I think it's possible.

They play dirty when it comes to dope, Counselor.

You might also be just a little bit paranoid.

That doesn't mean I'm wrong.

What is it you want to tell me?

The Fed's informant is a whacked -out junkie named Luis Perez who used to work

for me.

How do you know?

I know.

Don't worry about how.

Well, just knowing his name isn't going to help you.

We have to prove he's unreliable for it to make a difference.

I got rid of him because he's unreliable.

If he worked for you, he's in a position to know about you.

He's got a record a mile long.

Most informants do.

Look, unless I can discredit him or he personally recants, the indictment will

probably hold up.

We need to start thinking about what kind of deal we can strike.

Not yet, we don't.

Frank, there's a lot that you can tell them. They might be inclined to reduce

your jail time accordingly.

Hey, that's the wrong way to think. You understand?

Now, Luis Perez does not send me to jail.

This case will never come to trial. This indictment will be dismissed.

Play to win, Counselor.

Otherwise, you never do.

She was fully aware of all the terms when she signed the consent.

In addition to me, she had independent counsel advising her. Then there is no

question in your mind, sir, that she knew what you were signing?

None whatsoever.

Thank you, Mr. Burnett. Nothing further.

How much did the Markowitz's pay you for this baby? I was paid for legal

services rendered in connection with the adoption. How much, Mr. Burnett?

$10 ,000.

And if they now lose this baby, they get that money back, don't they? This isn't

about money, Mr. Iserman. Don't insult me, Mr. Burnett. This is entirely about

money. You sell babies for a living, and you're in here now trying to protect a

commission. Objection! All those rules. My job is finding good homes for

unwanted babies.

State adoption agencies do that, sir. The only difference is you get rich off

it. I'm a professional, Mr.

Iserman.

I placed that baby with the Markowitz's because they presented an ideal match

for Tammy Harris's requirements.

An ideal match.

The night the Markowitz's took custody, that baby was being shipped from

Arkansas to a Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rowland, correct?

Yes. So what happened to them?

They split up at the last minute.

Gee, it sounds like you were ready to drop this child into a real stable

environment. Objection.

Sustained. And so what happened next, Mr. Burnett?

Did you return the child to Arkansas and begin anew your exhaustive research for

the perfect parents?

I placed the baby with the Markowitz's. I spoke to Tammy Harris at every... In

fact, sir, you called three other perfect couples, none of whom happened

home. And when the Markowitz's answered their phone, they suddenly became the

ideal parents, didn't they? It wasn't like that. It was exactly like that. All

of this talk about your detailed process.

And it comes down to you standing in an airport, dialing numbers on a payphone,

and the first couple to say hello gets the kid.

Objection. This man is not on trial here. His credibility is very much on

He was doing everything he could to close the deal, and he has a financial

interest in seeing that the Markowitzes get custody.

Tammy Harris said yes to them. Based on your recommendation to her. The

recommendation was based on the fact that I believe they would provide an

excellent home.

True or false, Mr. Burnett, you spent less than 45 minutes matching this baby

and that birth mother with this couple, didn't you? I spent hours with Tammy

Harris. I spent hours with the Markowitzes. But you matched Tammy

daughter with the Rowlands. And less than 45 minutes after it all falls

you hand the kids to the Markowitzes, didn't you? It may have worked out that

way. Thank you, Mr. Burnett. I have nothing further.

Believe me, nobody feels worse about this disaster than me. I remember seeing

their den before it blew up. Let me tell you, it looked lovely.

Now, Mr. Bradley, did you tell the plaintiff that your company was licensed

install these heating units?

Mr. Bradley?

Well, we gave them that impression, but what we actually said was there was no

licensed contractor more qualified than us. And that really is true.

Thank you, sir. I have nothing further.

Now, this was a forced -air heating system, was it not?

Yes, it was.

And when you installed the new furnace, did you take out the old gas feeds? No,

we didn't. Well, isn't it true, sir, that the kind of gas feeds used in this

house have a known tendency to become corroded or brittle?

Your Honor, due to the unusual dullness of this line of questioning, I'd like

permission to tell a joke.

Objection. Denied. In the alternative, a short riddle, a limerick. No.

Shut down again.

Mr. Pastorini!

Not now, Judge.

Get in my chambers.

Now!

Hi, Michael.

Grace.

Meet Melanie Hayes.

Hi.

Hi. Nice to meet you.

I don't want to interrupt.

I've got a call to make before the afternoon session.

Sit here.

Thanks.

Are you free to get away this weekend?

Some R &R would be good for us.

You really think that's going to make everything okay?

Are you seeing her?

No,

I'm not seeing her.

We had dinner together. It was fun. It was relaxing. It's the kind of thing you

and I should be doing a lot more of. I'm sorry, the fun is in short supply. I'm

a little exhausted, you know. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I know.

This relationship is 100 % voluntary, Mickey.

That's right.

That's what makes it so fragile.

Grace, when we first met...

I want to know where that went.

I don't know.

I have a client to meet.

So do I.

I'm willing to be late for mine.

I can't.

Grace, I want to know why two people who care so much spend so much time beating

each other.

And at five months, the baby knows no other parents than Mr. Markowitz and

Kelsey.

And, Doctor, in your expert medical opinion, what would be the effect of

removing this baby from the Markowitz's custody?

Well, to start with, she could experience serious psychosocial

making it extremely difficult for her to form new attachments with other people.

Her motor skills could regress. Her intellectual development might be

She might even experience the suppression of her immune system.

Would any of the damage be permanent?

It's very possible.

A separation like this could shatter the child's sense of trust to the point

where she might never go back to developing it. She could grow up

indifferent to human attachments.

Now, Doctor, based on your medical training and your observation of the

you have an opinion as to whether she should be taken away from the

It's my opinion that such a separation would be extremely detrimental to the

child. Thank you very much, Doctor.

Nothing further.

There's no scientific evidence to...

support your view that a separation of this type would cause any long -term

to a five -month -old child, is there? There may be no scientific evidence, but

there's plenty of anecdotal information.

But anecdotal information is insufficient to support a definite

conclusion, right?

My opinions are based on years of research, Counselor, as well as my

findings that Tammy Harris would provide an environment of instability for the

child. You ever meet Tammy Harris, Doctor?

Well, not personally, no, but I've read the social worker's report.

But you've never met Tammy Harris, have you?

No, I haven't.

Thank you.

Dr. Nagel, you testified that you observed a bond between the baby and

Kelsey, isn't that right?

Yes. And you also observed a bond between the baby and the Markowitz's

Stella Lee, didn't you?

Yes. And you didn't see any noticeable difference between those two bonds, did

you? The fact that the child also bonded with the nanny does not undermine the

attachment to Miss Kelsey.

I see.

What would happen if the Markowitzes replaced this nanny, as they did the

one? What effect would that have on the child?

It could cause a disruption.

In fact, it could cause all of those things you were talking about.

Loss of trust, insecurity, damage to self -esteem. All of that could happen,

couldn't it?

It's possible, but I don't think it... And, Doctor, in your opinion...

A baby is generally better off with one primary caretaker rather than a rotating

mother -nanny system, right? Well, in general, one primary caretaker is

preferred, yes. Thank you, Doctor. That's all.

Redirect, Your Honor.

Specifically, Dr. Nagel, who is this baby better off with?

The Markowitz's.

Thank you, Doctor.

How much are you being paid for today's testimony, Dr. Nagel? $3 ,000.

And who's paying you?

The Markowitz's.

Thank you.

Did you want the Truex file? I dug it out last night.

Great. I wasn't going to start on it until the weekend.

They're not paying you overtime, Dinah. Don't go giving them your nights. I like

it here.

And home isn't that great these days.

Daryl and I have separated. We're divorcing.

I'm sorry that's sudden.

No, we've been talking about it since Christmas.

Now appears to be the time.

He's found someone to share a place with.

And I'm getting a paycheck, so I can handle the rent on my own. Well, sounds

like you got a plan.

You seem fine about it. Are you?

No.

There's got to be something to do here.

Let's cheer you up. You want to go roller skating?

We'll drive to El Monte, see if Mississippi Burning is less obnoxious,

Spanish.

I shouldn't have said I wasn't fine. I am.

I'm functioning. I'm fine.

Okay.

The Truex file is on the deck on top of the box.

Oh, okay.

Thanks. Sure.

Let's hear it, Miss Perkins.

Your Honor, I have reason to believe that the informant in this case is an

individual by the name of Luis Perez, also known as Luis Cato, also known as

Rosario Cruz.

I also have reason to believe that he is wholly unreliable, and the government's

reliance upon him as a witness should serve to dismiss the indictment against

client.

Mr. Flaherty? Your Honor, it is the policy of the United States Attorney's

Office to neither confirm nor deny the identity of a confidential informant.

When to do so would compromise their security.

Judge, there's a guy named Louis Perez out there. He says he wants to testify.

You knew he was going to show up, didn't you? I didn't know anything of the

kind.

Mr. Perez.

Earlier this week, an individual appeared before a federal grand jury and

accused Frank Weiland of bringing more than 500 kilograms of cocaine into this

country and of ordering the murders of Tyrone Weeks and Clifford Bagley. Are

that individual?

Yeah, I'm him.

Were those charges true?

No. Why'd you make them? I got picked up for possession.

Two stinking rocks.

Mr. Flaherty said I'd get eight to ten, so I gave him what he wanted and he let

me go.

Why are you changing your story now? Believe it or not, I got kids.

And one thing I always tell them, I say, what goes around comes around.

I've been getting high for 20 years.

All I want to do is go straight and not burn nobody no more.

I have no further questions.

Did I ever tell you what to say to that grand jury, Mr. Perez?

The cop that was beating the crap out of me told me. I didn't get his name.

Where'd this beating take place?

An alley off of Hope Street.

You got any medical attention?

No. Any marks you can show us?

Cops don't leave marks.

Dark alley, a nameless cop, and no marks of bruises. Hey, look, I was sick.

You guys had me scared to death.

Well, who's scaring you now, Louie?

Objection! Sustained.

Did Frank Weiland contact you at all prior to this hearing?

No. What? No.

Did he threaten to kill you?

No, nobody threatened me.

What about your kids?

What about my kids?

Did he threaten to kill your kids?

No, nobody threatened to kill my kids.

Anything else, Mr. Flaherty?

Not at the present time, Your Honor.

That being the case, I'm prepared to rule.

I find this informant to be wholly unreliable.

Mr. Flaherty, I believe you actually sought to conceal that fact. I find your

conduct reprehensible and an abuse of the grand jury process.

Accordingly, this indictment is dismissed.

The defendant is free to go.

One thing you have to know about trial lawyers, ladies and gentlemen, they love

to perform.

And if all the world's a stage and all the people are merely players...

then counsel for the defense is one of the best.

He tells jokes.

He sings songs.

I can't even carry a tune, and I have never been very good with jokes.

I got the old gorilla suit out of the closet this morning.

But I have to tell you that on a stage, I'm no match for my

opponent. But I wonder how entertaining...

His jokes would be if someone had been killed or maimed. I wonder how

we'd find his musical numbers if we had been forced to hole up in a hotel for a

month. Well, the fact of the matter is that all the world is not a stage, and

all the men and women are not players.

And this man, this man really lied.

He really endangered the lives of people who trusted him. These people were

really hurt by him.

Now, let's not enjoy ourselves at their expense.

All the funny bits in the world are not going to change the fact that these

people really suffered or relieve us of our obligation to take it seriously.

And do you feel you see evidence of this bonding in the way the baby behaves?

She doesn't like to be held by strangers.

She cries, and when she's given back to me or Stuart, she stops.

Miss Kelsey.

Do you really think this child knows you?

It's so hard to prove my relationship to a person who can't really communicate.

All I can say is, when she sees me, she sees a person who will take care of her.

A person who will love her forever.

She feels comfort.

She feels safe.

The kind of safe that a baby feels with her mother.

Thanks. I have nothing further.

How's your relationship with your mother?

Objection. Studies show that a relationship with a parent directly

the relationship with a child.

I'll allow it. You didn't invite her to your own wedding last year, did you? She

was at my wedding.

That's because she showed up uninvited, right?

My mother and I have had some difficult times, but we've worked them out. Thank

you. How many hours do you work each day, ma 'am?

I'm in the office about five hours a day.

Well, according to your firm's billing records, you've been averaging 39 .7

hours a week for the last two months.

That's 7 .9 hours a day.

I take work home.

Yes, well, the point is, you represented to Mr.

Burnett, and derivatively to Miss Harris, that you'd be putting in half

after you got the baby. Standard work day is eight hours. You've been putting

7 .9.

Big cutback. Those figures are misleading.

Sometimes... You mean you've been billing clients for hours not really

I mean, some of those hours are spent reading at home with Kelsey on my lap.

Oh, yes, that's right.

You have no aversion to bringing work to the baby or baby to the work, do you?

What's that supposed to mean? I mean, you've sometimes brought this child into

the law firm to be babysat by secretaries. That happened in a couple

when we were between nannies.

And did you once use this baby as a device to frustrate an opponent's

deposition? What?

I have here a motion for cost filed against you by attorney John Bryanson,

which he claims you deliberately used this baby...

to protract the discovery process.

That motion is ludicrous, and so are you for trying to take advantage of it. Let

the record reflect the hostility of the witness.

I took the baby to work two days.

Most of the work I do at home is after she's asleep.

Miss Kelsey, what religion do you intend for this child?

We haven't decided yet. You haven't decided whether this person shall be

as a Christian or a Jew? We will decide. We just haven't yet.

In fact, ma 'am, you and your husband cannot agree on this issue, can you?

Answer the question, Miss Kelsey.

No, we don't agree.

Well, that's okay.

It's just religion.

As long as you can concur on the big things like what depositions to use her

for.

Objection! Withdrawn.

You're divorced from a previous marriage, are you not?

Yes.

Mm -hmm.

I have nothing further.

I don't like this. I think I just got killed.

You held up okay, Ann. We knew this guy was going to come after you.

You put me up there, Victor. I'm ready for Mr. Eisenman. I am not putting you

the stand, Stuart.

What are you talking about? How can you not? If I let you testify, Eisenman's

going to grill you the same way.

Victor, how's the judge going to know what I am if I don't testify?

She'll know, because you're doing the closing.

What? What?

You are an attorney of record, Stuart. There is no problem. I'll just inform

court. This way, we get to put you up there before the judge with no risk of

cross -examination.

Victor, I...

I don't... You've never done a closing?

Stuart, this thing is too damn close.

We have used every advantage that we can get. I think a plea from a parent is

going to be a lot more powerful than any argument from counsel.

He may be right, Stuart.

I'll do the closing if you want.

But right now, I think that you're our best shot.

Then I'll do it.

You sure?

I'm very sure.

In the matter of Hillbar v. Bradley, we the jury find in favor of the plaintiff

and order the defendant to pay compensatory damages in the amount of

and punitive damages in the amount of $125 ,000.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank you for your time. Your service is at an

end. This court is now adjourned.

Well done, Michael.

Melanie, about this trial, it was absolutely typical.

Well,

you were wonderful.

I hope we can do this again sometime.

Me too.

Congratulations.

Yeah, I almost managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The gorilla suit was a great idea.

Oh, a desperate act by a desperate man.

I fell in love with you in that monkey suit.

And judging by the look on Melanie Hayes' face during your closing, she did

You have nothing to be jealous about, Grace. Yes, I do.

That's the problem.

If we were really happy together, if we really were in love with each other,

there'd be no reason to be jealous.

I love you, Cusack.

I do.

I always will.

But I think we should take a break from each other.

Grace, don't you think we should work on this?

We've done nothing but work on it.

I love you too, Grace.

So, if we love each other so much, why is this happening?

I don't know.

Maybe, uh... Maybe some time apart.

I promised myself I wouldn't cry.

I have never loved you more.

They may want her, Judge.

But the Markowitz's do not present an ideal household.

Their fundamental differences in religion can only breed instability.

Their work schedules are prohibitive.

Miss Kelsey comes from a failed marriage, a failed relationship with her

mother. Some question exists as to whether she's capable of sustaining any

loving relationship.

Tammy Harris may not be able to pay experts and psychiatrists to testify for

her. But she's ready to be what her child needs most.

A full -time mother.

Not somebody who squeezes in quality time between depositions and partners'

meetings. Not somebody who, as she holds the child on her lap at night, reads

trial transcripts. But somebody to be there.

Every day.

All day.

Tammy Harris's daughter deserves that.

Tammy Harris's daughter deserves Tammy Harris.

We'll probably let her choose her own religion when she's old enough.

And whereas Anne and I may not share the same underlying tenets in our

respective faiths, we both know that any religion starts with the love of God

and commitment to family.

And we have that, Your Honor.

We have that big.

As for this woman's ability to sustain a loving relationship, let me tell you

that the last two years have been the most loving and most meaningful time of

life.

And if this little baby gets half of what I've gotten from this wonderful

person, then her life will be very rich indeed, believe me.

Look, you've heard from us, you've... Excuse me.

Heard from us, you've heard from the psychiatrists.

I just wish you could hear from her.

She would say that her name is Kelsey Markowitz.

And that she lives at 495 Kenter Avenue in Brentwood, California.

And that this is her mother.

And I'm her father.

And we would all just like to go home now.

Are you eating with anybody? Just picking up. I want to talk. Grab that

What are you going to do with that?

I'll have it for dinner.

Listen.

I was dense yesterday.

There's a very obvious way for me to help.

Let me represent you in the divorce.

Jonathan, no.

We're just going to do it ourselves.

There's nothing to split up.

Sure there is.

Furniture? A car?

You want him running off with the dishes?

This was a no -fills marriage. It's going to be a minimalist divorce.

Besides, Daryl and I have been very careful to keep this clean.

I don't want him to think I'm taking advantage of him by rolling in the heavy

artillery. I'm flattered.

Okay.

Promise me a few things. Number one,

you let me go over everything before you sign it.

Two, if it gets at all sticky, you come get me.

Okay. And a third thing.

What? Talk to somebody about this. Because if you don't, you're going to

walking into doors.

All right.

All right.

Ten thousand, huh?

Ten thousand.

Tell you what.

Here's the ten you're asking for.

And here's another ten I just feel like giving you.

Just pay me my fee, Frank.

If I wanted to work for Tip, I'd still be a waitress.

Counselor, counselor.

I really think you could kill children, you know that? What are you talking

about? You threatened Louis Perez.

I didn't have to threaten him.

You know, I can't represent someone that I can't bear to look at. Go find

yourself another lawyer, Frank.

Abby?

Abigail Perkins?

Yes? I'd like you to leave everything exactly the way it is, please.

Stand up, put your hands on your head.

What? I have a warrant for your arrest, ma 'am.

You're being charged with engaging in a monetary transaction involving

criminally derived proceeds.

I'm going to ask you once again, stand up, put your hands on your head.

Would you please stand with your legs apart?

You do this to every lawyer who beats you, Terrence?

Your lawyer broke the law, Frank.

I'm just doing my job.

Since when is it against the law to be paid? To be paid in drug money?

Ever since they passed the Money Laundering Control Act.

And it's always been against the law to threaten a federal witness.

You think I threatened a federal witness?

I know somebody did.

I just can't prove it.

As far as you're taking drug money, though, that I can prove.

Whenever I get a case like this, I secretly hope one of you will turn out

a monster or at least unfit so as to make my decision an easy one. That

didn't happen here.

Miss Kelsey, Mr. Markowitz, Miss Harris, you're all worthy parents, and I have

no reservations about any of your respective abilities to love and care

child.

Which makes this decision all the more difficult.

Economically, the Markowitz's are better positioned.

There's no question.

Nor is there any doubt that a change at this time will traumatize the child,

though there is no proof it will cause any long -term harm.

I'm a working woman.

My children had successive nannies, yet they were loved by their mother and they

knew it.

But when I consider the essence of parenting,

then I must consider who's most likely to provide continuous emotional support.

Who's most likely to be there for the child and be with the child during these

very crucial formative years.

Mr. Markowitz, Miss Kelsey, I know this will cause you devastating

pain. Oh, no.

Unfortunately, that pain cannot factor into my judgment here.

I hereby find the circumstances of Tammy Harris's life too significantly

changed, making reasonable the withdrawal of her consent.

I further grant her petition for habeas corpus.

Bailiff, please deliver the baby to Miss Harris.

Your Honor, could we...

At least have another day to say goodbye.

I'm sorry, Mom.

You have to say your goodbye now.

My honey.

Goodbye, Kelsey.

Be good.

Hi,

Carol. Oops. Hi, Carol. It's your mama.

He's finally back with Mama.