Original subtitles

Previously on L .A. Law. Grace, we're going to be parents.

We owe it to the child to be living.

You've never even told me you love me. But now you suddenly want to make this

lifetime commitment.

They are things! They are just property!

No matter how expensive it is! No matter how much you love it! They will never

love you back!

Since the firm has been operating so efficiently and profitably over the past

two months, I've decided to extend Douglas' term as pro tem senior partner.

For how long?

Indefinitely.

I love Leland McKenzie. I think we all do.

But he's not bringing in new clients, he's not practicing law much, and he has

vested our future with Douglas.

I don't believe I'm saying this, but I think the time has come for a shift in

leadership. To whom?

To me.

That was a betrayal. To go to the others behind my back, that was a betrayal,

you son of a bitch. I got two choices here. Either I can walk away from this

firm or I can stay here and fight for it. I chose the latter. You chose to

me. What's this?

Oh, this is security.

Never know when you might need it.

By the way, you're fired.

What? Don't throw a person out of his job like that, Douglas.

Hey,

the decision's been made.

And if any of you don't like it, I suggest you quit.

This is my firm. And don't you forget that for a second.

Victor, we can be an elite litigation shop, plus which we will decimate the

litigation department at McKenzie Brackman.

Like you really want to take down the firm?

Douglas and Leland declared this war. Victor, not me.

I'm just going to be the one who wins.

Morning.

Excuse me, sir, you need a clearance badge standard. I'm a partner in this

I'm sorry, sir. Take your hands off of me. Now! Nobody enters without

There are two of you. I got four. I don't think you really want this to get

physical here. Excuse me, Michael.

I don't think you want this to get physical.

I have personal things in my office. Not anymore, you don't.

Everything's boxed. Take them and get out. Now, you listen to me, you son of a

bitch. No, you listen. All right. You don't work here anymore.

You're not allowed on these premises until April 28th when you're officially

finally voted out. So pick up your things and take them down to the parking

garage. And I suggest you hurry because there's a tow truck on its way as we

speak to haul your illegally parked car out of the building. What's going on?

Michael and his friends were just leaving.

Say goodbye.

Get the boxes.

I'll be back, Douglas.

Thank you.

Okay, let's all settle in. Never mind settling in, Douglas. Things are very

unsettled. This whole business with the guards is completely out of control. As

I've explained over and over again, if Michael's intention is to steal files...

He is not trying to steal anything. He's not sneaking in here at night. He

attempted lawfully to enter these premises during business hours. Sounds

you've been talking to him, Victor. I have been talking to him, Doug, and I

for a fact that he only wants access to his office...

Honestly and openly.

All right, look. We don't like having to hire guards. Using security to stop

partners from coming in is... I'm ashamed.

But Michael is trying to get files and client phone numbers.

While I respect the fact that he's doing it openly without sneaking in or

without raiding our computers, we still have to stop him. Move along, Douglas.

In re C .J. Lamb.

She's in Palm Springs most of the week giving a seminar to visiting East Block

trial lawyers.

What? It's Zoe's thing, really. She got invited as a guest lecturer and she

roped in CJ because she didn't want to do it alone.

$6 ,000 for lecturing a few Bulgarians and Russians. This is not a bad deal.

Moving on. People versus Morrison.

Trial starts today. I'm still trying to push the plate. Is this the Christian

Science couple? Yeah, I'm looking to cop down a child endangerment, but the DA

wants manslaughter. Why shouldn't he? It's murder. Oh.

They let their three -year -old child die. They didn't want him to die.

I agree with Douglas. They knew the kid was sick. All right, all right. Do we

always have to fight, for God's sakes? Why can't we support one another on

something?

What the hell is wrong with us? We just... What the hell is wrong with us?

Welcome. Over the next few days, we will be focusing on the...

adversarial system of the American judicial process, which you will find

contrasts sharply with that of your Eastern Bloc country. After we go

some basic advocacy drilling over the first two days, we will then actually

conduct a moot court mock trial, where one of you will get to show off your

skills in a courtroom setting. Isn't that exciting?

Okay, first, the opening argument. Excuse me, just one second.

We have to warm up. What are you doing? This is death, Zoe. These people have

paid 7 ,500 bucks for this. They've got to have a little fun.

Good morning, communists!

My name is C .J. Lamb. I am your co -host.

And the first thing that we have to learn about the American system, it's

We jump up. We object. We call each other names.

It's a circus.

Okay, now, after three, I want you all to say...

I object.

And be right out there with it. Okay.

One, two, three.

I object.

Are you lawyers or librarians?

My God, you object in an American courtroom. You have to be heard.

Louder. Okay.

I object.

I object.

Hang your hand on the table. Say it like you mean it. I object.

I object.

Again.

I've got to make one more stab before we go in there, and I want you to listen

good. In 21 cases over the past 10 years, parents like yourselves have been

charged with manslaughter. In all 21, they argued that freedom of religion

guarantees them the right to refuse medical treatment for their children,

all 21, they lost.

You've got to let me argue some kind of insanity.

We'll just say the church had you brainwashed. We are not going to attack

church. Mr. Morrison, the jury is going to need somebody to blame here. If it

ain't the church, it's going to be you and your wife. The choice we made for

Kevin was ours.

No one forced us to do it. If we argue that, you're going to get convicted.

We're not going against our faith.

No.

Do you mind if I had a word alone with your wife?

Karen and I do agree.

Just give me one minute, please.

I don't think you're with him on this.

So I think maybe you should go for a separate trial. At least let's get

lawyer in here. I'm with my husband, Mr. Mullaney.

Karen, this is a murder trial.

I know that.

I also know there's no way I'd survive any of this. Not without Greg.

believe this has happened to us.

The child was brought into ER about midnight.

At that time, his temperature was 104, and his breathing was extremely weak.

Did you make a diagnosis?

He was suffering from acute bacterial meningitis. The membranes covering his

spinal cord and his brain were inflamed. What did you do?

By that point, there was really nothing we could do. We injected him with

massive doses of antibiotics. We tried to stabilize his breathing, but...

It was too late.

He died?

He died. Based on your examination, Doctor, how long had Kevin been ill?

At least three days, maybe longer.

And had his parents sought medical attention for their child earlier, would

have made a difference?

Absolutely.

Bacterial meningitis is curable. In most cases, all you need is penicillin. Is

it possible that Mr. and Mrs. Morrison didn't realize their child was sick?

No, that is not possible.

This child had a disastrous fever. His sheets would have been soaked. He also

would have been vomiting terribly.

This kind of illness can cause massive pain. He had to be suffering, and they

had to know it.

Thank you, doctor. Nothing further.

Doctor, this massive pain or sweating or vomiting, you didn't

see it.

No, but I can assure you... You can assure me? Let's talk about assurances.

it your testimony that penicillin and medical care would have guaranteed

recovery? We can never guarantee it. In fact, many children die from bacterial

meningitis despite proper medical treatment. Isn't that right?

It does happen, certainly. Certainly.

And, Doctor?

Do you believe that the mental state of a patient can affect his recovery?

It can be a factor. In fact, many doctors believe that the immune system

compromised by stress and depression and fortified by hope and optimism.

That's anecdotal. There's no scientific evidence.

But you do believe that there is a body -mind connection in healing, don't you?

As I said, it can be a factor, but I... Yes.

And doctor?

During the course of this emergency and its aftermath, you had occasion to meet

with my clients, didn't you?

Yes. And did you find them to be anything other than loving, devoted

cared desperately for their little boy?

No, I did not.

Thanks, Doctor.

That's all I have.

Michaels fired his first two scuds, Leland, and they both hit. What are you

talking about? He went into court this morning with Earl Williams, ex parte,

dissolved our attachment in his house, a $300 ,000 attachment.

How the hell could he do that? By representing to the court that the value

his legal services tended to Earl was 20 ,000 tops. Then he went to Brentwood

Federal, the bank that gave us the half -million line of credit because of the

attachment, showed them the court papers, told them who knows what about

solvency. The bottom line is, the bank recalled the loan. We have to come up

with $262 ,000 immediately.

Bastard! He also withdrew $50 ,000 out of a cash reserve, which practically

empties it. Now, that is larceny. He claims it's an advance on the $150 we

him in capital.

Excuse me. Do you have a minute?

No, it's important.

Come on in.

These are our respective resignations.

Michael Kuzak has opened up a law office.

And the four of us have decided to go with him.

We don't mean for this to be an abandonment.

We'll stay here and work for you as long as you want.

Until you can find replacements.

How can you do this? Leland, Victor, Michael, and I would be name partners in

litigation specialty firm. It would be White Collar, Rico.

It's something we've always wanted. It would be a challenge we want to accept.

Abby and I have been offered junior partnerships.

Like Victor said, though, we will stay and work.

as long as you want us.

Oh, now, come on. Can't we all just sit down and discuss this?

You're all fired.

Effective immediately.

Come on now, Doug.

You need this place to operate, and Victor... It has to be the same for you

for Michael.

We can't allow you to stay and cultivate clients.

It would ruin us.

Please collect your things and be gone by the end of business tomorrow.

Excellent. Very good indeed.

Shake that pencil.

Tongue slightly out over top lip. This may feel silly, but you really are doing

something. Now, this tells the jury that your wheels are spinning.

You've thought of something important.

American trial law is 50 % performance. Never forget that.

Okay, when I say now, the witness will have just said something you believe to

be a gross exaggeration.

Now.

Perfect. Okay, I'm going to ask the witness something about your client.

And she responds, that man is a complete idiot.

But the judge says, overruled.

But the judge, he is a horrible judge, and he says no.

Mr. Orwalski, what do you do? Please, Your Honor, prejudicial.

You're firing spitballs at a tiger tank. You have to be more aggressive.

Sure, Mr. Chang.

Your Honor, chambers now.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Bastard.

Impeachment.

We're way ahead of schedule.

Let's go to the pool.

Pool time, everybody.

Mr.

Morrison, how long have you been a Christian scientist?

All my life.

I was raised that way. And would you explain for the jury why it is that

of your faith refuse medical treatment?

Well, basically we believe that healing should be accomplished spiritually, that

the presence of God and the power of prayer should break hold of the disease.

Well, that's fine, but why not take a little medicine anyway just to be safe?

Because resorting to medical technology is seen as a distrust of the faith.

Now, I want you to tell us what you did after Kevin got sick.

Well, we, of course, prayed.

And when he seemed to get worse, we called a practitioner.

What's a practitioner?

Somebody licensed by the church to treat others with spiritual healing.

And what did the practitioner do?

She, uh... She assisted us with our prayers.

Over the next couple of days, Kevin got worse.

We called the practitioner again, and she gave us the same advice.

Karen wanted to take him to the hospital, but I resisted her.

But eventually she did take him to the hospital, didn't she? She couldn't bear

it any longer.

Kevin was in so much pain.

Mr. Morrison, why did your son die?

Because we were weak.

Because we didn't trust God enough to heal him.

Do you have any other kids?

No.

I have nothing further.

Two years ago, you were admitted to Sinai Hospital. It was a broken thumb.

You were treated, your thumb was set in a cast, and you left. Is that right? The

church permits receiving treatment for broken bones.

Oh, is that a loophole?

Objection. You had a bone broken in your thumb, and you went running to the

doctors. Your son is ticked with a life -threatening meningitis, vomiting, in

pain, and you just let him lie there? He had had fevers before, and he had been

healed by prayer. How is your thumb, Mr. Morrison?

You're a very intelligent man, Mr. Morrison.

You run a small publishing company, extremely well -read. Is there a

here? Oh, yes, there is. You had to know, you had to, that medical treatment

could have saved him. And you did nothing?

If you had it to do all over again, would you take your boy to the hospital?

I don't know.

Oh, God.

You don't know?

I have nothing further.

What'd you say?

Compound questions, right?

Witness says he heard him shout. Judge

says no, he will admit.

All right, all right.

These court officers obviously want to admit these finical orders into

What do we say?

Miss Clemens, could I talk to you?

Sir. What the hell is going on?

This is supposed to be an intense three -day workshop.

You've got your entire class out here in the pool.

Well, Tom, they've come a long way. They're in California. They should have

fun. These people are lawyers who paid a lot of money and traveled a great

distance to learn about American jurisprudence.

Now, the other 260 students are doing that. They're in marathon classes,

tests, getting lectures.

Yours are out here in the hotel pool drinking pina coladas. We feel they are

learning. Well, you better hope so.

Tomorrow, you're going to have to put one of them in front of three California

Supreme Court justices who plan on being tough.

What? The moot court. Your section goes tomorrow.

I thought I would be playing the judge in the moot court. I don't know where

got that.

We have three high court jurors here to do it. It's a theory of thing.

Have you got your class ready? Of course.

They're ready.

Nobody will lose their jobs.

Payroll will not be interrupted.

Business will continue in its normal course. Management anticipated and

for this contingency. And the situation is well in control.

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. We are in the process of

interviewing new lawyers, which process has been ongoing for several weeks. So

everybody relax. This is not a big deal.

Douglas, please.

Not a big deal at all.

I've set up a hearing in front of Judge Lobel.

Tomorrow afternoon.

I want to get an injunction.

Prevent them from working for any of our clients.

I also want a $3 million lawsuit filed. Breach of contract, fiduciary duty.

Let's shut them down before they even get started.

Who do you want handling the motion? Outside counsel. I want the heaviest

we can get.

I want them pummeled.

I've headed up the Department of Oncology for the last seven years at the

University Hospital San Diego. And, Dr. Leb, do you employ or consult with

spiritual healers?

No, I do not.

Why not?

Because I'm a doctor.

I believe in Western medicine.

Okay. Have you ever had a patient who benefited medically from prayer and

alone? Yes, I have.

Could you tell us about him?

He was a 45 -year -old man, heavy smoker, diagnosed with inoperable lung

What was his prognosis?

We gave him six months maximum.

We tried radiation on him, but it didn't have any effect.

Three months later, he came in for an examination.

The cancer was completely gone, no evidence of it whatsoever.

How could this be?

I have absolutely no idea.

He said he had been treated by a spiritual healer, that he had prayed a

this got rid of the cancer?

I'm as dumbfounded as you are, counsel.

I did some research after this, and I found thousands of documented cases

diseases, some of them fatal, had been cured by prayer.

As a scientist, I wanted to dismiss it, but we cannot.

So, as a physician and an oncologist, it is your professional opinion that

spiritual healing can be successful.

It's not just my opinion.

It's the majority opinion in world societies.

And more and more Western doctors are now recognizing that you cannot separate

the state of the body from the condition of the spirit.

You simply cannot.

Thank you, doctor.

Nothing further.

Doctor, if you were confronted with a patient with cancer that was operable,

would you ever send them to a spiritual healer in lieu of surgery?

No. How about as an alternative to chemotherapy or radiation?

No. And given the sentence that Kevin Morrison was experiencing due to his

meningitis, do you find it acceptable for his parents not to have sought

attention?

I ask you a question, Doctor. Do you find their refusal to seek medical

attention acceptable?

No, I do not.

Thank you, Doctor.

I have nothing further.

Mr. Mullaney? The defense rests, Your Honor. Mr. Gold? Your Honor, I exercise

right to recall Mrs. Karen Morrison.

Ten o 'clock tomorrow.

We are adjourned.

Why didn't you

tell me?

How could we?

We couldn't. You're a partner.

You have the fiduciary responsibility.

You know the spiel, Ann.

You, um... You guys didn't want Stuart and me to come with you, huh?

It's strictly a litigation firm.

We wanted you, but we didn't think you'd come without Stuart.

Plus, there really isn't enough cash flow for a lot of partners.

Uh -huh.

I'm so sorry, Anne.

I feel so betrayed.

How in God's name can you go into a private practice with Michael and

You're involved with the one you used to be involved with the other.

Well, the truth is, I'm only going to be there until the baby's born.

They just need my name for marquee value just while they set up.

Ex -judge, ex -DA.

And I'll get ownership interest for life for just six months' work.

So when the baby's born, you're out?

Basically.

I want to take at least a year, maybe two, and this deal

allows me to do that.

He could have cut a deal here.

And there's going to be a war here, and Victor

will be one of the enemies.

I sleep with him.

I'm going to have his baby.

We could even get married.

How could I possibly work here with all of you going against him?

I've really loved working with you.

AJ, wake up.

CJ, CJ, wake up.

We have overslept. It is 9 o 'clock. We are in trouble.

Why? Because we had an 8 o 'clock class set up. We're an hour late. We have moot

court at 1 o 'clock and our class knows nothing except how to get jailed for

contempt. Calm down, please. I can't calm down. And what have you done to

men? Nothing.

That's Joel and Rowan, two of us Jews.

The Bulgarian brothers?

Yeah, Joel left his key in his room, Rowan lost his, and there was nobody at

desk, and we got back from the clock. Which was when?

5 a .m.

Trust me, Zoe, nobody showed up at 8 o 'clock.

Great. We have a moot court in front of three California Supreme Court justices,

and you keep the class out dancing till dawn.

He said it was hammer time. What could I do?

Who are we going to put up there? Who the hell knows enough to bluff it in

of three Supreme Court judges?

Me. That's who.

What? They don't know me, including that Wodkins, so I'll put on a suit, my best

Polish accent, I'll be brilliant, and you'll get the prize for best teacher.

Do you have any O .J.? We cannot do this. This is fraud. This is wrong. It's

lie. We have no choice. Not only do our students not know anything, they're also

completely hungover.

And that one looks dead.

I am never taking you on another trip.

Never.

We've got to move, Douglas.

Tommy just called from court. He found out from the clerk's office that Michael

Cusack is bringing an ex parte motion to dissolve this firm. What?

11 o 'clock, Division 3. He must have found out about our motion this

and he decided to hit first. Yeah, notify all the partners. I want

my office now.

Well, Arnie's got his therapy session this morning. Get him the hell out of

therapy. We've got to block that motion.

I'll try to keep this very brief, ma 'am. I know this whole ordeal is...

Difficult.

Why did you take your three -year -old son to the emergency room that night?

Because he was dying.

But if you truly believed he could be healed spiritually, why did you take him

to a hospital?

Because... Because the prayers weren't working. He wasn't getting

better. No, he wasn't.

In fact, you didn't think the prayers were working two days before that, isn't

that right?

Didn't you have a yelling argument with the Christian science practitioner in

which you screamed at her, this isn't working?

Didn't you?

Yes. And you told her this child needs to be hospitalized.

And she told me to just keep praying, to have faith.

But you didn't have faith. And you just sat by as he got worse. His temperature

climbed to 104. You did nothing. As he got closer to death, you did nothing to

save your own son.

Do you believe you did the right thing?

I have nothing further.

Miss Lambroski, you are the class representative of... Section 14, Miss

class. How would you define hearsay?

Out -of -court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter stated.

exception to the rule?

Confessions, admissions, former testimony, judgment... Former testimony.

Always... Admissible.

The declarant must be unavailable.

The parties being offered against must have had opportunity to cross -examine.

All right, Ms. Lambroski.

You may sit down.

I would like to speak to Mr.

Li Chang.

Objection. Ms.

Lambroski was the designated representative.

Yes, and she's very clearly in command of the rules of evidence, so I'd like to

give another student a chance. I wasn't told this. Ms. Clemens!

We want to give somebody else a try.

Step up, Mr. Chang.

God help me.

Now, how would you go about crossing, say, an expert pathologist who has

testified against you in a mad malpractice?

Foundation fast.

attack his skill, whip him up, move in for kill, confront him with my own

reports, move to strike his chief report.

Your Honor, these were teaching techniques used to expedite... Is that

Maybe we should go back to meet. Sit down. Sitting down, here I go. Mr.

explain exactly what you've learned from these cute little limericks. No rhymes.

Just tell us.

Basically, Your Honor, approach witness on foundation first, impeach his

expertise. Then I show him my report to establish and give evidence to the jury

of existence of contradictory opinions.

Finally, I try to establish his bias or predisposition to undermine his

credibility with the jury.

And if none of this succeeds in discrediting the witness?

I have a nice rap number.

A rap number?

Your Honor, under the agreement, if any partner leaves, the firm is deemed to be

dissolved. Here we have two partners who have left. Why are you here, ex parte,

counsel? Why couldn't you have given your other partners notice?

I had no guarantee that they wouldn't liquidate their assets, Your Honor, in

which case... Your Honor, Jack Soller is appearing for Mackenzie Brackman,

opposing Mr. Cusack's motion.

I object to that.

The litigation...

This department is practically wiped out. Ann Kelsey's a litigator.

Tommy Mullaney's a litigator.

Stuart Markowitz has litigation experience, as does C .J. Lamb.

And then, of course, there's me.

You? Yes, Your Honor. As of this morning, I've signed on with Mackenzie

for a two -month period, during which time I will perform the duties as head

litigation and assure that clients' needs are met. And I'm much better than

guy, Your Honor. All right. Objection, with all due respect to this man's

arrogance. This isn't about my arrogance, Cusack. It's about your

Your criminal attempts to undermine... All right, both of you, both of you, be

quiet.

Mr. Cusack, I want your stated reasons why you think this firm should go into

receivership. Because I don't trust them.

An independent receiver... Oh, listen to you, the model of trust. Both of you,

be quiet.

Ten o 'clock tomorrow, we'll conduct an evidentiary hearing.

Mr. Cusack, you can take the stand and give your reasons.

Mr. Follers, you can cross -examine.

Oh, boy.

See you all tomorrow.

Hi, Grace. Good to see you.

You look great.

I don't feel great.

This is not the way I wanted to do this. We told you, Michael. We didn't want to

do anything that betrayed you. I told you this was going to be a war and you

were going to have to let me fight. You never make this business about

dissolving the firm. I didn't know they were going to slap an injunction on us.

Look, I know you guys don't want to be heavies. I appreciate that. But

somebody's got to be. We're going to get tasted here.

So just let it be me.

It's over, isn't it? We've lost.

Well, not yet. The doctor's testimony went a long way for us. Don't forget

How could you admit those things?

How could you renounce the church like that?

I didn't renounce the church. I just said I had doubts, that's all. Doubts

enough, Karen. You should know that by now.

My doubts, is that it, Greg? I didn't say that. My lack of trust is what

Kevin. I didn't say that. But you think it! Karen, you don't know what I... I

can't do this anymore, Greg.

I can't. I can't go on hating myself, being blamed by you. I can't. I don't

blame you, Karen.

I blame myself.

When you grabbed him and took him to the hospital, I...

I was relieved. I was... I was glad.

Why didn't we take him to a doctor?

Please, honey.

More and more, doctors admit every day the connection between the spirit and

body, it's something.

Now, the Christian scientists have believed this for years. This isn't a

voodoo religion, ladies and gentlemen. We're talking about a church that is

established in 37 countries with almost 2 ,000 functioning congregations

in this nation alone.

The Christian science religion is very real.

And it is very much on trial here today.

Now, the prosecution wants you to convict because he says this religion is

unreasonable.

Oh, boy.

Does anybody here know of a religion that's reasonable?

I mean, the whole thing about faith.

It starts up where reason leaves off.

Now, when little Kevin got sick...

They did not sit by and do nothing.

They simply refused Western medicine and resorted to their own form of healing,

prayer. They called the practitioner to their house. They were active. They were

reactive. They wanted this little boy to live, and every one of us knows that.

It didn't work.

They lost their child.

It's a tragedy, of course.

But they are not criminals, ladies and gentlemen.

You know that.

The only question you have to ask yourselves, was it reasonable for them

do what they did? To exalt their own religious beliefs at the expense?

of an innocent child.

Both these defendants are college -educated people. They know full well

taken Kevin to the hospital when he first got sick, he'd be alive.

By her own testimony, Karen Morrison says she had doubts that prayer would

She even argued those doubts, and she still, she still didn't take her child

treatment until it was too late.

How can she stand here and say that her religious beliefs are reasonable when

deep down she didn't entertain those beliefs at all?

A little boy got sick with a very curable disease.

It progressed to be life -threatening, and they let him die.

How can anyone, human or divine, ever forgive that?

Management is no longer capable of operating the firm's affairs.

A receiver must be appointed to protect its assets.

Miss Van Owen and I have over $200 ,000 of capital in the firm. Naturally, we

want to see that capital preserved.

And why is this firm in so much danger?

Well, first off, the cash crisis. The bank has just called in its line of

credit.

Also, there are several major clients, such as Ricky Davis, Jefferson

Properties, and Miles & Associates, who are refusing to pay their bill. And

there are other clients, such as Dallas Smith, Fred Stanfield, and Donald

Margot, who are all threatening to leave.

What else, Mr. Cousin? The litigation department has been decimated, and 70 %

the current caseload is in that department.

Well, they still have seven lawyers left.

This law firm is in total chaos, Your Honor.

The senior partner is handing over his authority to the managing partner while

claiming to still be in charge.

Then you have C .J. Lamb, an associate who is getting 40 % of her business.

that's like having a one -person firm functioning within the firm. Have you

heard of anything like this? They claim that deal is beneficial to the firm.

It's like putting Band -Aids on bullet wounds.

And the head divorce lawyer has just had a psychiatric breakdown. He's

undergoing therapy.

There are security guards running all over the building. The place is a mess.

Your Honor, the court has got to appoint an independent receiver to take control

here. Thank you very much, Mr. Kuzak. Nothing further, Your Honor?

Well, well, well, the firm is a mess.

Isn't it true, Mr. Cusack, that the reason Brentwood Federal called in its

is because you went to this bank and told them they better do that? I had

certain concerns about the firm's solvency. I was very candid with the

went before a court. You got a real estate attachment dissolved, which

attachment was critical.

To the McKenzie -Brackman line of credit. Then you went to the bank. Isn't

right, Mr. Cusack? Right. You also represented in a court of law that a

legal work performed by you for one Earl Williams should be reduced from $400

,000 to $20 ,000? I did the work. I determined its value.

It was a major murder trial.

You exhausted every appeal all the way to the California Supreme Court for $20

,000? What were you charging?

Nickel and Allen? Well, it was my case. I was the billing attorney. You lied

about the value of your work in order to make Mackenzie Brackman lose its line

of credit.

Objection. Overruled. And now these clients who are supposedly refusing to

have you talked to any of these clients, Mr. Cusack? I didn't solicit them. They

called me.

I'll bet.

You'd never try anything underhanded, would you, Mr. Kruzak?

Objection. It's a thing. Your Honor, this man's already been suspended by the

state bar once.

Objection. He's been held in contempt more times than I can count. He's

devoid of any ethical responsibility.

Mr. Sellers.

Objection. Withdrawn.

Identify this for me, Mr. Kruzak.

It's a piece of stationery.

Reading.

Cusack Van Owen and Cifuentes, a partnership at law.

Grace Van Owen and Victor Cifuentes left Mackenzie Brackman Tuesday, and here

you are with new stationery for another firm already?

How can you not be guilty of tampering? Move to strike. You better watch it,

Jack. Careful, Mike. I'm facing you. Let me put my back to you.

Here, go on. Get me now.

Objection! Your Honor, I'm only just beginning.

I said I've heard enough.

I want a list of both sides' prospective candidates for receivers.

If I decide to go that route, I'll make my decision by two o 'clock.

Until then, take it outside.

Oh, God.

Oh, well, uh, keep me informed, won't you, Abby, eh?

Yeah. All right, love.

Just take care of yourself and don't worry so much.

Bye.

The entire firm is under siege and they're all in court today. Oh, God.

Well, well, well.

Miss Lambraski now speaks with a British accent.

I know who you are, Miss Lam. I saw the hotel register and I did some checking.

Tom, I'm sorry. You don't understand.

I'm very pleased.

I beg your pardon?

Your 30 students, every one of them, have already re -enrolled for next

workshop. You've got to be kidding.

Oh, you've hit on something.

Rambo litigators.

Poolside classes. We can sell it as kind of a vacation package.

But, uh, we need you.

We would be paid more money, of course.

It's negotiable.

Yes, well, before we even consider it, I think we need a little R &R.

So, the sun is out, drinks are in hand, but you're still sitting there making

shadows.

Enjoy your day. And let me know.

And you said you'd never take me on another trip.

Huh.

Considering all the evidence, plus a little information from independent fact

-finding, I find that most of the chaos at this firm was in fact created by

Michael Cusack.

Going to the bank, going to court, willfully misrepresenting the value of

legal services, tampering with lawyers. I know now why you win most of your

trials. And it's for life on the home front.

The musical chair stuff with a senior partnership.

The loss of all your litigators as private profit -sharing deals.

It is a mess.

I don't know whether the place should be put into receivership. The only way I

can know is to appoint a temporary receiver for ten days and let him make

determination.

I've gone over the two lists of independent lawyers and businessmen

you both as prospective receivers.

But I'll tell you.

I've decided to go with my own man.

Now, this person, unfortunately, has a past relationship with your firm. He is,

however, in possession of the best business sense that I have ever

And I don't think his past association will pose any insurmountable conflicts.

Bring him in, please.

Now, you're going to give him an office, and you're going to give him access to

every letter, every file, every bill, every computer disk in your firm.

And I present to you your new leader, Mr.

David Meyer.

I don't think this is wise, Your Honor. It's very wise.

I trust him. For the next ten days, this man will run McKenzie, Brackman,

Cheney, Cusack, and Becker. That's all.

We're adjourned.

People, people, people.

Madam foreperson, has the jury reached a verdict? We have.

What say you? In the matter of the people versus Gregory Morrison on the

of involuntary manslaughter, we find the defendant not guilty.

In the matter of the people versus Karen Morrison on the charge of involuntary

manslaughter, we find the defendant guilty.

Oh, my God.

Your Honor, move to poll the jury on Karen Morrison's verdict.

Members of the jury.

When the clerk calls your name, please state your own finding.

Adelstein.

Guilty. Cameron.

Guilty. Feldman.

Guilty.

Mathey. Guilty.

Miller.

Guilty. Plin.

Guilty.

Norvette.

Guilty.