Original subtitles

Stand up, those seats are for clients.

I'm a client.

I am.

I'm a client.

Oh, my mistake.

You look so young, I thought you were one of our new associates.

The rest of you, let's go.

This is the executive floor.

You will only come up here if invited.

That's the partner's conference room and those are the partners.

This stairway over here leads to the offices of S.T.R.

Lorry.

My office is.

They are off limits to associates unless invited and you won't be invited.

That's right, they're letting you play lawyer, Marissa.

How nice.

Fucking prick.

This is someone from H.R.

Jenny Clay, hello.

She will take over from here.

Any questions, ask her.

Welcome to Reddick Lockhart & Associates.

Why don't we go downstairs and we'll get better acquainted.

That's not an answer.

Adrian founded this firm.

He is not easily replaced.

No one here is trying to replace him, but some of us

are more than ready to step up to a name partnership.

We're considering everything.

I'd like to understand the new leadership structure.

Diane and I are going to run the firm together for now.

Just the two of you.

A black firm being run by a white woman.

Well, I'm not running it alone.

I mean, I'm here to assist Liz.

Really?

Because she needs assistance.

As we pass this around, I want everybody to

take some, as much or as little as you want.

Tomorrow you'll meet your direct supervisors here at Reddick & Lockhart.

Also, please be sure to bring two copies of ID with you as

they will be required to complete your onboarding paperwork.

It's an icebreaker.

For every square you take you have to tell a secret about yourself.

Good.

Now we'll go around.

Introduce yourself.

And for every square of toilet paper you have

to say one personal thing about yourself.

Of course, there's going to be a discussion.

Is this the discussion?

Because I feel like it's just the two of you telling us what's what.

Okay, we hear you and we are going to get back to you.

I promise.

But right now, our priority is hiring a senior associate.

I'm not convinced we need one.

Well, Luca was one of our best.

And we need someone with real experience to take on her caseload.

Unless one of you would like to step up and take over family law.

Uh-huh.

That's what I thought.

Do you know Omar Peters?

I don't.

He's a really good headhunter.

I think I'm going to get him looking, if that's okay with you.

Sounds good.

Look at you two working in lockstep.

What do you need, David?

Which one of you is taking Bozeman's office?

We hadn't discussed it.

Well, discuss.

The corner office can't just sit empty.

Looks like failure.

Friday.

Tell us by Friday.

And there are new hires awaiting marching orders.

I have a client meeting.

We'll discuss it.

Marissa Gold, originally from Chicago.

Chicago, Kent.

I'm first year law clinic.

And your secret?

Secret.

I used to be married to a mime, but it didn't work out, so...

Thank you, Marissa.

I usually just make sure.

Carmen?

Carmen Moyo, Victorville, California.

And your secrets?

Secret.

I hate games.

Hey, I need to interrupt.

Hello everybody, you can keep your seats.

This is Liz Reddick, one of our two named partners.

So we're all going to have a chance to get to know each other a little bit later,

and everybody will have a mentor.

Hey!

Hi!

All right, but today we are fulfilling client maintenance.

We regularly check in with our most valuable clients.

And so I'm going to call their names off on this list, and

if any of you feel a particular interest, just let me know.

James Rothberg, Adele Development.

I guess we've all heard of him.

All right, you, okay?

You're going to go find partner Madeline Guilford, and she will supervise you.

Next, Bobby Lafarge, CFL headquarters, okay?

You, I want you to go find partner John Wilson.

And Oscar Rivey, Menard Correctional Center.

I guess we've all heard of him.

Menard is maximum security.

You will be very well protected.

Good, good, good.

You're going to be working with partner Barry Pope.

Okay?

Great, thank you.

Why was this summons sent to you?

I don't know.

Is it bad news?

No, not necessarily.

I'll be fighting the same case in two different courts.

But this case has only one plaintiff, so if we win,

it sets a helpful precedent for the large case.

And if all of the plaintiffs can't even agree on a venue, well, that's good for us.

All I did was teach these people's kids during COVID.

No good deed.

Um, this is Phoebe.

She's one of my associates.

Hello, Miss Hedger.

She will go with you to court today.

Phoebe, she has an 11 a.m.

with Judge Wackner.

But shouldn't you go, Diane?

Oh, it's just a formality.

I need to stay here and work on your brief.

I assure you, you're in good hands, ma'am.

Oh, there's Marissa, remember?

She investigated your case last year.

Marissa, we need a continuance on Tony Hedger's case.

Really?

I get to argue a continuance?

No.

You get to accompany Phoebe, who'll argue a continuance.

And you get to hold the client's hand.

Okay?

Okay.

Carmen, right?

I don't want you to be intimidated.

He can sense fear.

We have a half hour, but we don't need more than 10 minutes.

There'll be a translator in the room, reveal, let us know his complaints.

We listen.

We never commit.

Are you taking notes?

Yes.

There's basically nothing we can do for him.

It's more like a venting session.

There's no need for you to talk.

At all.

Okay, he's ready.

Sit, listen, leave.

But your ID expired?

What?

I can't let you in.

Your license expired three weeks ago.

Well, I couldn't renew it during the pandemic.

Can't you just... No.

I can do this.

Not alone you can't.

Sit, listen, leave.

I can do that.

I think we're lost.

Hey Gage, which court is Judge Wackner in?

Judge which?

Wackner.

Ninth Circuit?

Yeah, we have an 11 a.m.

summons.

There's no Judge Wackner here.

What are you doing?

Asking directions.

Yeah, the Ninth Circuit, courtroom 305, 11 a.m., Judge Wackner.

What?

Look, it's not the Ninth Circuit, it's the 9 and 3 quarters circuit.

Oh, come on.

It's a Harry Potter joke.

Yeah, I get that.

Funny.

Wild goose chase.

Time to go home.

So, do we think this is the plaintiff just messing with us?

I'm not sure ma'am, but we'll call right away.

Wait.

What?

What is this?

A treasure hunt?

This is not right.

Hey.

Wait, I'm calling Diane.

We have an 11 o'clock summons.

We're five minutes late.

I'm not going down that alley to some hidden court.

Okay, I'll check it out and call you.

Now where?

I don't know, what happens in Harry Potter?

They run their cart at a barrier or something and they pop through.

Okay, so a barrier.

We look for a barrier.

I feel like we should leave breadcrumbs or something.

9 and 3 quarters?

Uh, yes.

Through there.

Thanks.

We agreed on two minutes.

You had two minutes and that's it.

There's no more.

Stop, stop, stop.

I just want one person speaking.

Your honor, you said I had two uninterrupted minutes to speak.

And he had two minutes.

I timed them.

I have 30 more seconds.

Okay, stop it, stop it.

How do we break a tie?

Come on.

One, two, three.

Good.

Rock over scissors.

Closing arguments are done.

Give me about 10 minutes, I'll have a decision.

Take a break.

Are you my 11 o'clock?

Uh, I don't know.

We have a summons.

Come on in.

You're late.

Uh, sorry, but is this a real court?

Yeah, get ready.

Ready, your honor.

Um, your honor, defense counsel asks that the court grant a continuance until such

time as we've been able to... You're defense counsel.

Why do you refer to yourself in the third person?

I'm not actually licensed to practice law here.

I'm not actually licensed to be a judge.

So we're in the same boat.

Mr. Schultz, please call your first witness.

Ready, your honor.

Uh, wait.

Can I object?

You can.

Overruled.

Mr. Schultz calls... Your honor, let me call the real lawyer.

I'm not a real lawyer.

What's your name?

Marissa.

Marissa.

You understand the issues in this case?

Uh-huh.

You believe in your client?

Yeah.

You have the summons?

Yeah, here.

What else you need?

Let's go.

What is this?

I have no idea.

What do you want to do?

Well, look, that's one of the parents suing me.

If we walk out, we lose.

Why are you whispering?

You don't think we can hear you?

Is there another lawyer with you?

I'm Carmen Moyo.

Is there another lawyer to represent me?

Mr. Rivi, I'm here to make sure the prison's providing everything you're entitled to.

How is the prison staff treating you?

The Wi-Fi's back.

He doesn't like the food.

It upsets his stomach.

He asked if he's... He asked if he's...

Sí?

This is not for you to say, miss.

The prison has ordered that I translate.

The prison will hear of this.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Good to see the state of the clients.

What do you need?

Very interesting.

What do you need?

Hey, you look great, Caleb.

California sunshine.

How's the weather there?

Warm and balmy.

Oh, here's Liz now.

I didn't tell her you became available, so she'll be surprised.

Yes, she will.

Liz, look who the headhunter dragged in.

Yeah.

Hey, Caleb.

How are you?

Good, Liz.

How are you?

Good.

Yeah.

Where are you?

Santa Barbara.

I've been out here for the pandemic.

My family's here.

Oh, and are they good?

Yeah, healthy.

Good.

Thank you.

Good.

You look good.

Thank you.

So do you.

I was surprised to get the call... Oh, I'm sorry.

Go ahead.

No, no, no.

No, no.

You were saying something about you were surprised.

Yeah, I was surprised to get the call about this position opening.

Oh, yes.

I think our headhunter is just looking for people that we are familiar with.

Okay.

Well, I would love to be given a hearing.

And we'd love to give it to you.

How do you do with family law?

Uh-oh.

I better take this.

You two talk.

Look, I understand that this is a bad idea.

When I got the call, I thought it was you reaching out.

Oh, I should have reached out.

I just...

You know, things ended so... Weird.

...abruptly.

You're in the room alone, right?

Uh, yes.

Look, can we, um... Can we just act like we never slept with each other?

Can you?

I'm the employee.

Of course I can.

Well, do you really...

You really want the job?

I do.

I liked the firm.

I liked what the firm stood for.

Okay.

Okay, well, we will, um... Let us talk about it.

Good.

And, Liz, if it doesn't work out, I get it.

No hard feelings.

Oh, okay.

Start again.

What?

There's a court behind the court that's adjudicating Hetcher's case.

I don't understand.

Is it a mediation court?

No, it's a court someone invented.

Well, then I...

Why are we there?

Because the plaintiff is there with an attorney.

But, wait... If it has no power and it has no jurisdiction, what does it have?

A judge and a robe?

I'm suing because she said she would educate our kids during the pandemic.

But it didn't turn out like we expected.

You contacted the defendant, Tony Hetcher, when the public schools closed down.

Yes.

We heard she was a private school teacher who had started this company, Poducation.

It was going to be a small group of kids, all

COVID-safe, so that they wouldn't fall behind.

So, what was the problem?

We didn't know she'd be teaching socialism.

Oh, please.

You'll get your turn.

Could you elaborate?

Suddenly my daughter came home judging us.

She calls me a Karen.

She said that we were useless, rich people who reinforce white supremacy.

She said we were like the family from Parasite, who

don't even see people suffering right under their necks.

So all you're asking is that your $60,000 for the year be refunded?

Exactly.

Sounds reasonable.

Objection.

On what grounds?

The judge can decide for himself what is reasonable.

He doesn't need you to decide for us.

Come on.

Actually, that's a good point.

I don't need your call to commentary, Counselor.

Sustain.

Any other questions?

No, Your Honor, but just so you know, I wasn't trying to influence you.

Don't dig yourself deeper.

Just sit down.

Okay, you.

Go.

Your Honor, my Chief Counsel is in transit.

If you could give us 20 minutes.

No, but I can rule right now if you're not ready to go.

Nope.

We're ready.

So, ma'am.

Good morning.

Hello.

You claim that you...

What again?

That my client is teaching socialism.

Yes, and I didn't sign up for that.

Your Honor, this is a sorry state of affairs.

Mr. Schlepp.

Schultz?

Schultz.

Right.

He says he hopes you find justice.

Well, I think that's what we're all looking for.

And as George Clooney so eloquently put it, after the tragic

death of Princess Diana, who should we see about that?

Miss Hedger?

Is she the proper focus of our choir?

Kid, look, I hate speeches.

Unless I'm giving them, and even then I'm just trying to stall.

So...

And if you have nothing to ask the witness, sit the hell down.

This is not the kind of court where you can just run off the clock.

Miss Fulton.

When did you realize that my client was teaching socialism?

When my daughter went on about Parasite.

I see.

And she got that from my client's school?

From her pod, yes.

That's why I want my $60,000.

So your daughter loved that movie, Parasite?

She did.

But you didn't?

It was alright.

I mean, the ending was a bit... violent.

Yeah.

It upset me.

All that knifing on the lawn.

Awful.

So you and your daughter must have had different

reactions when it won the Academy Award for Best Picture?

We did.

She was dancing around rubbing my nose in it.

Ah-ha!

The Academy Awards were held in February of 2020, a month before schools shut down.

If your daughter thinks you're like the people in Parasite, she couldn't have

gotten that from Miss Hedger because the teaching pod didn't get it.

Objection!

Counselors putting words in my client's mouth.

Do you have better words for your client?

Okay, Dean, put it on the board.

1-0.

Your Honor, I even moved for a brief recess.

That was longer than I thought.

He had a lot to say.

About what?

About Wi-Fi.

A half hour about Wi-Fi?

And food.

He doesn't like the food.

And what did you say?

He said I would bring his concerns to the prison.

That's it?

I sat, I listened, I left.

What else?

I don't understand.

What is this?

I have no idea.

Then why are you arguing here?

Why are you arguing at all?

You're not a lawyer.

If I didn't argue, we were going to lose.

Lose what?

This is not a court.

We're in the back of a copy coop.

And what is William Schultz doing there?

He's representing the plaintiff.

Okay, I'm losing my mind.

Look, this is not legal.

We have got to get out of here.

No, I don't want to.

Tony, whatever happens here, it's irrelevant.

It doesn't matter if we win or lose.

Look, those are some of the other parents suing me.

They're seeing how this case goes.

Which is why we don't want to lose here.

So let's not.

Look, I like this judge.

He's better than the judges in real court.

That's the point.

It's not real.

Diane, what is real?

I mean, I have spent the last eight months going from

one deposition to another, and nothing ever happens.

It just keeps getting delayed and pushed, and I can't get on with my life.

This is reality to me.

I want you to win the case here.

William, what are you doing here?

I'm wondering whether to eat this.

Or was that an existential question?

No, I meant you're a real lawyer.

What are you doing here?

I'm getting paid.

Business is down except for everything in bankruptcy,

and court dockets are backlogged into next year.

If clients want to pay to resolve their

differences in crazy court, what's the downside?

You're treating this like arbitration?

If we agree to be bound by Judge Wacko, this is arbitration.

I don't understand anything anymore.

Sure you do.

That's why this is throwing you.

Welcome to 2021.

I was grateful for the teaching job during COVID.

I've got to put food on the table, but I also have my principles.

You didn't feel like you could live by your principles while working for poducation?

Well, look, Tony doesn't tolerate anyone to the right of Noam Chomsky.

One Ayn Rand assignment, and I was out.

She quit and left me in the lunch.

Other than firing you, how else did Tony show her political leaders?

One of the other teachers, Janice, said that another teacher, Stuart,

heard Tony say, you've got to brainwash these rich brats while they're gone.

Objection.

Hearsay.

Well, I don't care.

Go on.

Sir?

Your Honor.

Your Honor, the hearsay rule prevents gossip from being used as evidence.

How can you weigh the truth of a statement unless it's made under oath?

Same way I do in life.

Same way you do.

Use your brains.

So, did you say you've got to brainwash these rich brats?

Yes, you did.

No, I didn't.

And you didn't even hear it yourself.

You said someone heard it from someone.

They were both teachers that I trusted.

You tried to get more pay.

And when I tried to hold you to your contract, you quit.

I quit because of your new political emphasis.

There was no political emphasis!

You said that you couldn't trust anybody who voted Republican.

No, that wasn't what I said.

What did you say?

Your Honor, may I have a moment to confer?

No.

I like the truth that is found in sudden utterances.

What did you say?

We were talking about the Conways, and I said I

couldn't fall in love with anyone who voted for Trump.

That's all.

Go ahead, Dane.

One for the piece.

Your Honor, that has nothing to do with this case.

It is a private belief held by my client.

A belief that is shared by most of the country.

And do you share it?

I am not the question.

The question is whether a school administrator's

private belief determines the value of her co-Stop.

It's one to one.

You haven't lost anything.

I think, for your own benefit, you should let your co-counsel argue for you.

My co-counsel?

Marissa.

Your Honor, Marissa is not a lawyer.

Well, I'm not a judge.

Time to close up shop for the day.

We've got a validation stamp right here.

I have a nice...

Find out what this judge is about.

Okay.

In about ten more minutes, I'm going to lock up.

So how long has this been going on?

Two months.

You're kidding.

It's insane.

It's crazy, right?

How'd you get involved?

So I was working at the courts when COVID hit, then I was out of a job.

And Wackner hired you?

Yeah, man.

Same salary, same number of hours.

Why is he doing it?

At this court?

You ever seen Watts Towers?

No.

What's that?

I got some relatives that live near there, man.

It's just these towers this guy built in Watts in his spare time.

Got it in his head to build something beautiful.

And it is... I think that's what Wackner's doing.

Building something in his spare time because he thinks he can do it better.

People don't trust the system since it costs a lot to win and even more to lose.

What is that?

Grateful Dead.

He sings it all the time, man.

You and me mind to spend some time wondering what to choose.

Hey, he knows what to choose.

Who are you?

Carmen Moyo.

I'm not your lawyer, so this whole session is subject to surveillance.

That's why that chirping you hear.

Then get the fuck out of here.

I'm Oscar Rivey's lawyer.

What does he need?

My client has been prosecuted for a murder he did not commit.

Is that really what he said?

I need you to let me speak.

Rivey knows you're looking at 30 years for murder one.

And he knows you have information that could exonerate him.

You fuck.

That testimony would make your time go much easier at Statesville.

He knows how time goes hard and it goes easier when you have a clean conscience.

Who are you?

I told you.

I'm Oscar Rivey's attorney.

And how old are you?

28.

So you're telling me... I'm not telling you anything.

I'm just making the obvious clear.

There are people in the Statesville Christian community

that can help you if you want to come clean with God.

You're just a little girl.

I am.

But I know how God works.

Okay.

Tell Rivey... No.

I'm not telling him anything.

I'm leaving now.

Thank you for listening.

Hello?

Is this the great Elizabeth Reddick?

Well, I don't know about great, but yes.

This is Charles Lester.

Ah, Mr. Lester, yes.

You are a lawyer representing...

Ah, I'm sorry.

Who again?

Ah, how quickly they forget.

I represent Mr. Rivey.

Not his lawyer, his business manager.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

I believe we just had our biannual meeting with Mr. Rivey.

You did.

And that is the point of my call.

Mr. Rivey only wants to meet from this moment on with the lawyer, Carmen Moyo.

I don't understand.

He doesn't like the partner who was sent to bury something.

He doesn't want to see him anymore.

And he wants all his business holdings transferred through Ms. Moyo.

But she's... Mr. Lester, Carmen Moyo is a first-year associate.

She's only been with us two days.

Is there some problem with my client's request?

No.

No, no, no.

It's just that she's very young.

Very young.

She's just out of law school.

He wants her as his only lawyer.

Is there any problem with that?

Mr. Lester, let me speak to my team.

We like to offer our top clients more services than one lawyer can provide.

Liz, I've been working with my client for five years now.

He knows what he wants.

He knows his mind.

So make it happen or you and I will be having a more unpleasant conversation.

Mr. Lester, where are you?

Can I call you back?

I am at the only pay phone in Chicago.

I'll call you back.

Hey.

Hey.

Expanding your tastes?

It's for work.

Kurt.

Do you think I should give up my name partnership at the firm?

What?

I'm getting pressured to give up my top opinion at the firm.

Your opinion?

What?

You said your top opinion.

No, my top position.

I'm white.

The firm is supposed to be black.

And with Adrian gone, the optics...

Optics.

Are you the best lawyer there?

I'm... No.

Well, okay, I'm one of the best, but that's not what this is about.

It's a bad look having a black law firm with a white leader.

And I want to do what's right.

I am.

You and I disagree on so much.

You obviously ask my opinion because you know

that I will argue something you know you won't.

Which is?

Identity politics is destroying America.

You knew I'd argue that.

It's making everything about race.

Because it has to be about race until it's about equality.

Equality doesn't come through more obsession with race.

It comes from elevating talent over mediocrity.

Oh, come on, Kurt.

You and I both know that white mediocrity is the default position.

Every manager hires who he knows.

And then you're right.

Step aside.

You shouldn't be leading that firm.

Really?

I'm taking a shower.

You wanted to see me?

Carmen.

Yes, come in.

Go ahead, take a seat.

So how was life at Riddick Lockhart?

Did I do something wrong?

No, no, no, no.

I just want to see how things are going.

I like it here.

There's nothing to compare it to except law school.

But it's great to be out of the legal clinics.

At a certain point, simulation feels like a waste of time.

I'd rather be in the thick of it.

And now you are.

I know you're working with Barry on the RIVI maintenance.

Yes, it's a wonderful opportunity.

RIVI's manager has requested that you take on a larger role.

Really?

RIVI wants you to be his only lawyer.

I don't know what to say.

That's surprising.

RIVI has an unbelievable amount of charisma.

But in my experience, it's better to maintain a professional distance.

I'm very professional.

Oh, I don't doubt it.

But you yourself said... Is the firm dissatisfied with my work?

No.

It's my intention to treat all my clients like humans.

Even the ones who might be murderers or are definitely murderers.

And I think Mr. RIVI might be responding to that.

Because it's something that he hasn't received.

Okay, let me be very clear, Carmen.

We are talking about your own personal safety here.

Yes.

And I thank you.

I...

If you want me not to be involved with his case, I will completely understand.

Well, I will admit, I was surprised when I got the call.

It's just so great to see you, Julius.

Yeah, how long has it been?

Well, for Diane, it was when I was being handcuffed and taken away to prison.

Yeah, it feels like forever.

But that's probably just 2020.

Thank you for looking past my troubles.

I want you to know I don't take that for granted.

Last year was terrible.

Diane, you stood by my side and I can't ever thank you enough.

Of course, Julius.

Come on, you're family.

And the one deserving recipient of a Trump pardon.

I didn't even have to pay for it.

It's a good thing I couldn't afford one.

Speaking of pay, we cannot pay you what you made before.

I need a job.

And this place is home.

I'd be happy to be of counsel.

I know this is so awkward.

Let's just reframe the issue.

It's not that I'm accepting a lower position.

It's that you're getting a deal.

God, I hate this process.

So, Kayla?

Let me think about it.

You want Julius?

I want time to think about it.

It all happened so quick.

The second schools closed, I knew parents would need

help, so I rented some space and I put together a plan.

Very entrepreneurial of you.

Thank you.

I hired teachers, which wasn't hard.

There were so many layoffs.

And I walked the parents through the hours,

the classes, the fees, and the COVID protocols.

Sorry.

Curriculum.

And what about the curriculum?

Did you agree to a teaching philosophy?

Anything like that?

It was at my discretion.

That was the agreement.

Was that agreement in the contract?

Excuse me, Your Honor.

Can I finish my questions?

Was there any agreement about the curriculum in the contract?

It was part of the handshake deal, Your Honor.

They paid me on Venmo and I took care of the rest.

But during COVID, how could they have a handshake

agreement if there was no shaking hands?

Mr. Schultz knows full well handshake deal are acceptable words in business.

If there was no contract, my client should definitely get her money back.

There was no deal.

A handshake deal is still a binding contract.

Even in real... even in usual courts.

Dean.

What one, Your Honor?

Plaintiff.

Your Honor, the plaintiff can't just pull out of an agreement whenever she wants.

Who is it who said she should have watched each card played and played it slow?

Excuse me?

Every time we make a deal, we're wondering what to choose.

We watch each card, wanting not to lose.

And so you play it slow.

Don't let the deal go down.

What are you talking about?

Does it cost a lot to win?

Even more to lose?

You and me bound to spend some time wondering what to choose.

I'm sorry, is this a song?

Grateful Dead.

Dean, I was wrong.

Erase.

Your Honor, a song is not evidence.

Sure it is.

Cicero used to use Homer as much as a Roman code.

Art is evidence.

Okay then, your client started counting her money when she was sitting at the table.

What is that?

Kenny Rogers?

That's right.

No.

No, no, no.

Dean, a demerit.

Your Honor, this is so unfair.

Any other questions, Counselor?

Yes we do, Your Honor.

Thank you.

Proceed, Marissa.

No.

These are from the courthouse vending machines?

They've already been inspected.

I don't give a shit.

Let's talk to your superior.

See if he gives a shit.

Now they're inspected.

Thank you.

Gracias.

De nada.

Are you Carmen?

I am.

Are you Mr. Venegas' lawyer?

And business manager, Charles Lester.

And this is us.

All stand.

The Honorable Wick Stilton presiding.

We have a motion today.

Hello?

Yes, Your Honor.

I'm sorry.

I'm new to this.

My first time in court.

Welcome, Counselor.

Everybody remembers their first time.

Although yours does seem to be decidedly more interesting.

We've seen you in here before, Mr. Ribby.

Oh, yeah.

Your Honor, this is a habeas corpus motion.

In meeting last time with my client, I realized that

he might be innocent of the charges he was accused of.

That would be murder, Your Honor?

Really innocent.

How novel.

Three weeks ago, a Mr. Venegas was arrested and pled to

three manslaughter charges of competing gang members.

It occurred to me these killings had many of the same

characteristics as the murder my client was accused of.

A jury decided this, Your Honor.

Yes, but they did not have the facts we have now.

This is the lawyer representing Mr. Venegas.

And he has something for us.

Charles Lester, Your Honor.

Yes, I recognize you, too.

Hi.

Hey.

My client had a guilty conscience, and he

wanted to come clean before he served his time.

Oh, dear God.

Can I speak here without being interrupted?

Yes.

My client swears that he is responsible for the crime that Mr. Ribby is accused of.

In fact, he has given sworn testimony as to the whereabouts of the weapon.

The gun the police never found, the one they accused my client of using.

Well, this is all very convenient.

Your Honor, the only thing that's convenient is that

I'm new to the law and believed my client's innocence.

So I investigated him.

That is all.

Your Honor, clearly this lawyer acted as a go-between for two murderous criminals,

allowing Venegas to acquire the facts he needed to help his boss, Ribby.

Your Honor, we're not that sophisticated.

Here are prison records showing that Ms. Moyo visited Venegas in his cell 24 hours

after her visit with Ribby.

Yes, and if you have any doubt of what was said, review the prison tapes.

I was not Mr. Venegas' lawyer, so my communication with him was not privileged.

You'll see I said nothing incriminating.

I was just there to support my client.

That's all.

Okay, thank you.

I will review all these materials, but I need Ms. Moyo to approach the bench, please.

I thought I should be here, too, for this.

Uh-huh.

Ah.

You, um, haven't been at this very long, I have, you miss.

No, Your Honor.

Everyone's entitled to legal representation, and I'm sure you never

intended to do anything illegal or unethical.

Of course not, Your Honor.

You know, these are some rough customers you're dealing with.

Don't let them take advantage of your inexperience.

I'll help her where I can, Your Honor.

That is small comfort, Mr. Lester.

Ms. Moyo, there are a lot of bad actors taking advantage of the system.

Don't make yourself vulnerable to them.

Well, I'm not sure... I need you to shut the hell up.

Huh?

Thank you, Your Honor.

I will keep that in mind.

While I recognize that you just had a victory in court, the long-term reputation

of this firm matters a whole lot more to me than short-term wins.

That makes sense.

I'm not gonna ask you any questions about what you may or may not have done.

You're a capable lawyer, clearly.

That's why you were hired.

This is just a reminder that you are to conduct yourself in

a manner at all times that does not put this firm at risk.

This is the only reminder you're going to get.

Do you have any questions?

I'm just listening.

Ah, you... you really don't give a shit what people think about you, do you?

I'm here to do a good job for my clients.

I think I did that for Mr. Rivey.

And since he wants me to be the only one to represent him, I'll...

I'll focus on that.

Okay.

We're done.

Thank you.

By the way, I'm your mentor.

I'll need you here Friday to discuss.

Thank you, Ms. Reddick.

I respected your father.

Your Honor, the defense calls Isabel Presley.

What the hell is she doing here?

You didn't give us any notice of this witness.

I'm sorry, do we have to?

I thought truth was always found in sudden utterances.

You just got yourself half a bell for quoting me.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you.

Ms. Presley, you were the first parent to withdraw your child from poducation,

correct?

Yes, but I didn't ask for my money back because Tony did nothing wrong.

So if you had no problem with the teaching, why did you pull out?

Because the other parents?

Hi, guys.

They were going to get us all killed with COVID.

Especially her.

This is ridiculous.

That is quite a charge.

What do you mean?

She kept inviting the other kids over to her house for slumber parties.

No masks.

Totally against the rules.

So that explains it.

How do you know?

She put pictures on Facebook.

You get that made up next door?

Yes, Your Honor.

A copy coop.

A good deal.

Don't suck up too much.

It's a good product placement.

She doesn't give a shit about what anybody teaches, Miranda.

The pod shut down because Nell was a super spreader.

You're just jealous because your stupid kid was never invited.

Your Honor, we believe this proves that the plaintiff's claim of socialist

teaching was an excuse to cover up her own irresponsibility

and deny hardworking educators the money that they had earned.

One second.

Dean.

Defense.

Your Honor, we haven't had closing arguments.

Yeah, I'm not in the mood.

I'm ready to rule.

Everybody sit down.

Relax.

So, this side broke the COVID rules.

That's not good.

Then again, let's be honest.

Who hasn't?

Still, she paid, so she has a right to complain about the service she got.

On the other hand, this lady was doing her best to challenge

her students to think critically about the world they came from.

Even if she used Parasite.

A movie I thought had moments.

Wasn't as good as Hell or High Water.

And in the end, the parents chose to outsource the education

of their kids when most people had to teach them at home.

You could have done that.

You didn't.

You can't ask for your money back after.

I'm siding with you.

Just lighten up on the lefty stuff next time.

No.

And you have to pay for her lawyer.

Because this was bullshit.

Done.

See, I knew we'd do better here.

I have to say this ruling was reasonable.

Wait a minute.

Hold it.

Brain dead.

I almost forgot.

I have found that the thing we most crave,

win or lose, is respect and acknowledgement.

So I won't ever want to shake hands.

What do you mean?

Literally?

Two sides, two lines.

Go down the line, shake hands, look each other in the eye and say,

I respect and I love you.

Because the law means nothing if people don't feel respect for it.

And each other.

Come on, let's go, let's go, let's go.

I got a line around the block.

Come on.

I respect and I love you.

I think you could have done better, but let's go.

I respect and I love you.

There you go, smiling face.

I respect and I love you.

Smile, baby.

There you go.

I respect and I love you.

Do you have a card?

No, do I need one?

Write down your number.

I need a lawyer here.

I respect you.

And I love you.

No!

Oh my god.

That's too bad.

He's not a lawyer.

Maybe we could hire him.

We could do worse.

Speaking of, I say it's Julius.

Julius.

Convicted of bribery.

Pardon by Trump, Julius.

Yes, yes.

I've thought about it and we know him.

We trust him.

I like Julius.

Yeah, I like him too.

And he's right.

It is a good deal for us.

You slept with Caleb, didn't you?

I'm going to go call Julius.

Great.

Oh, and one more thing.

This is an African-American firm and it

deserves a black partner in the corner office.

You take it.

Diane.

I insist.

A part of me feels like I should thank you and another part of me doesn't.

Thank you.

And one more thing.

I thought that was the last thing.

I've thought about this.

I believe I contribute to this firm and I worry I'm going to be pushed aside.

So, I think we need another African-American partner and we should discuss whom.

But I want a commitment from you that I will retain a name partner position,

no matter what.

Diane, as long as I have any power over the

decision, you will retain your name partner position.

Thank you.

And let's discuss a third partner, huh?

How was your first week?

Okay.

You?

Good.

So, I guess it begins.