1 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:03,600 Previously on L .A. Law. 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:08,080 What's going on with the United States of America versus Roxanne Mellman's own 3 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:08,799 true love? 4 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:12,380 She's under subpoena. If she agrees to testify against Markham, give up 5 00:00:12,380 --> 00:00:14,960 profits she made, your attorney is willing to let it go at that. 6 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:19,880 With all due respect to the court, Your Honor, I refuse to answer. Take the 7 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:20,839 witness into custody. 8 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:24,460 You're a terrific litigator, which is exactly what I need to complement my 9 00:00:24,460 --> 00:00:29,540 strengths. I just, I don't know what to think. Say you'll think very seriously 10 00:00:29,540 --> 00:00:30,328 about it. 11 00:00:30,330 --> 00:00:33,230 I guess what I am trying to say is I'm leaving. 12 00:00:34,510 --> 00:00:37,930 I want to tell you something about Jimmy Markham that you obviously don't know. 13 00:00:38,290 --> 00:00:39,290 I'm his girlfriend. 14 00:00:39,830 --> 00:00:40,830 Oh, my God. 15 00:00:41,650 --> 00:00:45,290 Miss Millman, does your presence here suggest that you're now ready to 16 00:00:45,290 --> 00:00:47,330 the contempt citation against you and testify? 17 00:00:47,690 --> 00:00:48,690 Yes, I am. 18 00:00:49,810 --> 00:00:50,810 Oh, nice watch. 19 00:00:51,030 --> 00:00:52,490 Thanks. Can I have it? What? 20 00:00:53,130 --> 00:00:54,130 Stick -up time. 21 00:00:54,770 --> 00:00:55,770 Do it. 22 00:00:57,130 --> 00:01:03,280 With us this morning are Brad Sanford, Rosalie Baskin and Jonathan Rollins, 23 00:01:03,380 --> 00:01:08,400 recently cited in Southland Magazine as the hottest young lawyers in Los 24 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:11,360 Angeles. Good morning and welcome. 25 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:13,780 Good morning. Hi. Looking good, Jonathan. 26 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:15,240 Let's start with you. Great suit. 27 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:21,080 What's the consequence of being acknowledged like this? More clients, 28 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:22,080 cases. 29 00:01:22,430 --> 00:01:25,570 The biggest consequence is that the partners are beginning to remember my 30 00:01:26,610 --> 00:01:30,610 My firm has over 300 lawyers, and it's an accomplishment just to be recognized 31 00:01:30,610 --> 00:01:31,609 in your own office. 32 00:01:31,610 --> 00:01:35,030 And, Brad, your firm has over 400 lawyers, right? 33 00:01:35,350 --> 00:01:40,250 425. The firms are definitely getting bigger in L .A., either by growth or 34 00:01:40,250 --> 00:01:41,390 merger. That attorney. 35 00:01:41,770 --> 00:01:43,230 How about you, Jonathan? 36 00:01:43,570 --> 00:01:47,670 According to the article, you were pursued by every Wall Street firm in New 37 00:01:47,670 --> 00:01:51,750 and all the big boys in L .A., and you chose to go with... 38 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:56,020 Teeny tiny Mackenzie Brackman. Teeny tiny. I like to think of us more as a 39 00:01:56,020 --> 00:01:58,960 boutique than as teeny tiny. Boutique. Okay, that's fair. 40 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:01,160 But still, why Mackenzie Brackman? 41 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:02,600 I don't know. 42 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:03,700 Good money? 43 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:07,860 Seriously. No, the truth is it's a great firm. With good people. 44 00:02:08,060 --> 00:02:10,660 What makes it different from the bigger firms? 45 00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:13,220 I'm not sure. Basically, a law firm's a law firm. 46 00:02:13,740 --> 00:02:16,620 You know, we've all got the paternalistic senior partner. 47 00:02:17,340 --> 00:02:20,780 You've got the administrative partner who counts every paperclip. Ours makes 48 00:02:20,780 --> 00:02:21,780 sign all the soft drinks. 49 00:02:22,260 --> 00:02:23,600 A nebbishy tax guy. 50 00:02:23,820 --> 00:02:27,380 A couple moles in the life. Don't take it personally. A lecherous divorce 51 00:02:27,380 --> 00:02:28,380 lawyer. 52 00:02:29,380 --> 00:02:31,540 You've got your basic civil rights fanatic. 53 00:02:31,980 --> 00:02:36,280 A research hound. And a couple crusading liberals. A woman's liver. 54 00:02:36,660 --> 00:02:37,900 And a little bit of color. 55 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:39,119 For sure. 56 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:40,880 So am I the liver or the liberal? 57 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,400 Nebbishy, really. What about your peers? Aren't they a little bit jealous of all 58 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:46,560 the attention you've been getting? 59 00:02:47,020 --> 00:02:51,080 I've sensed some coolness, Gina, but I think they're mature enough to accept my 60 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:55,080 status. I think they like my fearless style. 61 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:56,720 And your modesty. 62 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,800 Truthfully, the lawyers in McKenzie Brackman have been very supportive. 63 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:03,100 I bet they're watching this right now, cheering me on. 64 00:04:53,730 --> 00:04:55,250 People, if we could get started. 65 00:04:55,610 --> 00:04:56,610 Stuart. 66 00:04:57,470 --> 00:04:59,970 I see you have a meeting scheduled with the Lundstrom children. 67 00:05:00,390 --> 00:05:01,590 Yeah, they're a little upset. 68 00:05:01,830 --> 00:05:06,230 Mom cut them out of the will and left everything to a TV evangelist. Yes, 69 00:05:06,350 --> 00:05:09,250 since it's a multi -million dollar estate, I urge your diligence. 70 00:05:09,990 --> 00:05:14,040 Michael. Stetler versus Goodwin, Proctor, and Englander. The jury's 71 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:15,120 We're ready to go. 72 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:17,580 Opposing counsel's coming in this morning to make their final offer. 73 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:21,100 Just between us, I would have fired somebody that fat myself. 74 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:23,260 I'm surprised they hired her in the first place. 75 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:27,000 She happens to be one of the most competent attorneys I have ever met, and 76 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:31,460 size of her body is her business and no one else's. Thank God. 77 00:05:31,860 --> 00:05:32,860 Moving on. 78 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:37,460 Miss Kelsey, what's this meeting with General Scanning, Inc.? A new client, 79 00:05:37,620 --> 00:05:38,620 laser technology. 80 00:05:38,940 --> 00:05:40,700 They want to trademark some of their special effects. 81 00:05:41,420 --> 00:05:42,379 Holograms or something. 82 00:05:42,380 --> 00:05:44,360 Can you get a trademark on a special effect? 83 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:46,720 You mean transparent 3D imagery? 84 00:05:49,780 --> 00:05:50,780 I read. 85 00:05:53,220 --> 00:05:56,820 Anyway, I will know more about it as soon as I find out exactly what it is 86 00:05:56,820 --> 00:05:57,940 do. Morning. 87 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:01,800 Here's the superstar. 88 00:06:02,620 --> 00:06:03,700 Yeah, thanks, Jonathan. 89 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:05,920 Lecherous? Hey, I didn't mean you. 90 00:06:06,420 --> 00:06:07,420 Nebushy? 91 00:06:07,790 --> 00:06:10,050 I was talking in generalities. Yeah, right. 92 00:06:10,490 --> 00:06:11,490 Hey, come on. 93 00:06:11,970 --> 00:06:13,010 Where's your sense of humor? 94 00:06:13,270 --> 00:06:17,750 It's buried beneath the towel interrogatories, which I want finished 95 00:06:17,750 --> 00:06:19,410 tomorrow morning, Mr. Hotshot. 96 00:06:19,650 --> 00:06:20,990 Tomorrow? I'll be up all night. 97 00:06:21,290 --> 00:06:23,910 You can do it. For the good of the boutique. 98 00:06:24,210 --> 00:06:25,210 This is retaliatory. 99 00:06:25,710 --> 00:06:29,030 If it'll make you feel any better, we'll all be home in front of our 100 00:06:29,030 --> 00:06:30,910 televisions, cheering you on. 101 00:06:31,650 --> 00:06:32,650 We're adjourned. 102 00:06:34,350 --> 00:06:35,350 Let's do it. 103 00:06:36,350 --> 00:06:37,570 Next week on the Fitzsimmons matter? 104 00:06:37,850 --> 00:06:40,430 Yeah. And he tells me the police caught the stick -up man. 105 00:06:40,670 --> 00:06:43,270 The yuppie bandit is no longer at large. 106 00:06:44,010 --> 00:06:45,930 They caught him trying to fence the Rolex. 107 00:06:46,750 --> 00:06:49,730 Stuart and I ID'd him last night. Well, what about the diamond ring? 108 00:06:50,130 --> 00:06:52,850 Gone forever. But at least we get our precious watch back. 109 00:06:53,350 --> 00:06:55,010 Mike, Stetler's here to see you. 110 00:06:55,310 --> 00:06:58,250 Oh, be sure and tell me when Trish Jeter gets here. I'll do it. 111 00:06:58,890 --> 00:07:00,590 So, you all set? I'm ready. 112 00:07:00,790 --> 00:07:01,870 Any work from the other side? 113 00:07:02,210 --> 00:07:02,909 Not yet. 114 00:07:02,910 --> 00:07:03,910 Come on in. 115 00:07:03,970 --> 00:07:04,970 Michael. 116 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:08,640 I noticed that the dietician is not on our witness list. 117 00:07:08,860 --> 00:07:14,420 Well, the fact that you tried to lose the weight isn't really relevant. 118 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:19,160 Not legally, maybe, but I'll be much more sympathetic to the jury if they 119 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:20,160 made the effort. 120 00:07:20,220 --> 00:07:21,220 That's true. 121 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:25,740 And we should establish that my parents were heavy and that this is probably 122 00:07:25,740 --> 00:07:30,480 genetic, mitigating circumstances, my boy. Lynn, I got it covered. 123 00:07:31,620 --> 00:07:35,650 Sorry. It's just that I know I'll feel much less blameworthy if we can prove 124 00:07:35,650 --> 00:07:38,890 that my condition is a product of metabolism and not appetite. 125 00:07:40,830 --> 00:07:43,410 Yeah? Michael, Dr. Schuette is here to see you. 126 00:07:43,890 --> 00:07:46,530 Uh, I'll be ready in a minute. 127 00:07:47,690 --> 00:07:48,890 Should I go or stay? 128 00:07:49,970 --> 00:07:53,010 Lynn, let me take a whack at this alone. 129 00:07:54,190 --> 00:07:57,850 Not a penny into 135, Counselor. All right. 130 00:07:58,110 --> 00:07:59,650 And nothing structured. 131 00:08:03,850 --> 00:08:04,850 Miss Stedler? 132 00:08:05,030 --> 00:08:06,110 Mr. Trishuda. 133 00:08:09,690 --> 00:08:13,770 Well, John, what's the good word? 134 00:08:15,490 --> 00:08:16,490 50? 135 00:08:18,450 --> 00:08:20,730 Nope. It's going to take 150. 136 00:08:21,030 --> 00:08:22,890 Oh, come on, Michael. You can't be serious. 137 00:08:23,390 --> 00:08:25,330 Well, this was discrimination. Oh, wait. 138 00:08:25,850 --> 00:08:28,510 You want to show me the constitutional amendment for fat people? 139 00:08:28,890 --> 00:08:30,810 It was bad faith termination, John. 140 00:08:31,870 --> 00:08:35,370 They fired her for being overweight when she weighed exactly the same as the day 141 00:08:35,370 --> 00:08:37,929 that they hired her. Michael, you've got an impossible case here. 142 00:08:38,210 --> 00:08:41,630 You're never going to show bad faith. You can't point to one single incident 143 00:08:41,630 --> 00:08:43,630 where her weight impacted on her performance. 144 00:08:46,210 --> 00:08:47,610 Look, I don't want to try this one. 145 00:08:48,050 --> 00:08:50,730 We both know I'll have to go after her and it's not going to be pretty. 146 00:08:51,870 --> 00:08:54,290 Please let's make it go away so nobody gets hurt. 147 00:08:55,050 --> 00:08:56,050 Fine. 148 00:08:56,130 --> 00:09:00,750 But the going away price is $150. 149 00:09:01,740 --> 00:09:02,740 But for you, 150 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:04,780 $145 ,000. 151 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:08,580 You're going to make me go in there and be the big bad wolf, aren't you? 152 00:09:09,740 --> 00:09:10,740 Sure you don't want one? 153 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:16,020 I mean, doesn't it seem strange to you, leaving everything to a TV evangelist 154 00:09:16,020 --> 00:09:17,120 named Billy Bob Thomas? 155 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,460 You see, Gail, it's her money. She's got that right. 156 00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:21,680 What about our rights? 157 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:24,020 It's family money. We're her family. 158 00:09:24,620 --> 00:09:27,180 Look, we were thinking. 159 00:09:27,950 --> 00:09:32,170 What about the possibility of maybe getting her declared incompetent? Whoa! 160 00:09:33,170 --> 00:09:35,950 I may be the family lawyer, but I'm your mother's lawyer first. 161 00:09:36,410 --> 00:09:39,650 If you guys want to become adversarial about this, I'm going to advise you to 162 00:09:39,650 --> 00:09:40,650 seek independent counsel. 163 00:09:40,790 --> 00:09:45,790 Look, we don't want to hire some shark to attack her, but come on, we're 164 00:09:45,790 --> 00:09:49,890 about $30 million she's prepared to throw away on some two -bit preacher 165 00:09:49,890 --> 00:09:50,869 three first names. 166 00:09:50,870 --> 00:09:52,930 Her health is failing as it is. 167 00:09:53,170 --> 00:09:56,270 We'd like to work this out without hurting her. Well, that's very 168 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:01,460 But if you go into court challenging her sanity, I guarantee you're going to 169 00:10:01,460 --> 00:10:04,480 hurt her a lot. And what about the hurt she's always inflicted on us? 170 00:10:04,700 --> 00:10:06,640 She's always used the money as a club. 171 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:08,380 What if you talk to her? 172 00:10:09,340 --> 00:10:11,960 She trusts you. You don't think you ought to talk to her yourselves? 173 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:13,320 We've tried. 174 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:16,040 It always ends up with her giving us the silent treatment. 175 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:20,380 I'll see what I can do, okay? 176 00:10:22,060 --> 00:10:23,060 Come in. 177 00:10:25,100 --> 00:10:26,100 Arnie. 178 00:10:29,689 --> 00:10:31,270 There's a mistake in my paycheck. 179 00:10:31,990 --> 00:10:34,490 It's $100 more than it's supposed to be. 180 00:10:35,270 --> 00:10:36,890 My firm voted you a raise. 181 00:10:37,150 --> 00:10:38,150 A raise? 182 00:10:38,610 --> 00:10:40,570 A week ago they were going to fire me. 183 00:10:44,010 --> 00:10:47,430 It's out of your pocket, isn't it? What's the difference where it comes 184 00:10:48,310 --> 00:10:49,310 Thank you, Arnie. 185 00:10:51,150 --> 00:10:52,150 For this. 186 00:10:52,870 --> 00:10:54,170 For sticking by me. 187 00:10:54,870 --> 00:10:58,490 For not clubbing me on the head with I told you so's about Jimmy. 188 00:11:00,330 --> 00:11:03,150 Rox, you're not the first person to fall in love and make a mistake. 189 00:11:03,730 --> 00:11:07,270 I guess I'd feel better about myself if it was just love. 190 00:11:09,490 --> 00:11:10,850 But I wasn't. 191 00:11:12,130 --> 00:11:16,670 I was seduced by the money all around me. 192 00:11:16,950 --> 00:11:23,910 Every day I see people with great clothes, great cars, great houses. 193 00:11:25,670 --> 00:11:27,670 It gets to me sometimes. 194 00:11:28,780 --> 00:11:32,000 There's nothing wrong with wanting the same thing as everyone else rocks. 195 00:11:32,300 --> 00:11:38,800 I know I know I can want them the difference is I 196 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:45,760 Was stealing them Anyway, I just want you to know 197 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,180 I'm pretty glad you're in my corner 198 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:09,940 This is John Vincent of Vincent Construction. 199 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:11,560 So? 200 00:12:12,500 --> 00:12:14,160 So, what does he want from us? 201 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:17,880 He wants us to represent his nephew in a criminal matter. You mean he wants me 202 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:20,120 to represent him? You're the litigator, not me. 203 00:12:20,380 --> 00:12:24,420 Charlie, John Vincent is reputed to be one of the most powerful figures in 204 00:12:24,420 --> 00:12:27,780 organized crime in the western United States. I think the key word there is 205 00:12:27,780 --> 00:12:28,780 reputed. 206 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:32,060 If we start turning away clients because of that sort of vicious gossip... Hey, 207 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:33,760 I was the DA, remember? 208 00:12:34,700 --> 00:12:39,060 This guy has been linked to racketeering, prostitution, drug, 209 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:42,520 I don't think we want to start representing mobsters. 210 00:12:43,580 --> 00:12:45,100 Have you ever been convicted of a crime? 211 00:12:46,740 --> 00:12:47,880 Not to my knowledge. 212 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:49,160 Has he ever been charged? 213 00:12:49,380 --> 00:12:51,700 No. Have you ever even met the man? 214 00:12:52,940 --> 00:12:53,940 No. 215 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,120 Grace, we're a law firm. We're supposed to be looking for clients. 216 00:12:57,680 --> 00:13:01,040 Don't you think a face -to -face meeting is called for here before you decide to 217 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:02,040 turn down a client? 218 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:06,020 who could conceivably funnel an enormous volume of legal work our way. 219 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:09,320 All right. 220 00:13:10,060 --> 00:13:11,180 I'll meet with him. 221 00:13:12,020 --> 00:13:13,740 Attagirl. I'll set it up. 222 00:14:01,610 --> 00:14:02,610 Hello? 223 00:14:47,470 --> 00:14:48,470 Delay the show, Mr. 224 00:14:48,490 --> 00:14:49,490 Phyllis. 225 00:14:50,070 --> 00:14:51,090 Here's your ghost. 226 00:14:51,430 --> 00:14:52,430 Here's your ghost. 227 00:14:52,530 --> 00:14:54,190 How did those interrogatories come in? 228 00:14:59,490 --> 00:15:00,490 That's funny. 229 00:15:01,170 --> 00:15:04,810 That's real funny. Thank you all very much. You're welcome. 230 00:15:08,450 --> 00:15:12,090 I think he took it very well. Get back to the ship. 231 00:15:26,790 --> 00:15:29,570 I'm told you didn't appreciate what happened last night. 232 00:15:30,250 --> 00:15:31,250 Not true. 233 00:15:31,750 --> 00:15:34,170 I think I fully appreciated what happened last night. 234 00:15:35,150 --> 00:15:37,070 Everyone acting in concert to embarrass me. 235 00:15:37,630 --> 00:15:43,230 Well, you know, Jonathan, the peacock that struts around with his feathers out 236 00:15:43,230 --> 00:15:44,970 makes for an easy target. 237 00:15:45,230 --> 00:15:47,490 I didn't do anything to cause that kind of resentment, Leland. 238 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:51,260 If you ask me, the resentment was waiting for me the first day I walked 239 00:15:51,260 --> 00:15:51,859 these doors. 240 00:15:51,860 --> 00:15:53,220 You didn't do anything. 241 00:15:53,780 --> 00:15:57,780 What, you pranced around telling everyone you were making more money? 242 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:01,440 You defied my direct instructions several times. 243 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:06,620 You connived to steal a client from Stewart. You set off a smoke bomb in a 244 00:16:06,620 --> 00:16:10,700 deposition, and now you mock us on television. That's doing something, 245 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:15,400 If I tend to be aggressive, it's because as a black man, I feel I have to prove 246 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:16,400 myself. 247 00:16:17,110 --> 00:16:20,430 People here look at me and see affirmative action. Nobody's going to 248 00:16:20,530 --> 00:16:23,410 Leland, if they think I'm just part of an equal opportunity program. 249 00:16:23,650 --> 00:16:28,590 We accepted you the day we hired you, and I think you know that. And I suppose 250 00:16:28,590 --> 00:16:31,430 last night's cruel joke was just a way of saying, welcome to the club. 251 00:16:31,990 --> 00:16:33,590 Actually, it was a lot more than that. 252 00:16:34,190 --> 00:16:36,210 It was a way of knocking you down a peg. 253 00:16:37,290 --> 00:16:40,190 You need our help, Jonathan, and our friendship. 254 00:16:40,790 --> 00:16:45,430 But you've been too arrogant and too self -important to accept it. 255 00:16:46,060 --> 00:16:48,720 And that has nothing to do with color, my friend. 256 00:16:49,980 --> 00:16:53,240 That joke last night served two purposes. 257 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,760 To let you know how angry we were. 258 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:59,440 And to invite you to share a laugh with everybody. 259 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:00,960 At your own expense. 260 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,319 And I think you missed the point. 261 00:17:07,839 --> 00:17:08,920 On both counts. 262 00:17:19,690 --> 00:17:22,690 Who I leave my money to is not your concern, Stuart. 263 00:17:23,510 --> 00:17:27,890 Your job is to carry out my wishes, not to shape them. 264 00:17:28,150 --> 00:17:31,350 All I'm trying to do is locate exactly what it is your wishes are. 265 00:17:31,730 --> 00:17:32,730 Well, I told you. 266 00:17:33,430 --> 00:17:36,070 Every penny to the reverend. Am I being ambiguous? 267 00:17:36,510 --> 00:17:39,310 Yeah. Yeah. As a matter of fact, you're being ambiguous. 268 00:17:39,710 --> 00:17:43,530 That hostile tone in your voice is more compatible with an act of vengeance than 269 00:17:43,530 --> 00:17:44,530 it is with charity. 270 00:17:44,850 --> 00:17:47,990 It seems to me you're much more interested in taking away than you are 271 00:17:47,990 --> 00:17:49,980 to. Well, you're flat out wrong. 272 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:51,520 Am I? 273 00:17:51,820 --> 00:17:53,860 I've known you a long time, Mrs. Lundstrom. 274 00:17:54,500 --> 00:17:58,580 You've been involved with the homeless, environmental groups, a whole long list 275 00:17:58,580 --> 00:18:02,200 of charities, any one of which you could have given your money to, and yet you 276 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:08,220 chose to give it to the Reverend Billy Bob Thomas, a diamond -studded cable TV 277 00:18:08,220 --> 00:18:09,800 preacher. Why? 278 00:18:10,380 --> 00:18:11,460 I have my reasons. 279 00:18:12,420 --> 00:18:13,640 I think I know what they are. 280 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:17,820 If you had chosen any one of these worthy charities, you would run the risk 281 00:18:17,820 --> 00:18:18,920 not hurting your children enough. 282 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:24,180 But by choosing this pulpit thumper, then they really get the message, don't 283 00:18:24,180 --> 00:18:26,440 they? What message would they get if I left them everything? 284 00:18:27,580 --> 00:18:29,640 That I'm grateful they never come to see me? 285 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:32,500 That I enjoy eating alone every Sunday? 286 00:18:33,140 --> 00:18:37,800 That I relish the hollow echo of an empty hospital room when I'm sick? 287 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:42,480 They come a few times a year, Christmas and Thanksgiving. 288 00:18:43,020 --> 00:18:46,200 with the word obligation written all over their faces. 289 00:18:47,100 --> 00:18:50,080 Well, they're grown up. 290 00:18:50,780 --> 00:18:52,240 They have their own lives to lead. 291 00:18:52,500 --> 00:18:53,740 I'm still their mother. 292 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:56,940 There's still a few things I can do to punish them. 293 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:01,080 Look, obviously you can give your money to anybody you want. 294 00:19:03,460 --> 00:19:09,120 I just think that this way, the very last testament of Edith Lundstrom is an 295 00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:11,680 of bitterness. I don't think that's right. 296 00:19:12,460 --> 00:19:15,840 What you've written here is an ending, an ending to a relationship that's not 297 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:16,840 over yet. 298 00:19:17,540 --> 00:19:19,780 I would like your permission to tear this thing up. 299 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:33,160 Grace? 300 00:19:33,300 --> 00:19:35,040 John Vincent, Grace Van Owen. 301 00:19:35,260 --> 00:19:37,040 A genuine pleasure, Ms. Van Owen. 302 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:38,240 Thank you. 303 00:19:38,420 --> 00:19:39,420 Please have a seat. 304 00:19:39,830 --> 00:19:42,810 I've been an admirer of yours for some time. You're a fine attorney. 305 00:19:43,350 --> 00:19:44,350 Thank you. 306 00:19:44,810 --> 00:19:48,410 Tough -minded, aggressive, but principled. It's qualities I admire. 307 00:19:48,670 --> 00:19:50,150 You're embarrassing me, Mr. Vincent. 308 00:19:50,630 --> 00:19:52,530 My father was Mr. Vincent. I'm John. 309 00:19:52,850 --> 00:19:53,950 All right, John. 310 00:19:55,270 --> 00:19:57,950 Charlie tells me that you're seeking representation for your nephew. 311 00:19:58,370 --> 00:20:03,710 Yes, Tommy the Terrible. I brought you copies of the police report, the filing, 312 00:20:03,910 --> 00:20:04,970 attorney's motions. 313 00:20:06,030 --> 00:20:08,370 What's wrong with your nephew's current representation? 314 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:10,840 Nothing. He's a fine young man. 315 00:20:11,540 --> 00:20:14,640 But I felt we needed someone who really knows her way around the system. 316 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:19,520 To be perfectly honest about it, Tommy's a hothead. He's been in and out of 317 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:21,040 trouble with the law since he was a teenager. 318 00:20:21,500 --> 00:20:25,780 I took him into the construction business as a favor to my sister, and 319 00:20:25,780 --> 00:20:30,080 a real project. But this murder charge, it's totally without foundation. 320 00:20:30,740 --> 00:20:32,100 He's got quite a record. 321 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:38,100 Assault, assault with intent, concealed weapon. Look, Ms. Van Owen, if I can be 322 00:20:38,100 --> 00:20:39,100 blunt, 323 00:20:39,180 --> 00:20:40,240 I know what you're thinking. 324 00:20:40,780 --> 00:20:43,080 The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 325 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:46,040 But the fact is, construction is a tough business. 326 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:51,640 If you achieve the kind of success I have, you inevitably become the object 327 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:52,740 lot of nasty rumors. 328 00:20:53,360 --> 00:20:55,000 I can't do anything about that. 329 00:20:55,460 --> 00:20:57,900 But I am not a crook. 330 00:21:00,340 --> 00:21:04,460 I'm a legitimate businessman with a serious family problem I'm trying to 331 00:21:04,460 --> 00:21:05,460 out with. 332 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:10,100 I need help, and since Charlie and I are longtime friends, I naturally came to 333 00:21:10,100 --> 00:21:10,939 him. 334 00:21:10,940 --> 00:21:11,940 May I count on you? 335 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:19,680 Let me review the case, make some calls, and I'll let you know. 336 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:21,640 Bless you. 337 00:21:22,660 --> 00:21:24,280 We're going to have some lunch, Grace. You want to join us? 338 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:26,100 No, I think I'll get on this right away. 339 00:21:26,860 --> 00:21:27,860 Thanks, though. 340 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:30,820 John. Thank you again. 341 00:21:31,360 --> 00:21:33,340 I look forward to hearing from you soon. 342 00:21:33,780 --> 00:21:34,780 Okay. 343 00:21:40,490 --> 00:21:43,950 He called me into his office and told me I had three months to find other 344 00:21:43,950 --> 00:21:47,050 employment. Did he tell you why you were being fired? 345 00:21:48,050 --> 00:21:52,010 Obesity. He said that my appearance was not commensurate with the firm's 346 00:21:52,010 --> 00:21:56,750 profile. And had you had any indication during the four previous years that your 347 00:21:56,750 --> 00:21:57,750 performance was unacceptable? 348 00:21:58,550 --> 00:22:01,870 I ranked second in billable hours and first in productivity. 349 00:22:03,130 --> 00:22:06,010 I was led to believe I was one of the firm's best associates. 350 00:22:06,830 --> 00:22:11,490 Then Mr. Langella comes in, takes over as managing partner, and suddenly tells 351 00:22:11,490 --> 00:22:12,810 me my potential is limited. 352 00:22:13,850 --> 00:22:16,290 Did he specify the nature of these limitations? 353 00:22:18,290 --> 00:22:21,950 He told me I could not try cases since juries would not accept me. 354 00:22:22,430 --> 00:22:25,050 I used to interview candidates for jobs. 355 00:22:25,290 --> 00:22:28,670 He told me I would have to stop that because the applicants found me... 356 00:22:28,670 --> 00:22:35,010 The word he used was repulsive. 357 00:22:36,270 --> 00:22:40,490 Basically, he said that the world had a negative attitude towards fat people, 358 00:22:40,690 --> 00:22:43,710 and he did not want that feeling running to the firm. 359 00:22:44,890 --> 00:22:46,010 Thank you, Ms. Dettler. 360 00:22:46,790 --> 00:22:47,790 Your witness. 361 00:22:53,220 --> 00:22:56,700 Even before Mr. Langella took over as managing partner, you were never allowed 362 00:22:56,700 --> 00:22:59,700 to try cases, were you? I never wanted to try cases. Because you knew, as they 363 00:22:59,700 --> 00:23:01,860 did, that the way you looked might alienate a jury, correct? 364 00:23:02,140 --> 00:23:05,640 That is not correct. I was hired as a corporate attorney, not a litigator. It 365 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:07,140 was not my function to appear in court. 366 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:11,160 I see, but you said one of your functions was to interview applicants 367 00:23:11,340 --> 00:23:12,340 right? 368 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:14,000 Tell me, what did you look for in a candidate? 369 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:17,700 Intelligence, communicative skills. 370 00:23:18,180 --> 00:23:19,180 Appearance? 371 00:23:19,340 --> 00:23:22,940 Not solely. Not solely, but no matter how intelligent, you wouldn't hire 372 00:23:22,940 --> 00:23:26,460 if their appearance was offensive, would you? I'm not offensive, sir. I didn't 373 00:23:26,460 --> 00:23:29,440 ask you that. I asked you whether or not you would hire someone whose appearance 374 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:30,440 offended you. 375 00:23:31,860 --> 00:23:32,799 Probably not. 376 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:35,840 So there's nothing improper about discharging someone for the way he or 377 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:39,380 looks, is there? Your client was guilty of bad faith count. Thank you for your 378 00:23:39,380 --> 00:23:41,800 legal conclusions, Ms. Stetler, but for now, just answer my questions. 379 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:48,000 How many other firms have you yourself interviewed with since your discharge? 380 00:23:49,409 --> 00:23:50,409 I'm not sure. 381 00:23:50,890 --> 00:23:52,830 Several. Any offers of employment? 382 00:23:54,030 --> 00:23:56,770 No. What's the problem? Lack of intelligence or communicative skills? 383 00:23:57,170 --> 00:24:00,130 Objection. Do you make room for the possibility, Miss Stetler, that these 384 00:24:00,130 --> 00:24:02,470 firms fail to consider you because of your obesity? 385 00:24:03,370 --> 00:24:06,850 It's possible. And would these other firms then also be guilty of bad faith? 386 00:24:07,150 --> 00:24:08,150 Objection. Withdrawn. 387 00:24:08,910 --> 00:24:11,950 Miss Stetler, could you describe for the court your social life? I object. 388 00:24:12,460 --> 00:24:15,340 This line of questioning... Your Honor, she's claiming that the conduct of my 389 00:24:15,340 --> 00:24:19,360 client deviated from standards of human decency, and I intend to show that the 390 00:24:19,360 --> 00:24:23,460 assumptions made by my client with respect to the witness and her obesity 391 00:24:23,460 --> 00:24:27,140 different than judgments made every single day about her in all walks of 392 00:24:27,620 --> 00:24:30,360 I'm going to give you very little latitude here, Counselor. 393 00:24:32,340 --> 00:24:33,700 Ever been married, Ms. Stetler? 394 00:24:35,580 --> 00:24:36,580 No. 395 00:24:37,100 --> 00:24:40,360 Ever been personally involved with a man? Your Honor. Isn't it true you've 396 00:24:40,360 --> 00:24:44,380 even been asked out on a date? This is ridiculous. I agree. Mr. Trasciuta, I... 397 00:24:44,380 --> 00:24:48,020 I apologize, Your Honor, and Ms. Stetler, I apologize to you, but isn't 398 00:24:48,020 --> 00:24:52,180 for your personal life, your professional life, your entire life, 399 00:24:52,180 --> 00:24:54,520 readily dismissed you simply because you are fat? 400 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:58,320 The fact that everyone does it does not excuse it. 401 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:01,580 No, it doesn't. 402 00:25:02,860 --> 00:25:04,420 But if it's a reality... 403 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:08,300 How can you blame my client for recognizing it? 404 00:25:11,460 --> 00:25:12,460 Nothing further. 405 00:25:22,540 --> 00:25:26,160 We're okay? 406 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:27,840 Fine. 407 00:25:28,900 --> 00:25:29,900 In here, sir. 408 00:25:41,759 --> 00:25:44,060 I'm sorry, Ben. I should have cut those questions off. 409 00:25:46,980 --> 00:25:47,980 You couldn't. 410 00:25:49,260 --> 00:25:52,040 People get disgusted when they look at me. It's completely relevant. 411 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:53,520 Nobody gets disgusted. 412 00:25:53,980 --> 00:25:54,980 I see you, Michael. 413 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:00,040 With all this fat, you think the Almighty could have at least given me 414 00:26:00,040 --> 00:26:01,040 skin? 415 00:26:02,110 --> 00:26:04,390 No matter how often you hear it, it still hurts. 416 00:26:04,930 --> 00:26:05,930 Come on, Lynn. 417 00:26:06,050 --> 00:26:09,810 That was just a lawyer in there doing what he had to do to win a case, and you 418 00:26:09,810 --> 00:26:10,810 know it. Yep. 419 00:26:10,910 --> 00:26:11,910 You know what else? 420 00:26:12,610 --> 00:26:16,410 He didn't even have to do his homework on this one. All he had to do was just 421 00:26:16,410 --> 00:26:20,010 see me right up there on that stand. He knew instantly I was never invited to my 422 00:26:20,010 --> 00:26:21,010 high school prom. 423 00:26:22,370 --> 00:26:26,110 You think he needed an investigator to find out I never got any marriage 424 00:26:26,110 --> 00:26:27,110 proposals? 425 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:31,480 Well, as far as I know, marriage proposals are not very good yardsticks 426 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:32,520 measuring self -worth. 427 00:26:32,900 --> 00:26:33,900 Nice theory. 428 00:26:35,700 --> 00:26:36,920 You want to know the reality? 429 00:26:38,540 --> 00:26:42,980 When my friends used to go to dances and cheerleader practice, I went to the 430 00:26:42,980 --> 00:26:43,980 library. 431 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:50,360 And I studied and I studied and I studied because I was damn determined I 432 00:26:50,360 --> 00:26:53,020 going to be the best lawyer that anybody could be. 433 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:55,780 And what the hell did it get me? 434 00:26:56,969 --> 00:26:59,190 Fired for not looking like a cheerleader. 435 00:27:00,610 --> 00:27:03,050 I don't want to be fat, damn it. 436 00:27:05,510 --> 00:27:06,970 It shouldn't matter. 437 00:27:08,590 --> 00:27:11,050 Why does it always have to matter? 438 00:27:15,750 --> 00:27:16,830 Stuart Markowitz. 439 00:27:17,790 --> 00:27:20,810 Barry Braunstein with Jacob and Epstein. Hi. 440 00:27:22,379 --> 00:27:26,100 Reasonable doubt for a reasonable fee. That sings, don't it? New slogan for our 441 00:27:26,100 --> 00:27:28,820 criminal practice. Here, check out our personal injury logo. 442 00:27:29,460 --> 00:27:30,460 Torts are us. 443 00:27:30,980 --> 00:27:31,980 I like that. 444 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:37,220 Mr. Markowitz, do you know an Edith Lundstrom? Yeah, why? Well, she called 445 00:27:37,220 --> 00:27:38,980 her house this morning to execute a new will. 446 00:27:39,240 --> 00:27:40,500 And I mean a monster. 447 00:27:40,940 --> 00:27:42,320 She went to Jacob and Epstein? 448 00:27:42,620 --> 00:27:46,220 She executed over 400 ,000 wills nationwide. Pal, how many have you done? 449 00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:48,440 Well, I'm sure your work is excellent. 450 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:51,220 Well, you better hope so. 451 00:27:52,430 --> 00:27:54,350 The woman left every cent to you. 452 00:27:54,950 --> 00:27:59,370 What? 30 million fat ones, along with the house and a stepped -up basis. 453 00:27:59,790 --> 00:28:01,390 Is this a gag? No gag. 454 00:28:01,850 --> 00:28:04,890 It's all bequeathed to you with the knowledge that you'll do the right thing 455 00:28:04,890 --> 00:28:05,890 with it. See? 456 00:28:07,150 --> 00:28:09,970 I'm going to get her on the phone and clear this up right away. That's going 457 00:28:09,970 --> 00:28:12,550 be difficult, Mr. Markowitz. You see, Mrs. 458 00:28:13,030 --> 00:28:14,990 Lundstrom stroked out late this afternoon. 459 00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:35,700 This is an unbelievable mess. 460 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:37,880 The children already got themselves a new attorney. 461 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:39,920 And the reverend's going to be nutcakes. 462 00:28:40,180 --> 00:28:41,180 Stuart, can we talk? 463 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:43,780 I'd love to talk, Ann, but I've got a room full of lawyers out there waiting 464 00:28:43,780 --> 00:28:46,720 chop me up in a little piece, and so I've got to go. Ann, please, we've been 465 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:47,659 over this already. 466 00:28:47,660 --> 00:28:49,440 But, Stuart, $30 million. 467 00:28:50,280 --> 00:28:51,280 We'd be rich. 468 00:28:51,840 --> 00:28:52,840 We're already rich. 469 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:55,700 But do you have any idea what we could do with that kind of money, Stuart? 470 00:28:55,900 --> 00:28:57,140 I know exactly what to do with it. 471 00:28:57,460 --> 00:28:58,540 I'm going to give it to her children. 472 00:28:59,240 --> 00:29:02,080 Are you crazy? They wouldn't know how to handle it. 473 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:07,900 And for the last time, it's not my money. The will says it is. Fine. Then 474 00:29:07,900 --> 00:29:10,200 want to turn around and give it to her children, that's my business. 475 00:29:10,500 --> 00:29:11,099 Uh -uh. 476 00:29:11,100 --> 00:29:13,400 Community property, bub. It's my business, too. Oh! 477 00:29:13,760 --> 00:29:17,420 Come on. Stuart, I'm not talking about keeping the money for us. We'll start a 478 00:29:17,420 --> 00:29:21,120 charitable trust. There we go again. Don't you see what an opportunity this 479 00:29:21,120 --> 00:29:25,040 Stuart? I can quit massing billable hours at Mackenzie Brackman and actually 480 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:27,100 concentrate on making the world a better place. 481 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:31,540 With a little prudent investing. Stuart, how many people get the chance to do 482 00:29:31,540 --> 00:29:33,220 something good, something meaningful? 483 00:29:33,460 --> 00:29:34,660 Think about it, Stuart. 484 00:29:39,020 --> 00:29:40,220 I don't want to think about it. 485 00:29:41,040 --> 00:29:42,040 Then don't. 486 00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:45,800 For once in your life, stop contemplating your navel and just take 487 00:29:45,860 --> 00:29:47,960 okay? For once in your life, stop pushing me, okay? 488 00:29:50,540 --> 00:29:52,840 And here's Stuart Markowitz, our heir apparent. 489 00:29:53,280 --> 00:29:56,820 Stuart, this is Bob Sylvia, the new attorney for the Lundstrom children. And 490 00:29:56,820 --> 00:29:59,280 Richard Byes, the attorney for the Reverend Billy Bob Thomas. 491 00:29:59,660 --> 00:30:03,380 I brought with me Douglas Brackman, who will be serving as my attorney. And this 492 00:30:03,380 --> 00:30:05,180 is Aunt Kelsey, who is my wife. 493 00:30:05,649 --> 00:30:06,529 Splendid. Great. 494 00:30:06,530 --> 00:30:09,690 Now, folks, you've all got copies of the will, and since I anticipate a couple 495 00:30:09,690 --> 00:30:14,030 of problems in probing... This is no will. It's garbage. And you, sir, are a 496 00:30:14,030 --> 00:30:15,029 blatant thief. 497 00:30:15,030 --> 00:30:15,649 What? Hey! 498 00:30:15,650 --> 00:30:16,750 This is undue influence. 499 00:30:17,190 --> 00:30:20,510 I take exception to that, sir. The State Bar is taking exception to I reported 500 00:30:20,510 --> 00:30:21,670 you. On what grounds? 501 00:30:21,890 --> 00:30:24,130 You go to the home of an ailing elderly woman. 502 00:30:24,390 --> 00:30:28,630 You personally tear up the existing will, a will that left you nothing. Then 503 00:30:28,630 --> 00:30:30,610 suddenly there's a new one leaving you everything? 504 00:30:31,010 --> 00:30:32,610 And how does that concern you? 505 00:30:33,240 --> 00:30:36,360 The will he tore up left nothing to the children. It all went to my client, 506 00:30:36,500 --> 00:30:37,399 Reverend Billy Bob. 507 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:39,740 Bringing me to scam number two. Now, that's out of line. 508 00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:42,840 Mr. Sylvia, gentlemen, please. I agree what he did was despicable. He did 509 00:30:42,840 --> 00:30:45,920 nothing despicable. Whoa, whoa, whoa. How about this? I don't want the money. 510 00:30:46,360 --> 00:30:49,500 Just declare the will void and split it up any way you want. Stewart. 511 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:53,320 Absolutely not. That will is valid, and I have a fiduciary duty to give it full 512 00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:54,299 force and effect. 513 00:30:54,300 --> 00:30:56,040 Oh, for God's sake. Just a second here. 514 00:30:56,460 --> 00:31:01,520 This document leaves everything to Stewart for, I quote, his sound counsel. 515 00:31:02,280 --> 00:31:04,340 Advice and friendship. That's right. Meaning? 516 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:05,600 People. 517 00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:07,280 People, people. 518 00:31:07,780 --> 00:31:09,540 If this money was left to Mr. 519 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:15,160 Markowitz as compensation for counsel he rendered in his capacity as a partner 520 00:31:15,160 --> 00:31:16,820 of Mackenzie Brackman... 521 00:31:17,240 --> 00:31:19,220 This money belongs to the firm. 522 00:31:20,100 --> 00:31:21,660 That's a crime. 523 00:31:22,420 --> 00:31:25,680 It's a theory. Don't worry about the firm. If the money goes to Stewart, 524 00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:29,060 Mackenzie Brackman will become the executor of a $30 million trust. This 525 00:31:29,060 --> 00:31:32,960 will see plenty. But it's not going to Stewart. She died intestate, and it's 526 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:38,540 going to the children. She didn't die intestate. The old will is revoked. No 527 00:31:38,540 --> 00:31:39,600 matter what. Mr. 528 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:40,840 Brownstein is right. 529 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:42,060 The will is binding. 530 00:31:42,280 --> 00:31:46,480 You're his partner, an extension of his crookhood. I happen to be a judge, sir. 531 00:31:47,050 --> 00:31:51,530 My honesty is a given. I don't care if you're on the Supreme Court. You're not 532 00:31:51,530 --> 00:31:52,770 stealing our $30 million. 533 00:31:53,030 --> 00:31:56,470 Get out of my conference room. I don't want the money. Don't you dare walk out. 534 00:31:56,890 --> 00:32:01,490 I'll walk out of any place I want to walk out of. Don't you dare walk out. 535 00:32:01,490 --> 00:32:03,910 ram an injunction right through your kidneys. Oh, really? 536 00:32:04,130 --> 00:32:07,770 Yeah, ram it. Come on, come on. Get off of me. Get off of me. Order. 537 00:32:08,210 --> 00:32:09,210 Order. 538 00:32:10,250 --> 00:32:12,670 Order. Hello, Charlie. 539 00:32:15,010 --> 00:32:16,010 So? 540 00:32:16,610 --> 00:32:18,950 Vincent kept calling me last night. What's the verdict? 541 00:32:20,610 --> 00:32:22,030 I'm not going to take this case. 542 00:32:22,330 --> 00:32:23,330 I can't. 543 00:32:24,350 --> 00:32:25,630 Grace, damn it, come on. 544 00:32:25,850 --> 00:32:30,090 Wait a minute. I did some checking on this guy, and he's definitely not 545 00:32:30,090 --> 00:32:31,090 legitimate. 546 00:32:31,670 --> 00:32:32,690 Don't do this to me, Grace. 547 00:32:32,950 --> 00:32:34,530 Why do you think I brought you in as a partner? 548 00:32:35,530 --> 00:32:39,610 As I recall, because among other things, you thought I had integrity. 549 00:32:40,430 --> 00:32:44,310 And no matter how charming this man is, I don't think this is the kind of case 550 00:32:44,310 --> 00:32:47,810 that's in our best interest. You can generate hundreds of thousands of 551 00:32:47,810 --> 00:32:51,290 in fees. That is definitely in our best interest. The man's a gangster. You 552 00:32:51,290 --> 00:32:52,290 don't know that. 553 00:32:55,510 --> 00:32:56,510 I won't do it. 554 00:32:59,510 --> 00:33:00,510 Fine. 555 00:33:01,510 --> 00:33:02,770 You call him and tell him. 556 00:33:03,690 --> 00:33:05,210 I'm sure as hell not going to do it. 557 00:33:09,270 --> 00:33:10,270 Fine. 558 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:12,700 You did absolutely the right thing. 559 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:15,700 You don't think I'm being naive? I mean, if I'm going to be in front of 560 00:33:15,700 --> 00:33:18,600 practice, I have to be ready to take cases I don't like. 561 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:20,160 This is not a case, Grace. 562 00:33:20,620 --> 00:33:23,920 We're talking about a direction here. If you become a mob lawyer, then you're a 563 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:24,920 mob lawyer. 564 00:33:25,980 --> 00:33:28,660 Well, I'm seeing him tomorrow night, and I will tell him no. 565 00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:31,320 And I suspect I will be without a job. 566 00:33:31,520 --> 00:33:33,200 Hey, there are going to be plenty of other jobs. 567 00:33:33,720 --> 00:33:34,840 Do you want to come work for us? 568 00:33:35,260 --> 00:33:36,260 As a full partner? 569 00:33:36,680 --> 00:33:37,960 No way. You'd be under me. 570 00:33:38,340 --> 00:33:39,920 Oh, that sounds even better. 571 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:42,959 I gotta get in there. 572 00:33:42,960 --> 00:33:44,300 Go get him, Counselor. 573 00:33:44,860 --> 00:33:45,860 Ruff. 574 00:33:46,500 --> 00:33:47,500 See you later. 575 00:33:49,060 --> 00:33:50,060 Ruff. Ruff. 576 00:33:50,740 --> 00:33:54,520 What I'm saying is for an attorney at law, performance and appearance are not 577 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:55,520 mutually exclusive. 578 00:33:55,620 --> 00:33:56,159 How's that? 579 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:59,100 Well, a lawyer's got to be more than someone who just interprets statutes. 580 00:33:59,100 --> 00:34:04,000 You've got to be able to cultivate clients, impress at meetings, wine and 581 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:05,000 colleagues. 582 00:34:05,260 --> 00:34:08,020 When somebody comes into the office, they want to see a consummate 583 00:34:08,360 --> 00:34:09,360 Somebody who... 584 00:34:09,850 --> 00:34:11,350 It gives them a sense of confidence. 585 00:34:11,710 --> 00:34:12,909 And Miss Sturtley didn't do this? 586 00:34:13,130 --> 00:34:16,370 She's a very capable practitioner, and I don't mean to suggest otherwise. 587 00:34:16,850 --> 00:34:20,790 But the reality is, people look at her and say, gee, if she can't take care of 588 00:34:20,790 --> 00:34:22,510 herself, how is she going to take care of me? 589 00:34:23,630 --> 00:34:26,270 They think her personal appearance is a reflection of her professional 590 00:34:26,270 --> 00:34:28,190 competence. Do you think that's a fair assumption? 591 00:34:28,790 --> 00:34:29,850 It's totally unfounded. 592 00:34:30,270 --> 00:34:33,429 If I could dissolve that mindset with a wave of my hand and keep her on, I'd do 593 00:34:33,429 --> 00:34:34,429 so. But I can't. 594 00:34:34,630 --> 00:34:36,630 And if it's hurting the firm, I've got to deal with it. 595 00:34:36,889 --> 00:34:37,889 Thank you, Mr. Langella. 596 00:34:38,590 --> 00:34:39,590 Nothing further? 597 00:34:42,960 --> 00:34:46,679 So, you fired her because people couldn't accept a fat lawyer. 598 00:34:47,080 --> 00:34:50,280 I'm the managing partner, Counselor. I've got to be cognizant of public 599 00:34:50,280 --> 00:34:53,380 perception. Right, so I guess then that if the public didn't want a black 600 00:34:53,380 --> 00:34:55,820 attorney, you would hire and fire on the basis of race, right? Wrong. 601 00:34:56,060 --> 00:34:58,060 I'd never endorsed that kind of prejudice. 602 00:34:58,340 --> 00:35:02,400 Oh. So you do endorse the prejudice against fat people. 603 00:35:02,740 --> 00:35:03,740 This is different. 604 00:35:04,020 --> 00:35:08,600 Webster's Dictionary defines prejudice as a preconceived opinion lacking a just 605 00:35:08,600 --> 00:35:12,360 foundation. Now, isn't that exactly how you just described the public's attitude 606 00:35:12,360 --> 00:35:13,360 toward the overweight? 607 00:35:13,860 --> 00:35:18,480 Yes, but in this case... So, by firing her, you, in your own words, endorsed 608 00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:21,940 that bigotry, didn't you? I never said I agreed with the prejudice, Mr. Cusack. 609 00:35:22,060 --> 00:35:25,060 But I've got a law firm to run, and I've got to recognize that it's out there. 610 00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:26,280 Very good, Mr. 611 00:35:26,300 --> 00:35:31,200 Langella. You recognized it, you acted upon it, and by so doing, you 612 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:32,200 it. Objection, gentlemen. 613 00:35:32,460 --> 00:35:35,000 Don't blame me for public opinion. I blame you more. 614 00:35:35,560 --> 00:35:38,940 The public's opinion is based on ignorance. You know her. You know she's 615 00:35:38,940 --> 00:35:41,500 attorney, and yet you fired her anyway, didn't you? He's beating up a witness. 616 00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:43,080 He deserves to get beat up. Mr. 617 00:35:43,360 --> 00:35:47,020 Cusack. Tell us, Mr. Langella, how firing my client failed to promote that 618 00:35:47,020 --> 00:35:48,120 bigotry that you recognize. 619 00:35:53,380 --> 00:35:54,380 Nothing further. 620 00:36:13,550 --> 00:36:14,930 I just don't think it's a great idea. 621 00:36:15,730 --> 00:36:18,550 It's nothing against you, Michael. You've been fantastic. 622 00:36:19,250 --> 00:36:22,950 I just thought if I represent myself during the closing argument, I have a 623 00:36:22,950 --> 00:36:26,350 better chance of convincing the jury that I belong in a courtroom. 624 00:36:28,090 --> 00:36:30,990 And I also thought, what better way to convince myself? 625 00:36:31,370 --> 00:36:34,650 But this whole trial is going to turn on the summations. You've never done this 626 00:36:34,650 --> 00:36:37,050 before. And what better place for me to start? 627 00:36:37,570 --> 00:36:41,950 I figure I'll either be great or fall flat on my face. 628 00:36:42,480 --> 00:36:43,780 Either way, I win. 629 00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:48,800 File my appearance and notify the opposing counsel. 630 00:36:49,380 --> 00:36:50,440 I'm an attorney. 631 00:36:51,220 --> 00:36:52,940 And I'm going to represent myself. 632 00:36:53,880 --> 00:36:54,880 All right. 633 00:36:55,920 --> 00:36:56,920 It's your trial. 634 00:36:59,380 --> 00:37:00,380 Let's get started. 635 00:37:00,800 --> 00:37:01,800 Where is everyone? 636 00:37:02,260 --> 00:37:04,200 Michael's in court and Victor's got a deposition. 637 00:37:05,040 --> 00:37:07,240 Where's Jonathan? I don't know, but I'm not waiting. 638 00:37:07,670 --> 00:37:11,850 Stuart, regarding the disposition of the Lundstrom estate, a second meeting of 639 00:37:11,850 --> 00:37:13,790 the attorneys has been scheduled for this afternoon. 640 00:37:14,070 --> 00:37:18,410 Oh, God, not again. Each lawyer will present a proposal and will review 641 00:37:18,410 --> 00:37:19,470 What are you going to do, Stuart? 642 00:37:19,670 --> 00:37:20,670 I don't know, Ann. 643 00:37:22,190 --> 00:37:23,370 Jonathan's on TV again. 644 00:37:23,770 --> 00:37:24,830 What? Oh, no. 645 00:37:28,930 --> 00:37:32,770 No, no, Gina, I'm not kidding. That's the way they are. It sounds as if 646 00:37:32,770 --> 00:37:35,350 incompetent. No, not incompetent, just amusing. 647 00:37:35,630 --> 00:37:36,710 We've got one partner. 648 00:37:37,020 --> 00:37:38,020 I won't mention names. 649 00:37:39,600 --> 00:37:41,640 It's Brackman, who keeps having affairs. 650 00:37:42,080 --> 00:37:45,320 He even slept with his female bailiff when he was a small claims judge. 651 00:37:45,640 --> 00:37:46,640 Oh, God. 652 00:37:46,720 --> 00:37:50,960 Oh, God. Now, when Becker beds down with 90 % of his clients... Son of a... He's 653 00:37:50,960 --> 00:37:54,080 fired. ...and we have two partners sleeping with each other. Come on. 654 00:37:54,320 --> 00:37:56,240 They are married. I hear it was a shotgun. 655 00:37:56,460 --> 00:38:01,120 That bastard. But what really gets me is that none of them, none of them can 656 00:38:01,120 --> 00:38:05,740 tell the difference between a live broadcast and a videotaped gag. 657 00:38:08,830 --> 00:38:10,650 What? I know. I got you. 658 00:38:12,730 --> 00:38:14,130 I don't believe this. 659 00:38:26,130 --> 00:38:27,390 Did get you, didn't I? 660 00:38:30,310 --> 00:38:31,430 Thanks for the help, Roxy. 661 00:38:36,950 --> 00:38:37,950 Go on, Douglas. 662 00:38:39,690 --> 00:38:40,690 Let's get started. 663 00:38:41,450 --> 00:38:47,770 If the defendant's theory is true, it doesn't matter what I say here because 664 00:38:47,770 --> 00:38:52,350 you will have instantly concluded the first moment that you saw me that I was 665 00:38:52,350 --> 00:38:56,470 less equal by mere virtue of my weight. 666 00:38:57,630 --> 00:39:03,030 If you subscribe to that notion, ladies and gentlemen, you're wrong. 667 00:39:03,770 --> 00:39:06,950 And if the whole world agrees with you, then damn it. 668 00:39:07,660 --> 00:39:08,840 The whole world is wrong. 669 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:15,480 Because prejudice cannot be validated by unanimous consent. It can only be made 670 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:16,480 more dangerous. 671 00:39:17,260 --> 00:39:23,120 I do not accept the defendant's premise that a person's physique is a criteria 672 00:39:23,120 --> 00:39:24,840 for respect or friendship. 673 00:39:25,080 --> 00:39:30,540 And I do not accept their assertion that people regard physical appearance as an 674 00:39:30,540 --> 00:39:32,340 indication of intellectual ability. 675 00:39:32,580 --> 00:39:37,280 And I most certainly do not accept their assumption that this jury will forgive 676 00:39:37,280 --> 00:39:38,280 those that do. 677 00:39:39,600 --> 00:39:43,080 The evidence before you is uncontroverted. 678 00:39:44,160 --> 00:39:46,000 I am an able... 679 00:39:46,400 --> 00:39:51,560 competent attorney who was fired from her job because of their belief that the 680 00:39:51,560 --> 00:39:58,180 world hates fat people that's 681 00:39:58,180 --> 00:40:03,780 discrimination and like it or not you cannot possibly find for the defendant 682 00:40:03,780 --> 00:40:10,100 unless you are prepared right now to condone it and even if you are don't 683 00:40:10,100 --> 00:40:13,400 for one second this bigotry has prevailed 684 00:40:15,660 --> 00:40:21,380 Because the next time I am confronted by this prejudice, and there will be a 685 00:40:21,380 --> 00:40:24,760 next time, I'll be back. 686 00:40:25,660 --> 00:40:32,060 And I'll come back again and again and again. And sooner or later, I'll come 687 00:40:32,060 --> 00:40:34,960 across a jury who will not tolerate this blindness. 688 00:40:38,920 --> 00:40:40,820 I hope that time is now. 689 00:40:42,080 --> 00:40:43,480 But if it's not... 690 00:40:43,850 --> 00:40:45,470 The fight's not over, I promise. 691 00:40:46,690 --> 00:40:49,130 This fat lady ain't singing yet. 692 00:41:07,330 --> 00:41:11,290 Let's take a minute to review the different proposals. I don't need a 693 00:41:11,350 --> 00:41:12,370 They all stink. 694 00:41:12,920 --> 00:41:15,820 And this reverend is as crooked as a... Look, he should be getting it all. That 695 00:41:15,820 --> 00:41:16,840 was a testamentary intent. 696 00:41:17,100 --> 00:41:20,460 Oh, no, you don't. I don't give a damn what you think the testamentary intent 697 00:41:20,460 --> 00:41:24,620 was. This will is not valid. Don't start that again. We drafted that document, 698 00:41:24,660 --> 00:41:28,420 and I can categorically say... You're a national chain of roadside sleaze pits. 699 00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:31,800 What kind of law firm has a jingle? All right, everybody be quiet. And you, 700 00:41:31,920 --> 00:41:35,140 you're the reason. I'd appreciate it, sir, if I might be allowed to speak. 701 00:41:37,420 --> 00:41:38,420 Thank you. 702 00:41:40,040 --> 00:41:42,460 First of all, you can file those proposals. They're meaningless. 703 00:41:42,880 --> 00:41:46,020 The will is valid, the money is rightfully mine, and here's what I'm 704 00:41:46,020 --> 00:41:47,020 with it. 705 00:41:49,100 --> 00:41:53,440 The three lawyers present will each receive $8 ,000 for legal services 706 00:41:53,620 --> 00:41:55,900 more than they deserve for their embarrassing conduct. 707 00:41:57,320 --> 00:42:00,480 The children, Peter and Gail, will each receive $3 million. 708 00:42:00,940 --> 00:42:01,940 Totally unacceptable. 709 00:42:02,380 --> 00:42:04,600 Extremely acceptable, Mr. Silvey, and I'm going to tell you why. 710 00:42:05,110 --> 00:42:09,090 If you prove undue influence, you not only negate her free intent to make a 711 00:42:09,090 --> 00:42:11,730 will, you eliminate her capacity to revoke the old one. 712 00:42:12,110 --> 00:42:16,070 And since California courts loathe intestacy, your clients get nothing and 713 00:42:16,070 --> 00:42:17,570 the money goes to Billy Bob. Hear, hear. 714 00:42:18,190 --> 00:42:22,610 As for the good reverend, I'm giving $3 million in his name to the Cystic 715 00:42:22,610 --> 00:42:23,610 Fibrosis Association. 716 00:42:24,170 --> 00:42:25,170 Is that it? 717 00:42:25,350 --> 00:42:26,350 Ain't nothing to him? 718 00:42:26,810 --> 00:42:28,630 Yeah. He gets the credit. 719 00:42:29,270 --> 00:42:31,130 And if he's lucky, a building named after him. 720 00:42:31,730 --> 00:42:33,710 That's not enough. I'll fight it. No. 721 00:42:34,220 --> 00:42:35,058 You won't. 722 00:42:35,060 --> 00:42:38,480 Because an examination of Mrs. Lundstrom's true intent will reveal that 723 00:42:38,480 --> 00:42:41,860 desire was not so much to benefit the Reverend, but rather the charitable 724 00:42:41,860 --> 00:42:43,580 endeavors he boasted about on TV. 725 00:42:44,360 --> 00:42:48,220 And since closer scrutiny of those endeavors reveal enterprises that fail 726 00:42:48,220 --> 00:42:52,640 meet the IRS definition of charity, we'll vitiate a big part of that will in 727 00:42:52,640 --> 00:42:55,820 grounds of fraud. Now, that's baseless. Not baseless. 728 00:42:56,200 --> 00:42:59,480 And since exposure of that investigation might end up with Billy Bob being 729 00:42:59,480 --> 00:43:01,900 interviewed on Nightline, I suspect you'll be quiet. 730 00:43:05,660 --> 00:43:11,300 Finally, Miss Kelsey, of the remaining 21 million, half goes to the Greater Los 731 00:43:11,300 --> 00:43:14,820 Angeles Aid for the Homeless, the other half to the California Environmental 732 00:43:14,820 --> 00:43:18,640 Protection Foundation. And while you may miss out on being the great white 733 00:43:18,640 --> 00:43:22,980 administrator, you can take some consolation in knowing that worthy 734 00:43:22,980 --> 00:43:23,980 being served. 735 00:43:26,220 --> 00:43:27,220 One last thing. 736 00:43:28,420 --> 00:43:32,660 If any of you do choose to litigate, remember it all comes down to the issue 737 00:43:32,660 --> 00:43:34,700 undue influence, which means it's my word against yours. 738 00:43:35,290 --> 00:43:36,750 And they're going to believe me, I promise. 739 00:43:37,350 --> 00:43:41,230 Because I'm the only one here not acting out of greed, avarice, or some sort of 740 00:43:41,230 --> 00:43:43,350 self -promotion. I'm the one giving it all away. 741 00:43:43,710 --> 00:43:47,310 And that makes me a thousand times more credible than all of you stacked up on 742 00:43:47,310 --> 00:43:48,310 top of each other. 743 00:43:50,430 --> 00:43:55,610 And finally, if any of you do challenge me on this, all the money goes to the 744 00:43:55,610 --> 00:43:59,390 two charities. The children, the reverend, the lawyers, get nothing. 745 00:44:00,230 --> 00:44:01,230 Meeting's over. 746 00:44:17,960 --> 00:44:18,960 Markowitz? 747 00:44:21,480 --> 00:44:22,000 Although 748 00:44:22,000 --> 00:44:28,800 I stand 749 00:44:28,800 --> 00:44:34,460 here in complete ignorance as to what this world or life has in store for me, 750 00:44:34,540 --> 00:44:41,240 I think I can still safely predict that no matter what I do or how long I live, 751 00:44:41,460 --> 00:44:45,220 I will never be more proud of any single thing 752 00:44:46,500 --> 00:44:48,500 That I am my husband at this moment. 753 00:44:50,240 --> 00:44:55,280 And I just want you to know that I admire you more than I can ever express. 754 00:44:56,820 --> 00:44:58,560 And I love you even more than that. 755 00:45:21,420 --> 00:45:23,920 Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached its verdict? 756 00:45:24,300 --> 00:45:25,279 Yes, Your Honor. 757 00:45:25,280 --> 00:45:26,280 What say you? 758 00:45:26,360 --> 00:45:30,420 We, the jury, find in favor of the plaintiff and order the defendant to pay 759 00:45:30,420 --> 00:45:33,020 damages in the amount of $210 ,000. 760 00:45:34,300 --> 00:45:35,300 You did it. 761 00:45:36,480 --> 00:45:42,380 I don't believe it. 762 00:45:43,540 --> 00:45:44,540 Thank you. 763 00:45:52,200 --> 00:45:53,200 You look lovely. 764 00:45:53,860 --> 00:45:54,860 Thank you. 765 00:45:54,920 --> 00:45:55,920 None for me. 766 00:45:56,100 --> 00:45:57,100 Please. 767 00:46:03,940 --> 00:46:04,940 To us. 768 00:46:06,380 --> 00:46:08,120 There is no us, Mr. Vincent. 769 00:46:09,540 --> 00:46:11,320 Charles told me you were a little reluctant. 770 00:46:11,760 --> 00:46:12,980 My mind's made up. 771 00:46:13,320 --> 00:46:17,640 I've always found it best to postpone final judgment until I have all the 772 00:46:18,509 --> 00:46:21,790 I have all the facts I need, and... I don't think you do. 773 00:46:23,090 --> 00:46:27,790 For instance, I don't think you know who paid for that fancy office you sit in. 774 00:46:28,370 --> 00:46:32,350 I don't think you know who owns the building, Ms. Van Owen, or who owns the 775 00:46:32,350 --> 00:46:35,090 firm, or to a lesser extent, who owns you. 776 00:46:40,870 --> 00:46:44,490 You may own the firm, Mr. Vincent, but I guarantee you, you don't own me. 777 00:46:48,840 --> 00:46:49,840 You listen. 778 00:46:51,540 --> 00:46:55,940 You're going to go into court, and you're going to substitute in as counsel 779 00:46:55,940 --> 00:47:00,800 Tommy. Then you're going to get a nice continuance, a courtesy the judge will 780 00:47:00,800 --> 00:47:03,260 only too happy to extend to a popular XDA. 781 00:47:03,960 --> 00:47:08,640 Then, if you want, I'll get someone else to substitute in for you. 782 00:47:09,180 --> 00:47:10,180 Do you understand? 783 00:47:10,960 --> 00:47:11,960 No. 784 00:47:13,920 --> 00:47:15,460 I need time, Miss Van O. 785 00:47:17,100 --> 00:47:20,700 It's just come to my attention that the state's key witness may suffer a serious 786 00:47:20,700 --> 00:47:22,480 decline in health in the next few weeks. 787 00:47:23,740 --> 00:47:26,980 It sometimes happens to people who disappoint me. 788 00:47:30,700 --> 00:47:32,480 My answer is not changing. 789 00:47:34,800 --> 00:47:37,760 Some mistakes are very hard to live with, Ms. Van Allen. 790 00:47:38,980 --> 00:47:42,440 I seriously suggest you rethink your position. 791 00:47:44,460 --> 00:47:45,860 She's still drinking the champagne.