All language subtitles for L.A.Law.S03E16.His.Suit.Is.Hirsute.1080p.HULU.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264-BurCyg_track3_[eng]

- Melanie: Michael?
- Melanie.

Hi, they changed
courtrooms on us.

- We're over here now.
- Oh.

Listen, thanks for letting me
observe you in action

No problem.

I never played a lawyer before.

I'd like the result
to be somewhere

in the realm of the possible.

It's the role you
helped me get, you know?

Well, remember,
this is civil, not criminal.

It could be deadly.
Don't expect any fireworks.

Hilbar: We were just sitting
around watching the TV

when all of a sudden,
I hear this hissing sound.

Pssss. I look at my wife
and I go, "You hear that?"

And she says,
"You mean that psss?"

And I go, "Yeah, you hear it?"

Of course, she had
to have heard.

How else could she imitate it?

What happened next, Mr. Hilbar?

Boom happened next.

A huge explosion ripped out
the wall of our den.

What part of the wall?

♪ Objection ♪

♪ I want to object to that ♪

♪ I'm objecting now ♪

♪ I say now ♪

♪ I mean, right,
right, right, right ♪

♪ Right now ♪

♪ Praise the lord ♪♪

[crowd laughing]

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

What the hell was that?

Your Honor, my client
and I have discussed this,

and we feel our case
will be more effective

if I sing my objections

as well as
some of the arguments

and procedural issues.

Counselor, you will
not sing in my courtroom.

- You get me?
- Very well, judge.

But I'd like an
instruction to the jury

informing them
I'm being denied my right

to incorporate
music into my defense.

Fine, I'll tell them.
Step back.

Members of the jury, attorney
Pastorini

will no longer be singing

during the course of this trial.

He'd like you to know
he's stopping

only at my urging.

Uh, continue, Mr. Kuzak.

What part of the wall
exploded, sir?

Over the heating vents.

All three of them blew out.

There was a huge boom.

I mean, I'm lucky to be alive.

Objection to the term
"boom," Your Honor,

on grounds of violence.

Overruled.

Sidebar?

Approach.

[tapping]

Judge McGrath: Counsel!

[tapping]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

The motion to suppress
on Grecco is pending.

If we lose on that,
we'll probably come to trial

sometime around
the end of the year.

In other words, there's
no problem with my being out

of the country for a while?

This a business trip
you're taking, Frank?

Business, pleasure.

I always manage
a little of both.

Lucky you.

Freeze! Federal drug agents.

Keep your hands
where we can see them.

Shut your mouth and put
your hands on your head.

Get your hands
behind your back, Frank.

I'd like to see a warrant.

Your attorney wants
to see a warrant, Frank.

Here's your warrant.

Get your hands back up!

Am I under arrest, too?

Get your hands back up!

You guys should try out
for Geraldo Rivera.

You're very tough.

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

Just give me a reason, Frank.

[instrumental music]

Hilbar versus Bradley. Michael?

Uh, Hilbar's heating system
blew up.

Bradley put it in,
but it turns out

that Bradley wasn't even
certified.

So we're suing
for compensatory and punitive.

[sighs] It's like...

trying a case
on the gong show.

Moving on. Meyer versus Meyer.

Yeah, it shouldn't
be too difficult.

After the obligatory
name-calling

and breast-beating,
I'm sure we'll settle out.

In the matter
of Markowitz versus Harris.

Victor: We are due
in court in an hour.

Children's services
has rendered

it's opinion in our favor.

For the record, though,
they usually come down

against withdrawal of consent,
and the judge is free

to disregard
their recommendation,

but it is a plus.

Are you going in, too, Arnie?

Uh, no, Victor thinks
that if we go in

with an army of lawyers,
it's only going to end up

making the girl
look more sympathetic.

On a personal note,
Ann, Stuart,

we wish you the best,

and our hearts
are with you and little Kelsey.

Hear hear.

Thank you, Douglas.

Thanks.

Finally, our payroll snafu
has been rectified.

Our accounts are current,

and income tax pressures
not withstanding,

I'm waiting on your billables
for the month of March, people.

In short, we are back
to business per usual.

Now, if there's nothing else...

we're adjourned.

Good staff meeting, Douglas.

Quick, to the point.
I liked it.

Good to have you back
in the driver's seat, Douglas.

Okay, Mickey,
let's talk numbers.

Let's talk about yesterday.

What the hell was that?

[chuckles]

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

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

[laughs] Exactly.

And you know what?

When those jurors
went home last night,

you think they were
telling their families

about what an awful thing

the defendant did
to the plaintiff?

No way.

They were saying,

"You should have seen
the crazy lawyer we saw today."

And they'll be laughing.

And with each
little giggle, the idea

that this is a serious thing
gets chipped away,

and that translates into
a lighter verdict.

[scoffs] You've got
to be kidding.

Hey, counselor,
you need to get them outraged

and worked up
in order to get your punies.

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

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

Trust me.

Seventy-five thousand.
That's the damages plus ten.

No chance. Your guy lied
about being certified.

He all but blew up
my client's house.

They had to live in a hotel
for two months, no.

You are not sliding out of this
with just compensatories.

Any more than 75, my guy has
to sell his house, he won't.

Well, I guess we have
to go back into court.

Okay.

But I've got to warn you,

I'm feeling pretty funny.

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

I'll see you tomorrow, Frankie.

I'll be the one
dressed like Evita.

[bus engine revving]

In the matter
of the United States of America

versus Frank Weiland Ray Dale.

Counsel?

Terrance Flaherty
for the government.

Ready, Your Honor.

Abigail Perkins
for the defendant.

Ready, Your Honor.

The government asks
the defendant

be held without bond,
Your Honor.

We have information
linking this man

to the sale of millions
of dollars worth of cocaine

and linking him to the murders

of Tyrone Weeks
and Clifford Bagley.

What's the source
of all this information?

A reliable informant.

You just can't say who.

Ask your client
why that is, Ms. Perkins.

Better than that,
ask Cliff Bagleys parents.

They Id'd his body
just before he was supposed

to testify against one
of Frank Weiland's lieutenants.

Mr. Flaherty, you're asking
that the court

take your word
that confidentiality

is necessary here,
is that correct?

Only long enough
to go to trial, Your Honor.

Given the opportunity,
I am confident

we can prove guilt
beyond any reasonable doubt.

Abby: I would ask
that the identity

of the informant be revealed.

I would ask that
a reasonable bond be set

and a hearing pursuant to rule
five point one be scheduled

as soon as possible.

Reasonable bond.

He is no flight risk,
Your Honor.

He's lived here his whole life.

He has no criminal record.

All his current incarceration
does is interfere with him

assisting in the preparation
of his own defense.

I believe Ms. Perkins
made the same speech

for Mark Ross
several weeks ago, Your Honor.

He skipped 24 hours later.

What does that have
to do with it?

Judge Crea: Alright,
that's enough.

I'm setting bond
at a million dollars

or a $100,000 cash equivalent,

with the following conditions.

Mr. Weiland
is to surrender his passport.

He's to keep the United States
Marshal's office

informed of his whereabouts

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

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

That's all.

You might have caved
a little fast

on the passport, counselor.

Don't tell me how
to practice law, Frank.

Flaherty: I want to send
a message loud and clear.

We're going
after the big shots now,

not just the flunkies.

You talked a good game,
Terrance.

You gonna be out here
holding a press conference

when the case is dismissed?

It's not gonna happen
this time, Frank.

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

You do that in court,
Mr. Flaherty,

not in the hallway.

Coming?

Tammy: I guess, at first,
I was afraid to keep her

'cause I didn't have any money

and I wasn't married
or anything.

But now Rick and I
are engaged, and...

we know
we can take care of her.

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

Everybody kept telling me to,
but it was wrong.

Look, I'm sorry to be hurting
you like this,

but there are lots of babies
you can go out there and adopt.

See, she's got my blood,
my genes.

She's part of me.

I can't go out and adopt that.

This is non-responsive,
Your Honor.

No matter what that
contract says, I'm her mama!

Richard: I have
nothing further.

When are you getting
married, Tammy?

I don't know. Soon.

Soon.

And have you found
a place to live yet?

Well, Rick says we're
gonna take care of that

as soon as we're married.

How much money does Rick make?

He earns $320 a week.

Victor: And do
either you or Rick

have any kind of health
or life insurance?

Um, we're gonna
get that as soon--

These are yes or no
questions, Tammy.

Do you have medical
or life insurance or not?

No.

Now, Rick's never graduated
from high school, has he?

You don't need
a college education

to be a committed parent,
Mr. Sifuentes.

No, you don't, Tammy.

Where is this
committed parent today?

That's not fair.

Rick couldn't afford
to fly out here to California.

That is not fair.

You think it's fair to snatch

a baby from a loving home

when you have no place
to live, no insurance...

- Objection!
- Withdrawn.

Tammy: No, no,
I want to answer that!

There's no question before you.

No, he got to make his speech.
I want to make mine.

The witness can make
her statement.

No, we don't have money.
We're not rich.

This baby is not gonna get
swimming pools

and private schools,
but there are things

they can't give her, neither.

One day this baby
is gonna grow up

and wonder who her real mama is

and she's gonna wonder
why she doesn't get to live

with the people who made her,
and that is when

she's gonna
feel deprived, Mr. Sifuentes,

that's when she's gonna
look around at her friends

and wonder why she
doesn't have what they have!

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

Well, if you thought she
would be so deprived,

why did you give her up
for adoption in the first place?

- I changed my mind.
- Yes, you did, Tammy.

And what happens to this child

when you change
your mind again?

No, that's not going to happen.

Victor: Because you love her
so much, right?

Have you ever tried
to visit this child

in the last three months?

Well, no, but...

Have you ever tried to at least

call these people

to at least find out
how she's doing?

Well, no, because I didn't
think they would talk to me.

Well, did you talk to them
before giving up

the baby for adoption

to, to at least
satisfy yourself

that, that these
are good people here?

No, I...

It was too painful for me.
I couldn't.

So you put your own feelings

above the best interests
of the child, then, didn't you?

To be with me
is in her best interests.

Nineteen-eighty-four, you were
arrested and convicted

for selling marijuana,
weren't you?

- Objection!
- Overruled.

I made a mistake.

You gonna smoke a little dope
around this baby, too, Tammy?

Oh, that's not fair.
I don't do drugs.

You just shut up!
I do not do drugs!

Let the record reflect
that the witness is hysterical

and imbalanced.

Let the record reflect

that the witness
is hysterical...

Mr. Sifuentes, that's enough!

I am her mama!

[instrumental music]

I have nothing further,
Your Honor.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

Why was it necessary
to meet here?

Tables in restaurants
are too close together.

My house and your office
are both probably bugged.

You think my office is bugged?

I think it's possible.

They play dirty when it comes
to dope, counselor.

You might also be just
a little bit paranoid.

That doesn't mean I'm wrong.

What is it you want to tell me?

The fed's informant,
he's a whacked-out junkie

named Louis Perez
who used to work for me.

- How do you know?
- I know.

Don't worry about how.

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

We have to prove
he's unreliable

for it to make a difference.

I got rid of him
because he's unreliable.

If he worked for you,
he's in a position

to know about you.

He's got a record a mile long.

Most informants do.

Look, unless I can
discredit him

or he personally recants,

the indictment
will probably hold up.

We need to start thinking
about what kind of deal

we can strike.

Not yet, we don't.

Frank, there's a lot
that you can tell them.

They might be inclined to reduce
your jail time accordingly.

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

Now, Louis Perez
does not send me to jail.

This case will
never come to trial.

This indictment
will be dismissed.

Play to win, counselor.

Otherwise, you never do.

Ross: She was fully aware
of all the terms

when she signed the consent.

In addition to me, she had

independent counsel
advising her.

Then there is no
question in your mind, sir,

that she knew
what she was signing?

None whatsoever.

Thank you, Mr. Burnett.
Nothing further.

How much did the Markowitzes
pay you for this baby?

Ross: I was paid
for legal services

rendered in connection
with the adoption.

Richard: How much, Mr. Burnett?

Ten thousand dollars.

And if they now lose this baby,

they get that money back,
don't they?

Ross: This isn't about money,
Mr. Yzerman.

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

You sell babies for a living
and you're in here now

trying to protect a commission.

- Objection.
Judge Davis: Overruled.

My job is finding good homes

for unwanted babies.

State adoption
agencies do that, sir.

The only difference
is you get rich off it.

I'm a professional,
Mr. Yzerman.

I placed that baby
with the Markowitzes

because they presented
an ideal match

for Tammy Harris' requirements.

An ideal match.

The night the Markowitzes
took custody,

that baby was being shipped
from Arkansas to a...

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Roland.

- Correct?
- Yes.

So what happened to them?

They split up
at the last minute.

Richard: Gee, it sounds
like you were ready to drop

this child
into a real stable environment.

- Objection.
- Sustained.

And so what happened
next, Mr. Burnett?

Did you return
the child to Arkansas

and begin anew
your exhaustive research

for the perfect parents?

I placed the baby
with the Markowitzes.

I spoke to Tammy Harris
at every juncture--

Richard: In fact, sir,
you called

three other perfect couples,

none of whom happened
to be home.

And when the Markowitzes
answered their phone,

they suddenly became
the ideal parents, didn't they?

It wasn't like that.

Richard: It was exactly
like that.

All of this talk
about your detailed process,

and it comes down
to you standing in an airport

dialing numbers on a payphone,

and the first couple
to say hello gets the kid.

Objection!

This man is not on trial here.

His credibility
is very much on trial.

He was doing everything
he could to close a deal

and he has a financial interest

in seeing that
the Markowitzes get custody.

Tammy Harris said yes to them!

Richard: Based on your
recommendation to her.

The recommendation
was based on the fact

that I believed they would
provide an excellent home.

Richard: True or false,
Mr. Burnett.

You spent less than 45 minutes
matching this baby

and that birth mother
with this couple, didn't you?

Ross: I spent hours
with Tammy Harris.

I spent hours
with the Markowitzes.

But you matched Tammy Harris'
daughter with the Rolands!

And less than 45 minutes
after it all falls apart,

you hand the kid
to the Markowitzes, didn't you?

It may have
worked out that way, but--

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

Miles: Believe me,
nobody feels worse

about this disaster than me.

I remember seeing their den
before it blew up.

Let me tell you, it was lovely.

Now, Mr. Bradley,
did you tell the plaintiff

that your company was licensed
to install these heating units?

Mr. Bradley?

Well, we gave them
that impression,

but what we actually said was,

there was no
licensed contractor

more qualified than us,
and that really is true.

Thank you, sir.
I have nothing further.

This was a forced air
heating system, was it not?

- Miles: Yes, it was.
- Mm.

And when you installed
the new furnace,

did you take out
the old gas feeds?

No, we didn't.

Michael: Well, isn't it true,
sir, that the kind of gas feeds

used in this house have
a known tendency

to become corroded or brittle?

Your honor, due
to the unusual dullness

to this line of questioning,

I'd like permission
to tell a joke.

- Objection!
- Denied!

In the alternative,
a short riddle, a limerick?

No.

[sighs] Shot down again.

Mr. Pastorini!

[coughing]

Not now, judge. I'm dying.

Judge McGrath: Get in
my chambers! Now!

[jurors laughing]

[indistinct chatter]

[machine beeps]

- Hi, Michael.
- Grace.

Meet Melanie Hayes.
Grace van Owen.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Melanie: Nice to meet you.

I don't want to interrupt.

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

- Sit here.
Grace: Thanks.

[indistinct chatter]

Are you free to get away
this weekend?

Some R&R would be good for us.

[scoffs]

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

Are you seeing her?

No, I'm not seeing her.

We had dinner together.
It was fun. It was relaxing.

It's the kind of thing you and I
should be doing a lot more of.

I'm sorry the fun
is in short supply.

I'm a little exhausted,
you know?

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I know.

This relationship is
100 percent voluntary, Mickey.

That's right.

That's what makes it
so fragile.

Grace... when we first met...

we had passion.

I want to know where that went.

I don't know.

I have a client to meet.

Michael: So do I.

I'm willing
to be late for mine.

I can't.

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

spend so much time
beating each other up.

Dr. Nagel: And, at five months,
the baby knows no other parents

than Mr. Markowitz
and Ms. Kelsey.

And, doctor, in your
expert medical opinion,

what would be the effect
of removing this baby

from the Markowitzes' custody?

Well, to start with,
she could experience

serious psychosocial
retardation,

making it extremely
difficult for her

to form new attachments
with other people.

Her motor skills could regress.

Her intellectual development
might be impaired.

She might even
experience a suppression

of her immune system.

Would any of this damage
be permanent?

Dr. Nagel: It's very possible.

A separation like this
could shatter

the child's sense of trust
to the point

where she might
never go back to developing it.

She could grow up
completely indifferent

to human attachments.

Victor: Now, doctor, based
on your medical training

and your observation
of the baby,

do you have an opinion
as to whether she should be

taken away
from the Markowitzes?

It's my opinion
that such a separation

would be extremely detrimental
to the child.

Thank you very much, doctor.
Nothing further.

There's no scientific evidence

to support your view
that a separation of this type

would cause any long-term harm

to a five-month-old child,
is there?

There may be
no scientific evidence,

but there's plenty
of anecdotal information.

But anecdotal information
is insufficient

to support a definite
medical conclusion, right?

Dr. Nagel: My opinions
are based

on years of research, counselor,

as well as my specific findings

that Tammy Harris would provide

an environment
of instability for the child.

Richard: You ever meet
Tammy Harris, doctor?

Well, not personally, no,

but I've read
the social worker's report.

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

- No, I haven't.
- Thank you.

Dr. Nagel, you testified
that you observed a bond

between the baby
and Ms. Kelsey.

- Isn't that right?
- Yes.

Richard: And you also observed
a bond between the baby

and the Markowitzes'
nanny, Stella Lee, didn't you?

Yes.

And you didn't see
any noticeable difference

between those two bonds,
did you?

The fact that the child
also bonded with the nanny

does not undermine
the attachment to Ms. Kelsey.

I see.

And what would happen

if the Markowitzes
replaced this nanny

as they did the last one?

What affect would
that have on the child?

It could cause a disruption.

In fact, it can cause
all of those things

you were talking about.

Loss of trust, insecurity,

damage to self-esteem.

All of that could happen,
couldn't it?

It's possible,
but I don't think--

And doctor, in your opinion,

a baby is generally better off

with one primary caretaker

rather than a rotating
mother-nanny system, right?

Well, in general, one primary
caretaker is preferred, yes.

Thank you, doctor. That's all.

Redirect, Your Honor.

Specifically, Dr. Nagel,

who is this baby
better off with?

- The Markowitzes.
- Thank you, doctor.

How much are you being paid

for today's testimony,
Dr. Nagel?

Three thousand dollars.

And who's paying you?

The Markowitzes.

Thank you.

[instrumental music]

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

[scoffs] Great. I wasn't going
to start on it till the weekend.

They're not paying
you overtime, Diana.

Don't go giving them
your nights.

Diana: I like it here. And home
isn't that great these days.

Daryl and I have separated.
We're divorcing.

Oh. I'm sorry. That's sudden.

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

Now appears to be the time.

He's found someone
to share a place with,

and I'm getting a paycheck,

so I can handle
the rent on my own.

Well, sounds like
you got a plan.

You seem fine about it, are you?

No.

Hey, there's got to be
something to do here.

Let's cheer you up,
you want to go roller-skating?

Drive to El Monte,
see if "Mississippi Burning"

is less obnoxious dubbed
in Spanish?

[sighs] I-- I shouldn't
have said

I wasn't fine, I am, I...

I'm functioning.
I'm... I'm fine.

Okay.

The Truax file is on the desk,
on top of the box.

Uh, oh, okay.

[telephone ringing]

- Thanks.
- Sure.

Let's hear it, Ms. Perkins.

Your Honor,
I have reason to believe

that the informant in this case

is an individual
by the name of Louis Perez,

also known as Louis Cato,
also known as Rosario Cruz.

I also have reason to believe
that he's wholly unreliable.

And the government's
reliance upon him as a witness

should serve
to dismiss the indictment

against my client.

Mr. Flaherty?

Your honor, it is the policy

of the United States
attorney's office

to neither confirm
nor deny the identity

of a confidential informant,
when to do so

would compromise their security.

[knocking on door]

Judge, there's a guy
named Louie Perez out there,

he says he wants to testify.

You knew he was going
to show up, didn't you?

I didn't know anything
of the kind.

Abby: Mr. Perez,
earlier this week

an individual appeared before
a federal grand jury

and accused Frank Weiland

of bringing
more than 500 kilograms

of cocaine into this country,

and of ordering the murders

of Tyrone Weeks
and Clifford Bagley.

- Abby: Are you that individual?
- Yeah, ma'am.

Abby: Were those charges true?

- No.
- Why'd you make them?

I got picked up for possession.

Two stinking rocks.

Mr. Flaherty said
I'd get eight to ten,

so I gave him what he wanted
and he let me go.

Abby: Why are you changing
your story now?

Believe it or not,
I-- I got kids.

And one thing
I always tell them,

I-- I say, "What goes around,
comes around."

Uh, I've been getting high
for 20 years.

All I want to do is go straight

and not burn nobody no more.

I have no further questions.

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

The cop that was beating
the crap out of me told me.

I didn't get his name.

Where did this beating
take place?

An alley off of Hope Street.

Did you get
any medical attention?

- Louie: No.
- Any marks you can show us?

[sighs] Cops don't leave marks.

Dark alley, a nameless cop,
and no marks or bruises.

Hey, look, I, I was sick.

You guys had me scared to death.

Well, who's scaring
you now, Louie?

- Objection.
- Sustained.

Did Frank Weiland
contact you at all

prior to this hearing?

- No.
Flaherty: What?

No.

Flaherty: Did he threaten
to kill you?

No, nobody threatened me.

Flaherty: What about your kids?

What about my kids?

Did he threaten
to kill your kids?

No, nobody threatened
to kill my kids.

Judge Crea: Anything else,
Mr. Flaherty?

Not at the present time,
Your Honor.

Well, that being the case,

I am prepared to rule.

I find this informant
to be wholly unreliable.

Mr. Flaherty, I believe

you actually sought
to conceal that fact.

I find your conduct
reprehensible

and an abuse
of the grand jury process.

Accordingly,
this indictment is dismissed.

The defendant is free to go.

One thing you have to know
about trial lawyers,

ladies and gentlemen,
they love to perform.

And if all the world's a stage,

and all the people
in it merely players,

then counsel for the defense

is one of the best.

He tells jokes.

He sings songs.

I can't even carry a tune,

and I have never been
very good with jokes.

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

But I have to tell you
that on a stage...

I'm no match for my opponent.

But I wonder how entertaining
his jokes would be

if someone had been killed
or maimed.

I wonder how delightful
we'd find his musical numbers

if we had been
forced to hole up

in a hotel for a month.

Well, the fact
of the matter is,

that all the world
is not a stage,

and all the men and women
are not players.

And this man,
this man really lied.

He really endangered the lives
of people who trusted him.

These people
were really hurt by him.

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

All the funny bits in the world

are not going
to change the fact

that these people
really suffered,

or relieve us of our obligation
to take it seriously.

And do you feel you see evidence
of this bonding

in the way the baby behaves?

She doesn't like
to be held by strangers.

She cries and when
she's given back to me

or Stuart, she stops.

Uh, Ms. Kelsey...

do you really think
this child knows you?

[sighs] It's so hard
to prove my relationship

to a person who can't
really communicate.

All I can say is
when she sees me,

she sees a person
who will take care of her.

A person who will
love her forever.

She feels comfort.

She feels safe...

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

Thanks. I have nothing further.

How's your relationship
with your mother?

Objection.

Studies show
that a relationship

with the parent
directly impacts

upon the relationship
with the child.

I'll allow it.

Richard: You didn't invite her
to your own wedding

last year, did you?

She was at my wedding.

That's because she
showed up uninvited, right?

My mother and I have
had some difficult times,

but we've worked them out.

Thank you, how many hours
do you work each day, ma'am?

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

Well, according to your
firm's billing records,

you've been averaging
39.7 hours a week

for the last two months.

That's seven point nine
hours a day.

I-- I take work home.

Richard: Yes, well,
the point is,

you represented to Mr. Burnett,

and, derivatively,
to Ms. Harris,

that you'd be putting in
half-days after you got

the baby, standard workday
is eight hours.

You've been putting in
seven point nine, big cutback.

No, those figures
are misleading, sometimes--

You mean you've been
billing clients

for hours not really worked?

I mean, some of those hours
are spent

reading at home
with Kelsey on my lap.

Oh, yes, that's right.

You have no aversion
to bringing work to the baby

or baby to the work, do you?

What's that supposed to mean?

I mean you've sometimes brought

this child into the law firm

to be babysat by secretaries.

That happened
in a couple of days

when we were between nannies.

And did you once use
this baby as a device

to frustrate
an opponent's deposition?

What?

I have here a motion
for cost filed against you

by attorney John Brianson,

in which he claims
you deliberately used this baby

to protract
the discovery process.

That motion is ludicrous,
and so are you

for trying to take
advantage of it.

Let the record reflect
the hostility of the witness.

[sighs]

I took the baby
to work two days.

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

Ms. Kelsey, what religion
do you intend for this child?

We haven't decided yet.

You haven't decided
whether this person

shall be raised
as a Christian or a Jew?

We will decide,
we just haven't yet.

In fact, ma'am,
you and your husband

cannot agree on this issue
can you?

Answer the question, Ms. Kelsey.

No, we don't agree.

Well, that's okay.

It's just religion.

As long as you can concur
on the big things,

like what depositions
to use her for.

- Objection.
Richard: Withdrawn.

You're divorced...

from a previous marriage,
are you not?

Yes.

Mm-hmm. I have nothing further.

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

You held up okay, Ann.

We knew this guy was going
to come after you.

If you put me up there, Victor,
I'm ready for Mr. Yzerman.

I am not putting you
on the stand, Stuart.

What are you talking
about, how can you not...

If I let you testify,

Yzerman's going to grill you
the same way.

Victor, how's the judge
going to know what I am

if I don't testify?

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

- What?
- What?

You are an attorney
of records, Stuart.

There is no problem.
I'll just inform the court.

This way we get to put you
up there before the judge

with no risk
of cross-examination.

Victor, I... I don't...

I've never done a closing.

Stuart, this thing
is too damn close.

We have used every advantage
that we can get.

I think a plea from the parent

is going to be
a lot more powerful

than any argument from counsel.

He may be right, Stuart.

Victor: I'll do the closing
if you want,

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

[sighs]

Then I'll do it.

You sure?

I'm very sure.

Foreman: In the matter
of Hilbar versus Bradley,

we the jury find
in favor of the plaintiff

and order the defendant
to pay compensatory damages

in the amount of $82,000,

and punitive damages
in the amount of one hundred...

and twenty-five thousand
dollars.

Well, ladies and gentlemen
of the jury, thank you

for your time,
your service is at an end.

This court is now adjourned.

[thud]

[indistinct chatter]

Well done, Michael.

Melanie, about this trial,

it was absolutely typical.

[laughs] Uh-huh, uh-huh.

Well, you were wonderful.

I hope we can do
this again sometime.

Me, too.

Congratulations.

Yeah, I almost managed
to snatch defeat

from the jaws of victory.

The gorilla suit
was a great idea.

Ah, a desperate act
by a desperate man.

I fell in love with you
in that monkey suit,

and judging by the look
on Melanie Hayes' face

during your closing,
she did, too.

You have nothing
to be jealous about, Grace.

Yes, I do.
That's the problem.

I-- if...

If we were really happy
together, if, if...

If we really were
in love with each other,

there would be no reason
to be jealous.

I love you, Kuzak.

I do.

I always will.

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

Grace...

Don't you think
we should work on this?

[sighs] We've done nothing
but work on it.

I love you, too, Grace.

[sighs]

[Michael scoffs]

I know you do.

So if we love
each other so much,

why is this happening?

I don't know.

May... maybe, uh...

Maybe some time apart.

[sighs]

[sighs]

I promised myself
I wouldn't cry.

[Michael sighs]

I have never loved you more
than I do at this very moment.

Oh, Mickey.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

They may want her, judge...

but the Markowitzes
do not present

an ideal household.

Their fundamental differences
in religion

can only breed instability.

Their work schedules
are prohibitive.

Miss Kelsey comes
from a failed marriage,

a failed relationship
with her own mother.

Some question exists
as to whether she's capable

of sustaining
any loving relationship.

Tammy Harris may not be able
to pay experts

and psychiatrists
to testify for her,

but she's ready to be
what her child needs most,

a full-time mother.

Not somebody who
squeezes in quality time

between depositions
and partners' meetings,

not somebody who
as she holds the child

on her lap at night,
reads trial transcripts,

but somebody to be there
every day, all day.

Tammy Harris' daughter
deserves that.

Tammy Harris' daughter
deserves Tammy Harris.

Um...

We'll, we'll probably let her
choose her own religion

when she's old enough.

And whereas Ann
and I may not share

the same... underlying tenets
in our respective faiths...

we both know that any religion
starts with the love of God...

and commitment to family.

And we have that, Your Honor.

We have that big.

As for this woman's... ability

to sustain
a loving relationship.

Let me tell you,
that the last two years

have been the most loving...

and most meaningful time
of my life.

And if this little baby...

gets half of what I've gotten
from this wonderful person,

then her life will be very rich,
indeed. Believe me.

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

Excuse me.

[clears throat] Heard from us.

You've heard
from the psychiatrists.

I just wish
you could hear from her.

[chuckles]

She would say that her...

name is Kelsey Markowitz...

and that she lives
at 495 Kenter Avenue

in Brentwood, California.

And that this is her mother,

and I'm her father.

And we would all just
like to go home now.

[crying]

[indistinct chatter]

Diana.

- Are you eating with anybody?
- Just picking up.

I want to talk.
Grab that table.

Yeah.

What you going to do with that?

Have it for dinner.

Excuse me.

Listen.

I was dense yesterday.

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

Let me represent you
in the divorce.

Oh, Jonathan. No.

We're just going
to do it ourselves.

There's nothing to split up.

Sure there is.
Furniture, a car.

You want him running off
with the dishes?

[chuckles]

This was a no-frills marriage.

It's going to be
a minimalist divorce.

Besides, Daryl and I
have been very careful

to keep this clean.

I don't want him to think
I'm taking advantage of him

by rolling in
the heavy artillery.

Yeah. I'm flattered.

Okay. Promise me two things.

Number one... let me go over
everything before you sign it.

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

- Okay.
Jonathan: And a third thing.

What?

Jonathan: Talk to somebody
about this.

'cause if you don't,
you're going to start

walking into doors.

- Alright.
- Alright.

Ten thousand, huh?

Ten thousand.

Tell you what.

Here's the ten
you're asking for.

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

Just pay me my fee, Frank.

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

Counselor, counselor.

I really think you could
kill children, you know that?

What are you talking about?

You threatened Louie Perez.

I didn't have to threaten him.

Yeah, well, I can't
represent someone

that I can't bear to look at.

Go find yourself
another lawyer, Frank.

Abby.

- Abigail Perkins?
- Yes?

I'd like you
to leave everything

exactly the way it is, please.

Stand up, put your hands
on your head.

What?

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

You're being charged
with engaging

in a monetary transaction

involving criminally
derived proceeds.

I'm going to ask you
once again.

Stand up, put your hands
on your head.

Would you please stand
with your legs apart?

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

Your lawyer
broke the law, Frank.

I'm just doing my job.

Since when is it against the law
to be paid?

To be paid in drug money?

Ever since they passed the money
laundering control act.

And it's always been
against the law

to threaten
a federal witnesses.

You think I threatened
a federal witness?

I know somebody did.
I just can't prove it.

As for your taking drug
money, though,

that I can prove.

Whenever I get
a case like this,

I secretly hope one of you
will turn out to be a monster,

or... at least unfit,

so as to make my decision
an easy one.

That didn't happen here.

Ms. Kelsey,
Mr. Markowitz, Ms. Harris,

you're all worthy parents.

And I have no reservations

about any of your
respective abilities

to love and care
for this child.

Which makes this decision
all the more difficult.

Economically, the Markowitzes
are better positioned.

There's no question.

Nor is there any doubt
that a change

at this time
will traumatize the child,

though there's no proof

it will cause
any long-term harm.

I'm a working woman.

My children had
successive nannies.

Yet they were loved
by their mother,

and they knew it.

But when I consider the...

essence of parenting...

then I must consider
who's most likely to provide

continuous emotional support?

Who's most likely
to be there for the child,

and be with the child,

during these very
crucial formative years?

Mr. Markowitz.

Ms. Kelsey.

I know this will cause you
devastating pain.

Oh, no.

Judge Davis: Unfortunately,
that pain

cannot factor
into my judgment here.

I hereby find the circumstances
of Tammy Harris' life

to have significantly changed,

making reasonable
the withdrawal of her consent.

I further grant her
petition for habeas corpus.

Bailiff, please deliver
the baby to Ms. Harris.

Ann: No.

Your Honor.

Could we at least have
another day to say goodbye?

Judge Davis: I'm sorry, no.

You have to say
your goodbye now.

[crying]

[instrumental music]

[Ann crying]

Goodbye, honey.

We love you.

Stuart: Goodbye, Kelsey.

Be good, huh.

Bailiff.

[Ann crying]

Tammy: I've never even
held you before.

Hi, Carol. Oops.

Hi, Carol. It's your mama.

You're finally back with mama.

Yes. Yes.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]