Original subtitles

Gina: With us this morning are Brad Sanford

Rosalie Baskin, and Jonathan Rollins,

recently cited in Southland Magazine

as the hottest young lawyers in Los Angeles.

Good morning and welcome.

Brad: Good morning. Rosalie: Hi.

You're looking good, Jonathan.

- Let's start - Great suit.

Gina: What's the consequence-- - He looks great.

Being acknowledged like this, more clients, better cases.

Rosalie: The biggest consequence is that

the partners are beginning to remember my name.

And my firm has over 300 lawyers.

And it's an accomplishment

just to be recognized in your own office.

And Brad, your firm has over 400 lawyers, right?

Brad: Four twenty-five.

The firms are definitely getting bigger in L.A.,

either by growth or merger.

- Hot attorney. Gina: How about you, Jonathan?

According to the article, you were pursued

by every Wall Street firm in New York

and all the big boys in L.A.

and you chose to go with teeny tiny McKenzie, Brackman.

- Teeny tiny? Jonathan: I like to think

of this more as a boutique than as teeny tiny.

- Boutique? Woman: Okay. That's fair.

But still, why McKenzie, Brackman?

I don't know good money.

- Seriously? - Seriously.

Jonathan: Truth is it's great with good people.

What makes it different from the bigger firms?

I'm not sure, basically a law firm is a law firm.

You know, we've all got the paternalistic senior partner.

We got the administrative partner

who counts every paperclip.

Rosalie: Ours to make you signup for soft drinks.

Jonathan: A nebbishy tax guy.

- Nebbishy? - Don't take it personally.

Jonathan: Ä lecherous divorce lawyer.

[laughs]

Jonathan: We've got your basic civil rights fanatic.

Our research count

and a couple crusading liberals,

a woman's libber

and a little bit of color, for show.

So am I the libber or the liberal?

- Nebbishy, you believe that? - Gina: What about your peers,

aren't they a little bit jealous

of all the attention you've been getting?

I've sense some coolness, Gina , but

I think they're mature enough to accept my status.

I think they like my...

my fearless style.

And your modesty.

Jonathan: Now truthfully,

the lawyers of McKenzie, Brackman

have been very supportive.

I bet they've watching this right now and cheering me on.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

People, if we can get started.

Stuart, I see you have a meeting scheduled

with the Lundstrum children .

Yeah, they're a little upset.

Mom cut them out of the will

and left everything to a TV evangelist.

Yes, well, since it's a multimillion dollar estate,

I urge your diligence.

Michael, Statler versus Goodwin Procter, an Englander.

Ah, the jury has picked, we're ready to go.

Opposing counsel is coming in this morning

to make their final offer.

Just between us,

I would've fired somebody that fat myself.

I'm surprised they hired her in the first place.

She happens to be one of the most

competent attorneys I've ever met.

And the size of her body

is her business and no one else's.

Thank God.

Moving on, Miss Kelsey,

what's this meeting with General Scanning, Inc.?

Uh, new client, laser technology.

They want to trademark some of their special effects,

holograms or something.

Can you get a trademark on a special effect?

You mean transparent 3D imagery?

[chuckles] I read.

[laughs]

Ann: Anyway, I will know more about it

as soon as I found out exactly what it is they do.

Good morning.

Here's the superstar.

Yeah, thanks, Jonathan. Lecherous?

Jonathan: Hey, I didn't mean you.

- Nebbishy. - I was talking in generalities.

- Yeah, right. - Hey, come on.

Where's your sense of humor?

It's buried beneath the Tow le interrogatories

which I want finished on my desk

tomorrow morning, Mr. Hot Shot.

Tomorrow, I'll be up all night.

You can do it for the good of the boutique.

This is retaliatory.

If it'll make you feel any better,

we'll all be home in front of our televisions

cheering you on.

We're adjourned.

Stuart, are you to lunch next week

- on the Fitsemen's matter? Stuart: Yeah.

Abby tells me that police got to stickup man.

The yuppie bandit is no longer at large .

They caught him trying to fence the Rolex.

Stuart and I ID'd him last night.

Well, what about the diamond ring?

Gone forever, but at least we got our precious watch back.

Mike, Lynn Stetler is here to see you.

Be sure and tell me when Trischuta gets here.

I'll do it.

- So, are you all set? - I'm ready.

Any word from the other side?

Not yet. Come on in.

Michael, I noticed that the dietitian

is not on our witness list.

Well, the fact that you tried to lose the weight

isn't really relevant.

Not legally maybe, but

I'll be much more sympathetic to the jury

if they know I made the effort.

That's true.

And we should establish that my parents were heavy

and that this is probably genetic,

mitigating circumstances, my boy.

Lynn, I got it covered.

Sorry. It's just that I know of you much less blameworthy

if we can prove that my condition

is a product of metabolism and not appetite.

[phone beep]

- Yeah? Woman 2: Michael,

John Trischuta is here to see you.

Uh, I'll be ready in a minute.

Should I go or stay?

Lynn, [sighs] let me take a whack at this alone.

Not a penny under 135, counselor.

- Alright. - And nothing structured.

- Ms. Stetler. - Mr. Trischuta.

Well, John, what's the good word.

Fifty.

Nope, it's going to take a hundred and fifty.

Oh, come on, Michael, you can't be serious.

- Well, this is discrimination. - Wait, wait.

You wanna show me the constitutional amendment

for fat people?

It was bad faith termination, John.

They fired her for being overweight

when she weighed exactly the same

as the day that they hired her.

Michael, you've got an impossible case here.

You never gonna show bad faith.

You can't point to one single incident

where her weight impacted on her performance.

Look, I don't want to try this one.

We both know I'll have to go after her

and it's not gonna be pretty.

Please, let's make it go away so nobody gets hurt.

Fine.

But, the going away price

is one-fifty.

but for you one fourty-five.

Ah, you're gonna make me go in there

and be the big bad wolf, aren't you?

Sure you don't want one?

I mean, doesn't it seem strange to you?

Leaving everything to a TV evangelist

named Billy Bob Thomas?

You see Gail it's her money.

- She's got that right. - What about our rights?

It's family money.

We're her family.

Look, we were thinking

What about the possibility of maybe

getting her declared incompetent or something?

Whoa!

I maybe the family lawyer,

but I'm your mother's lawyer first.

If you guys want to become adversarial about this,

I'm gonna advice you to seek independent counsel.

Look, we don't want to hire some shark to attack her.

But, come on, we're talking about $30 million

she's prepared to throw away on some two-bit preacher

with three first names.

Her health is failing as it is.

We'd like to work this out without hurting her.

Oh, that's very admirable.

But if you go into court challenging her sanity,

I guarantee you, you're going to hurt her a lot.

And what about the hurt she's always inflicted on us?

She's always used the money as a club.

What if you talk to her? She trusts you.

You don't think you want to talk to her yourselves.

We've tried.

It always ends up with her giving us the silent treatment.

I'll see what I can do, okay?

[knocking on door]

Come in.

Arnie.

There's a mistake in my paycheck.

It's a $100 more than it supposed to be.

I affirm that it's your raise.

A raise?

A week ago they were gonna fire me.

It's out of your pocket, isn't it?

What's the difference where it comes from?

Thank you, Arnie...

for this.

For sticking by me,

for not clubbing me on the head

with I told you so and so about Jimmy.

Rox, you're not the first person

to fall in love and make a mistake.

I guess I'd, I'd feel better about myself

if it was just love.

But it wasn't.

I was seduced by the money.

All around me everyday

I see people with great clothes,

great cars, great houses.

It gets to me sometimes.

There's nothing wrong with wanting the same things

as everyone else, Rox.

Oh, I know.

I know I can want them.

The difference is,

I was stealing them.

Anyway... I just want you to know,

I'm pretty glad you're in my corner.

Ouch. The hair.

[telephone ringing]

This is John Vincent of Vincent Construction .

So?

So what does he want from us?

He wants us to represent his nephew in a criminal matter .

You mean he wants me to represent him

You 're the litigator, not me .

Charlie, John Vincent is reputed to be

one of the most powerful figures

in organized crime

in the Western United States.

I think the key word there is reputed.

We start turning away clients

because of that sort of vicious gossip.

Hey, I was a D.A, remember?

This guy has been linked to racketeering,

prostitution, drugs, murder.

I don 't think we wanna start representing mobsters.

Has he ever been convicted of a crime?

Not to my knowledge.

Has he even been charged?

No.

Have you ever even met the man?

No.

Grace, we're a law firm.

We're supposed to be looking for clients.

Don't you think a face to face meeting is called for here

before you decide to turn down a client

who could conceivably funnel

an enormous volume of legal work our way?

Alright. I'll meet with him.

Atta girl. I'll set it up.

[instrumental music]

Hello?

Hello?

[suspense music]

[laughs]

Douglas: Just a laser show, Mr. Fearless.

Here's your ghost. Here's your ghost.

How are those interrogatories coming?

[all laughing]

That's funny!

That's real funny. Thank you all very much.

You're welcome.

Stuart: I think he took it very well.

Let's get back to the ship!

[telephone ringing]

I'm told you didn't appreciate what happened last night?

Not true.

I think I fully appreciated what happened last night.

Everyone acting in concert to embarrass me.

Well, you know, Jonathan.

The peacock that struts around with his feathers out

makes for an easy target.

I didn't do anything to cause that

kind of resentment, Leland.

If you ask me, the resentment was waiting for me

the first day I walked through these doors.

You didn't do anything?

Well, you pranced around, telling everyone,

you were making more money.

You defied my direct instructions, several times.

You connived to steal a client from Stuart

you set off a smoke bomb in a deposition

and now you mock us on television.

That's doing something, Jonathan.

If I tend to be aggressive,

it's because as a black man

I feel I have to prove myself.

People here look at me and see affirmative action,

nobody is going to accept me, Leland.

They think I'm just part of an equal opportunity program.

We accepted you the day we hired you

and I think you know that.

And I suppose last night's cruel joke

was just a way of saying welcome to the club.

Actually, it was a lot more than that.

It was a way of knocking you down a peg.

You need our help, Jonathan,

and our friendship.

But you've been too arrogant,

and too self-important, to accept it.

And that has nothing to do with color, my friend.

That joke last night served two purposes,

to let you know how angry we were

and to invite you to share a laugh with everybody

at your own expense.

And I think you missed a point

on both counts.

[telephone ringing]

Edith: Who I leave my money to is not your concern, Stuart.

Your job is to carry out my wishes,

not to shape them.

And all I t m trying to do is locate exactly

what it is your wishes are.

Well, I told you.

Every penny to the Reverend.

- Am I being ambiguous? - Yeah. Yeah.

As a matter of fact, you're being ambiguous.

That hostile tone in your voice is more compatible

with an active vengeance than it is with charity.

It seems to me you're much more interested

in taking away than you're giving too.

- Well, you're flat out wrong. - Am I?

I've known you long time, Mrs. Lundstrum.

You've been involved with the homeless,

environmental groups,

a whole long list of charities,

anyone of which you could've given your money to

and yet you chose to give it

to the Reverend Billy Bob Thomas

a diamond studded cable tv preacher. Why?

I have my reasons.

I think I know what they are.

If you had chosen any one of these worthy charities,

you would run the risk of not hurting your children enough.

But by choosing this pulpit thumper

then they really get the message, don't they?

What message would they get if I left them everything?

That I 'm grateful they never come to see me?

That I enjoy eating alone every Sunday,

or that I relish the hollow echo

of an empty hospital room when I'm sick?

They come a few times a year,

Christmas and Thanksgiving,

with the word obligation

written all over their faces .

Well, yeah.

They're grown up.

They have their own lives to lead.

I'm still their mother.

There's still a few things I can do to punish them.

Look, obviously you can give your money to anybody you want.

[sighs] I just think that this way,

the very last testament of Edith Lundstrum,

is an act of bitterness.

I don't think that's right.

What you have written here is an ending.

an ending to a relationship that's not over yet.

I would like your permission to tear this thing up.

[knock on door]

Grace, John Vincent, Grace Van Owen .

A genuine pleasure, Ms. Van Owen.

Thank you. Please have a seat.

I 've been an admirer of yours for some time.

- You're a fine attorney. - Thank you.

Tough-minded, aggressive, but principled. Qualities I admire.

You're embarrassing me, Mr. Vincent.

My father was Mr. Vincent, I'm John.

Alright, John.

Charlie tells me that you're seeking representation

for your nephew?

Yes. Ah, Tommy the Terrible.

I , uh, I brought you copies of the police report,

the filing, attorney's motions.

What 's wrong with your nephew's

current representation?

Nothing. He's a fine young man.

But I felt we needed someone

who really knows her way around the system.

To be perfectly honest about it, Tommy's a hothead.

He's been in and out of trouble

with the law since he was a teenager.

I took him into the construction business

as a favor to my sister,

and he's been a real project.

But his murder charge

it's totally without foundation.

He's got quite a record,

assault, assault with intent, concealed weapon.

Look, Ms. Van Owen. If I can be blunt.

I know what you're thinking.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

But the fact is, construction is a tough business.

If you achieve the kind of success I have,

you inevitably become the object of a lot of nasty rumors.

I can't do anything about that.

But, I am not a crook...

I'm a legitimate businessman with a serious family problem.

I'm trying to help out with. I need help.

And since Charlie and I are long-time friends,

I naturally came to him. May I count on you?

[sighs]

Let me review the case, make some calls.

And, uh... I'll let you know.

Bless you.

We're gonna have some lunch, Grace. You want to join us?

No, I think I'll get on this right away.

Thanks, though.

Grace: John. - Thank you again.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Okay.

Lynn: He called me into his office and told me

I had three months to find other employment.

Did he tell you why you were being fired?

Obesity.

He said that my appearance was not commensurate

with the firm's profile.

And had you had any indication during the four previous years

that your performance was unacceptable.

I rank second in billable hours

and first in productivity.

I was led to believe I was one of the firm's best associates.

Then Mr. Langella comes in

takes over his managing partner

and suddenly tells me my potential is limited.

Did he specify the nature of these limitations?

He told me, I could not try cases

since juries would not accept me.

I used to interview candidates for jobs.

He told me I would have to stop that

because the applicants found me...

The word he used was repulsive.

Basically, he said that the world

had a negative attitude towards fat people

and he did not want that feeling running to the firm.

Thank you, Ms. Stetler.

Your witness.

Even before Mr. Langella took over as managing partner,

you were never allowed to try cases, were you?

I never wanted to try cases--

Because you knew, as they did that the way you looked

might alienate a jury, correct?

That is not correct, I was hired as a corporate attorney,

not a litigator, and it was not my function to appear in court.

I see. But you said one of your functions

was to interview applicants for jobs, right?

Tell me, what did you look for in a candidate?

Intelligence. Communicative skills...

- Appearance? - Not solely.

Not solely, but no matter how intelligent,

you wouldn't hire someone if their appearance

was offensive, would you?

- I'm not offensive, Sir! - I didn't ask you that.

I asked whether you would hire someone

whose appearance offended you.

Probably not.

So there's nothing in proper

about discharging someone

for the way he or she looks, is there?

Your client was guilty of bad faith counselor.

Thank you for your legal conclusion, Ms. Stetler,

but for now just answer my questions.

How many other firms have you yourself

interviewed with since your discharge ?

I'm not sure, several.

- Any offers of employment? - No.

What's the problem, lack of intelligence

or communicative skills?

Objection.

Do you make room for the possibility, Ms. Stetler,

that these other firms failed to consider you

because of your obesity?

It's possible.

And would these firms, then, also be guilty of bad faith?

- Objection! John: Withdrawn.

Ms. Stetler, could you describe for the court your social life?

I object, this line of questioning.

Your Honor, she's claiming that the conduct of my client

deviated from standards of human decency

and I intend to show the assumptions

made by my client with respect

to the witness and her obesity

are no different than judgments

made every single day about her

in all walks of life.

I'm gonna give you very little latitude here, counselor .

Ever been married, Ms. Stetler?

No.

Ever been personally involved with a man?

Isn't it true you 've never even been asked out on a date?

- This is ridiculous! - I agree! Mr. Trischuta.

I apologize, Your Honor,

and Ms. Stetler I apologize to you.

But isn't it true, for your personal life,

your professional life, your entire life,

people have readily dismissed you

simply because you are fat.

That fact that everyone does it does not excuse it.

No it doesn't.

But if it's a reality,

how can you blame my client for recognizing it.

Nothing further.

[indistinct chatter]

- You okay? - Fine.

In here a second.

I'm sorry, Lynn. I should've cut those questions off.

You couldn't.

People get disgusted when they look at me,

it's completely relevant.

Nobody gets disgusted.

I see them, Michael.

With all this fat, you'd think the Almighty

could've at least given me thicker skin.

No matter how often you hear it, it still hurts.

C'mon Lynn. That was just a lawyer in there

doing what he had to do

to win a case and you know it.

Yup. You know what else?

He didn't even have to do his homework on this one.

All he had to do just see me right up there on that stand.

He knew instantly I was never invited to my high school prom.

You think he needed an investigator to find out

I never got any marriage proposals?

Well, as far as I know, marriage proposals

are not very good yardsticks

for measuring self-worth.

Nice theory.

You want to know the reality?

When my friends used to go to dances

and cheerleader practice, I went to the library.

And I studied and I studied and I studied,

because I was damn determined

I was going to be the best lawyer

that anybody could be.

And what the hell did it get me?

Fired, for not looking like a cheerleader.

I don't want to be fat, damnit.

It shouldn't matter!

Why does it always have to matter?

Stuart Markowitz.

Barry Braunstein with Jacob & Epstein?

Hi.

"Reasonable doubt for a reasonable fee"

- Sings, don't it? - Very nice.

New slogan for our criminal practice.

Here, check out our personal injury logo.

"Torture Us."

I like that.

Mr. Markowitz, do you know an Edith Lundstrum?

Yeah, why?

Well, she called us to her house

this morning to execute her new will

and I mean a monster.

She went to Jacob & Epstein?

We 've executed over 400,000 wills nationwide, pal,

how many have you done?

Well, I'm sure your work is excellent.

You better hope so.

The woman left every cent to you.

- What? - Thirty million fat ones.

Along with the house to stub that basis.

- Is this a gag? - No, gag.

It 's all bequeathed to you, with the knowledge that you'll

that you'll do the right thing with it, see?

I'm gonna get her on the phone and clear this up right away.

Ah, that's going to be difficult, Mr. Markowitz.

You see, uh, Mrs. Lundstrum

stroked out late this afternoon.

[instrumental music]

This is an unbelievable mess.

The children already got themselves a new attorney

and the Reverend's gonna be nut cakes.

- Stuart, can we talk? - I'd love to talk, Ann

but I got a room full of lawyers out there,

waiting to chop me up in little pieces, so I got to go.

Ann, please we've been over this already.

But Stuart, thirty million dollars.

We'd be rich.

We're already rich.

But do you have any idea

what we can do with that kind of money, Stuart?

I know exactly what to do with it.

I'm gonna give it to her children.

Are you crazy?

They wouldn't know how to handle it.

Ann, for the last time, it's not my money.

- The will says it is. - Fine.

Then if I want to turn around and give it to her children.

- That's my business. - Uh-uh.

Community property, Bub. It's my business too.

Oh, come on.

Stuart, I'm not talking about keeping the money for us,

we'll start a charitable trust.

And we go again.

Don't you see what an opportunity this is, Stuart ?

I can quit massing billable hours in McKenzie Brackman

and actually concentrate on making the world

a better place.

With a little prudent investing.

Stuart, how many people get the chance

to do something good, something meaningful?

Think about it, Stuart.

I don't want to think about it.

Then don't.

For once in your life, stop contemplating your navel

and just take the money, okay?

For once in your life stop pushing me, okay?

And here's Stuart Markowitz, our heir apparent.

Stuart, this is Bob Silvia,

the new attorney for the Lundstrum children.

And Richard Boggs,

the attorney for the Reverend Billy Bob Thomas.

I've brought with me Douglas Brackman,

who'll be serving as my attorney.

And this is Ann Kelsey, my wife.

Splendid. Great.

Now folks, you've all got copies of the will

and since I anticipate a couple of problems in probating--

This is no will, it's garbage.

And you, sir, are a blatant thief.

- Hey! - This is undue influence!

I take exception of that, sir.

State bar is taking exception too, I reported you.

On what grounds?

You go to the home of an ailing elderly woman.

You personally tear up the existing will,

a will that left you nothing.

Then suddenly there's a new one leaving you everything.

And how does that concern you?

The will he tore up left nothing to the children.

It all went to client, Reverend Billy Bob.

Bringing me to scam number two!

Boggs: Now that's out of line! - Mr. Silvia!

I agree what he did was despicable.

He did nothing despicable.

Whoa, whoa! How about this? I don't want the money!

Just declare the will void

and split it up anyway you want.

- Stuart! - Absolutely not.

That will is valid and I have a fiduciary duty

to give it full force and effect!

- Oh for God's sake! - Just a second here!

This document leaves everything to Stuart,

for I quote

"his sound counsel, advice, and friendship!"

- That 's right! Boggs: Meaning?

People people, people!

If this money was left to Mr. Markowitz

as compensation for counsel he rendered

in his capacity as a partner of McKenzie Brackman,

this money belongs to the firm.

[indistinct chatter]

- It's a theory. - Don't worry about the firm.

If this money goes to Stuart,

McKenzie Brackman will be the executor

of $30 million trust. This place will see plenty.

But it's not going to Stuart.

She died intestate and it's going to the children!

She didn't die intestate!

The old will is revoked no matter what!

Mr. Braunstein is right! The will is binding!

You 're his partner, an extension of his crook hood!

I happen to be a judge, sir!

My honesty is a given!

I don't care if you're on the Supreme Court!

You're not stealing our 30 million!

Get out of my conference room.

I don't want the money.

Don't you dare walk away.

I'll walk out any place I want to walk.

- I'll see you all in court! - Don't you dare walk out!

I'll ram an injunction right through your kidneys!

- Oh really? - Yeah, really!

Come on. Come on. Get up.

Order! Order! Order! Order!

Order ! Order!

Hello, Charlie.

So? Vincent kept calling me last night.

What's the verdict?

I'm not gonna take this case.

I can't.

- Grace, damn it. Come on. Grace: Wait a minute.

I did some checking on this guy and he,

he's definitely not legitimate.

Don't do this to me, Grace.

Why do you think I brought you in as a partner?

As I recall, because among other things,

you thought I had integrity.

And no matter how charming this man is

I don't think this is the kind of case

that's in our best interest.

He can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees,

that's is definitely in our best interests.

- The man's a gangster! - You don't know that!

I won't do it!

Fine.

You call him and tell him.

I'm sure as hell, not gonna do it!

Fine.

You did absolutely the right thing.

You don't think I'm being naive?

I mean, if I'm gonna be in private practice,

I've to be ready to take cases I don't like.

This is not a case, Grace.

We're talking about a direction here.

If you become a mob lawyer then you're a mob lawyer.

Well, I'm seeing him tomorrow night

and I will tell him no.

And I suspect I will be without a job.

Hey, there are gonna be plenty other jobs.

You wanna come work for us?

As a full partner?

No way. You'll be under me.

Oh, it sounds even better.

- I got to get in there. - Go get him, counselor.

Woof?

See you later.

- Woof? - Woof.

What I'm saying is for an attorney at law

performance and appearance

are not mutually exclusive.

How's that?

Well, a lawyer has to be more than someone

who just interprets statutes.

You've gotta be able to cultivate clients,

impress at meetings, wine and dine colleagues.

When somebody comes into the office,

they want to see a consummate individual,

somebody who gives them a sense of confidence.

Michael: And Ms. Stetler didn't do this?

She's a very capable practitioner

and I don't mean to suggest otherwise.

But the reality is people look at her and say,

see, if she can't take care of herself,

how is she gonna take care of me?

They think her personal appearance is a reflection

of her professional competence.

Michael: Do you think that's a fair assumption?

It's totally unfound. It's totally unfound.

If I could dissolve that mindset with a wave of my hand

and keep her on, I'd do so. But I can't.

And if it's hurting the firm, I've got to deal with it .

Thank you, Mr. Langella .

Nothing further.

So, you fired her because people

couldn't accept a fat lawyer?

I'm the managing partner, counselor

I've got to be cognizant of public perception.

Right, so I guess, then that if

the public didn't want a black attorney

you would hire and fire on the basis of race, right ?

Wrong! I'd never endorse that kind of prejudice!

Oh, so do you endorse

the prejudice against fat people?

This is different.

Michael: Webster's dictionary defines

prejudice as a preconceived opinion

lacking a just foundation,

Now, isn't that exactly how you just described

the public's attitude toward the overweight?

- Yes, but in this case-- - So by firing her...

You in your own words,

endorse that bigotry, didn't you?

I never said I agreed with the prejudice, Mr. Kuzak,

but I've got a law firm to run and I've got

to recognize that it's out there.

Very good, Mr. Langella.

You recognized it, you acted upon it.

And by so doing you perpetuate it!

- Objection! - Gentlemen.

Don't blame me for public opinion!

I blame you more.

The public's opinion is based on ignorance. You know her.

You know she's a good attorney and yet

you fired her anyway, didn't you?

He's beating up the witness!

He deserves to get beat up!

Mueller: Mr. Kuzak!

Tell us, Mr. Langella

how firing my client failed to promote

that bigotry that you recognize?

Nothing further.

Lynn, I just don't think it's a great idea.

It's nothing against you, Michael, you've been fantastic.

I just thought if I represent myself

during the closing argument,

I have a better chance of convincing the jury

that I belong in a courtroom.

And I also thought what better way to convince myself.

But this whole trial is gonna turn on the summations.

You've never done this before and I hesitate--

And what better place for me to start?

I figure I would be great

or fall flat on my face,

either way I win.

File my appearance and notify the opposing counsel.

I'm an attorney

and I'm gonna represent myself.

Alright.

It's your trial.

Let's get started. Where is everyone?

Michael's in court and Victor's got a deposition.

- Where's Jonathan? - I don't know.

But I'm not waiting.

Stuart, regarding the disposition

of the Lundstrum estate,

a second meeting of the attorneys

has been scheduled for this afternoon.

Oh God. Not again.

Each lawyer will present a proposal and we'll review each--

What are you gonna do, Stuart ?

I don't know, Ann.

Jonathan's on TV again!

- What? - Oh, no!

No, no, Gina. I'm not kidding. That's the way they are.

It sounds as if they're incompetent.

Jonathan: No, not incompetent, just amusing.

We've got one partner, I won't mention names.

It's Brackman, who keeps having affairs.

He even slept with his female bailiff

when he was a small claims judge.

Oh God! Oh God!

Arnold Becker beds down with 90% of his clients.

- Son of--. Douglas: He's fired!

...sleeping with each other !

- Come on! - They are married.

- I heard it was shotgun. - That bastard!

Jonathan: The thing that really gets me

is that none of them, none of them,

can tell the difference between a live broadcast

and a videotaped gag.

Gotcha.

- What? - I know, I gotcha.

Arnie: I don't believe this.

I did get you, didn't I?

Thanks for the help, Roxie.

Go on Douglas.

Let's get started.

Lynn: If the defendant 's theory is true,

it doesn't matter what I say here.

Because you will have instantly concluded

the first moment that you saw me

that I was less equal

by mere virtue of my weight.

If you subscribe to that notion,

ladies and gentlemen,

you're wrong.

And if the whole world agrees with you, then damnit,

the whole world is wrong.

Because prejudice cannot be validated

by unanimous consent,

it can only be made more dangerous.

I do not accept the defendant's premise

that a person's physique

is a criteria for respect or friendship.

And I do not accept their assertion

that people regard physical appearance

as an indication of intellectual ability

and I most certainly do not accept their assumption

that this jury will forgive those that do.

The evidence before you is uncontroverted.

I am an able, competent attorney

who was fired from her job because of their belief

that the world hates fat people.

[clears throat]

That's discrimination.

And like it or not, you cannot possibly find for the defendant

unless you're prepared right now to condone it.

And even if you are,

don't think for one second

this bigotry has prevailed.

Because the next time I am confronted by this prejudice,

and there will be a next time.

I'll be back

and I'll come back again,

and again and again.

And sooner or later, I'll come across a jury

who will not tolerate this blindness .

I hope that time is now.

But if it's not,

the fight's not over, I promise.

This fat lady ain't singing yet.

Let 's take a minute to review the different proposals--

I don't need a minute, they all stink!

And this Reverend is a crooked as

He should be getting it all!

That was her testamentary intent!

Oh, no you don't.

I don 't give a damn what you think

her testamentary intent was.

- This will is not valid. - Don't start that again.

We drafted that document and I can categorically say.

You're a national chain of roadside sleaze pits!

What kind of a law firm has a jingle?

- Alright! Everybody be quiet. - And you, you are the reason.

I'd appreciate it, sir, if I might be allowed to speak.

Thank you.

First of all, you can file those proposals.

They're meaningless.

The will is valid, the money is rightfully mine

and here's what I'm gonna do with it.

The three lawyers present will each receive $8,000

for legal services rendered,

more than they deserve for their embarrassing conduct.

The children, Peter and Gail, will each receive $3million.

Totally unacceptable.

Extremely acceptable, Mr. Sylvia,

I'm gonna tell you why.

If you prove undue influence,

you not only negate her free intent to make a new will,

you eliminate her capacity to revoke the old one.

And since California courts low than testacy,

your clients get nothing and all

the money goes to Billy Bob.

Here, here!

As for the good reverend,

I'm giving three million dollars in his name

to the Cystic Fibrosis Association.

Is that it? And nothing to him?

Yeah, he get's the credit,

and if he's lucky, a building named after him.

That's not enough. I'll fight it.

No, you won't.

Because an examination of Mrs. Lundstrum's true intent

will reveal that her desire was not so much

to benefit the Reverend,

but rather the charitable endeavors

he boasted about on TV.

And since closer scrutiny of these endeavors

reveal enterprises that fail to meet

the IRS definition of charity,

we'll vitiate a big part of that will on grounds of fraud!

- That's baseless. - It's not baseless.

And since exposure that investigation might end up

with Billy Bob being interviewed on Nightline,

I suspect you'll be quiet.

Finally, Ms. Kelsey.

Of the remaining 21 million,

half goes to the Greater

Los Angeles Aid for the Homeless,

the other half to the California

Environmental Protection Foundation.

And while you may miss out

on being the great white administrator.

You can take some consolation in knowing that

worthy causes are being served.

One last thing,

if any of you do choose to litigate,

remember it all comes down to the issue of undue influence,

which means it's my word against yours .

And they're gonna believe me, I promise.

Because I'm the only one here not acting out of greed,

avarice or some sort of self-promotion.

I'm the one giving it all away,

and that makes me a thousand times more credible

than all of you stacked up on top of each other.

And finally, if any of you do challenge me on this,

all the money goes to the two charities.

The children, the Reverend, the lawyers get nothing .

Meeting's over.

[telephone ringing]

Markowitz?

Although I stand here in complete ignorance

as to what this world or life has in store for me.

I think, I can still safely predict

that no matter what I do or how long I live,

I will never be more proud of any single thing

than I am of my husband at this moment.

And I just want you to know that I admire you

more than I can ever express.

And I love you even more than that.

Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached it's verdict?

- Yes, Your Honor . Mueller: What say you?

We, the jury, find in favor of the plaintiff,

and order the defendant to pay damages

in the amount of $210,000.

You did it.

Oh, my God.

I don't believe it.

Thank you, Michael.

You look lovely.

Thank you. None for me.

Please.

To us.

There is no us, Mr. Vincent.

Charles told me you are little reluctant.

My mind is made up.

I've always found it best to postpone final judgment

until I have all the facts.

I have all the facts I need and--

I don't think you do.

For instance, I don't think you know

who paid for that fancy office you're sitting.

I don't think you know who owns the building, Ms. Van Owen,

or who owns the firm for to a lesser extent who owns you.

You may own the firm Mr. Vincent,

but I guarantee you, you don't own me.

You listen,

you're gonna go into court

and you're going to substitute in as counsel for Tommy

then you're gonna get a nice continuance,

a courtesy the judge will be only too happy

to extend to a popular ex-DA.

Then, if you want

I'll get someone else to substitute in for you.

Do you understand?

No.

I need time, Ms. Van Owen.

It's just come to my attention

that the state's key witness may suffer

serious decline in health in the next few weeks .

It sometimes happens to people who disappoint me.

My answer is not changing.

Some mistakes are very hard to live with, Ms. Van Owen.

I seriously suggest you rethink your position.

She's still drinking the champ...

[gunshot firing]

[screaming]

[instrumental music]

[theme music]