Original subtitles

[indistinct chatter]

- Good morning. - Good morning.

receptionist: It's important. Tell Mr. Brackman he's here.

Excuse me, sir, you need a clearance badge to enter.

- I'm a partner in this firm. - I'm sorry, sir.

- Take your hands off of me. - Now.

Nobody enters without clearance.

There are two of you. I got four.

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

Excuse me, Michael!

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

I have personal things in my office, Douglas--

Not any more, you don't! Everything's boxed.

Take them and get out.

Now you listen to me, you son of a bitch--

- No, you listen! Kuzak's guard: Alright.

You don't work here anymore.

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

when you're officially and finally voted out.

So pick up your things and take them down

to the parking garage, and I suggest you hurry

because there's a tow truck on it's way as we speak

to haul your illegally parked car out of the building.

W--what's going on here?

Michael and his friends were just leaving.

Say good bye.

Get the boxes.

I'll be back, Douglas.

[clattering]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Okay. Let's all settle in.

Never mind settling in, Douglas.

Things are very unsettled.

This whole business with the guards

is completely out of control.

As I've explained over and over again,

if Michael's intention is to steal files, then--

He's not trying to steal anything.

He's not sneaking in here at night,

he attempted lawfully

to enter these premises during business hours--

Sounds like you've been talking to him, Victor.

Sifuentes: I have been talking to him, Doug.

And I know for a fact that he only wants access

to his office honestly and openly.

Alright, look, we don't like having to hire guards.

Using security to stop partners from coming in is...

[sighs]

I'm ashamed.

But Michael is trying to get files

and clients phone numbers.

While I respect the fact that he's doing it openly

without sneaking in,

or without raiding our computers,

we still have to stop it!

Move along, Douglas.

In re C.J. Lamb.

She's in Palm Springs most of the week

giving a seminar to visiting East Block trial lawyers.

Mullaney: It's Zoey's thing really.

She got invited as a guest lecturer

and she roped in C.J. 'cause she didn't want to do it alone.

Six thousand dollars for lecturing a few Bulgarians

and Russians, this is not a bad deal.

Brackman: Moving on. People versus Morrison.

Trial starts today. I'm still tryin' to push the plea.

This is the Christian Science couple?

Yeah, I'm lookin' to cop down to child endangerment

but the D.A. wants manslaughter.

Why shouldn't he? It's murder.

Mullaney: Alright, Doug. - Now, let's not start--

They let their three-year old child die.

They didn't want him to die.

Kelsey: I agree with Douglas. Markowitz: It was their faith.

And they refused to send him to the hospital.

Do we always have to fight? For God's sakes.

Why can't we support one another on something?

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

What the hell is wrong with us?

Welcome, over the next few days,

we will be focusing on the adversarial system

of the American judicial process,

which you will find contrasts sharply

with that of your Eastern bloc countries.

After we go through some basic advocacy drilling

over the first two days, we will then

actually conduct a moot court mock trial,

where one of you will get to show off your skills

in a courtroom setting, isn't that exciting?

Okay, first, uh...

the opening argument.

Excuse me. Uh, just one second.

First, we have to warm up!

- What, what are you doing? - This is death, Zoey.

These people paid 7500 bucks for this.

They've got to have a little fun.

Good morning, Communists!

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

And the first thing we have to learn

about the American system, it's loud.

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

- It's a circus. - C.J.

Okay, now after three,

I want you all to say I object,

and be right out there with it.

- Okay. One, two, three! - C.J.

all: I object.

Are you lawyers or librarians?

My God, you object in an American courtroom,

you have to be heard.

Louder! Okay!

I object.

all: I object.

Bang your hand on the table, say it like you mean it!

- I object! all: I object!

C.J.: Again. all: I object!

Again and again, keep doing it!

all: I object! - I object!

C.J.: I object! all: I object! I object!

- Great! Fantastic. all: I object!

all: I object! I object! I object!

I gotta make one more stab before we go in there,

and I want you to listen good.

In 21 cases over the past ten years,

parents like yourselves have been charged

with manslaughter.

In all 21, they augured

that freedom of religion guarantees them

the right to refuse medical treatment

for their children, and in all 21, they lost.

You've gotta let me argue some kind of insanity.

We'll just say the church had you brainwashed--

But we, we are not going to attack the church.

Mr. Morrison, the jury

is gonna need somebody to blame here.

If it ain't the church,

it's gonna be you and your wife.

The choice we made for Kevin was ours.

No one forced us to do it.

If we argue that, you're gonna get convicted.

We're not going against our faith.

No.

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

Karen and I do agree.

Just give me one minute, please.

[indistinct chatter]

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

So I think maybe you should go for a separate trial.

At least let's get another lawyer in here--

I'm with my husband, Mr. Mullaney.

Karen, this is a murder trial.

I know that.

I also know there's no way

I'd survive any of this if...

not without Greg.

And I still can't believe this is happening to us.

Dr. Rissler: The child was brought into E.R.

about midnight.

At that time, his temperature was 104,

and his breathing was extremely weak.

Did you make a diagnosis?

He was suffering from acute bacterial meningitis.

The... membranes covering his spinal cord

and his brain were inflamed.

Gold: What did you do?

By that point, there was really nothing we could do.

We, uh...

injected him with massive doses of antibiotics,

we tried to stabilize his breathing but...

it was too late.

- He died. Dr. Rissler: He died.

Based on your examination, doctor,

how long had Kevin been ill?

At least three days. Maybe longer.

And had his parents sought medical attention

for their child earlier,

would it have made a difference?

Dr. Rissler: Absolutely.

Bacterial meningitis is curable.

In most cases, all you need is penicillin.

Is it possible that Mr. and Mrs. Morrison

didn't realize their child was sick?

No, that is not possible.

This child had a disastrous fever.

His sheets would have been soaked,

he also would have been vomiting terribly.

This kind of illness can cause massive pain.

He had to be suffering...

and they had to know it.

Thank you, doctor. Nothing further.

Doctor...

this massive pain, or sweating, or vomiting...

you didn't see it?

- No, but I can assure you-- - You can assure me?

Let's talk about assurances.

Is it your testimony

that penicillin and medical care

would have guaranteed recovery.

- We can never guarantee it-- Mullaney: Exactly.

Many children die from bacterial meningitis

despite proper medical treatment, isn't that right?

- It doesn't happen, certainly. - Certainly.

And, doctor...

do you believe that the mental state

of a patient can affect his recovery?

It can be a factor--

In fact, many doctors believe that the immune system

can be compromised by stress and depression

and fortified by hope and optimism.

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

But you do believe

that there is a body-mind connection

in healing, don't you?

As I said, it can be a factor, but--

Yes.

And doctor...

during the course of this emergency

and its aftermath, you had occasion

to meet with my clients.

- Didn't you? - Yes.

And did you find them to be anything

other than loving, devoted parents

who cared desperately for their little boy?

No, I did not.

Thanks, doctor. That's all I have.

[indistinct chatter]

Michael's fired his first two scuds, Leland.

- And they both hit. - What are you taking about?

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

and dissolved our attachment on his house,

$300,000 attachment.

How the hell could he do that?

By representing to the court

that the value of his legal services

tendered to Earl was 20,000 tops.

Then, he went to Brentwood Federal,

the bank that gave us the half million line of credit

because of the attachment, showed them the court papers,

told them who knows what about our solvency,

the bottom line is the bank recalled the loan.

We have to come up with 262,000 immediately.

That bastard!

He also withdrew 50,000 out of our cash reserve,

which practically empties it.

Now that is larceny.

He claims it's an advance

on the 150 we owe him in capital.

[sighs]

Excuse me. Do you have a minute?

- No. - It's important.

[sighs] Yeah, come on in.

These... are our respective resignations.

Michael Kuzak has opened up a law office,

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

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

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

until you can find replacements.

How can you do this?

Leland, Victor, Michael and I would be main partners

in a litigation specialty firm.

It would be white collar, RICO.

It's something we've always wanted.

It would be a, a challenge we want to accept.

Abby and I have been offered junior partnerships.

Like Victor said though, we will stay and work

as long as you want us.

Well, now, come on, can't we all just sit down

and discuss this?

You're all fired. Effective immediately.

Sifuentes: Come on now, Doug.

You, you need this place to operate and what we're--

Victor, it has to be the same for you

as for Michael.

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

It would ruin us.

Please collect your things and be gone

by the end of business tomorrow.

[instrumental music]

C.J.: Excellent. Very good, indeed.

Shake that pencil.

Tongue slightly out over the top lip.

This may feel silly,

but you really are doing something.

Now this tells the jury

that you're wheels are spinning,

you've thought of something important.

American trial law is 50 percent performance.

Never forget that!

Okay, when I say now,

the witness will have just said something

you believe to be a gross exaggeration.

- Now! all: [grunting]

Perfect, okay, I'm going to ask a witness

something about your client and she responds...

That man is a complete idiot!

all: Move to strike!

But the judge says overruled.

all: Mistrial!

But the judge, he is a horrible judge,

and he says no.

Mr. Rowalski, what do you do?

Please, Your Honor, prejudicial.

You're firing spit balls at a Tiger Tank.

You have to be more aggressive.

Show him, Mr. Chang.

Your Honor! Chambers now!

Now! Now! Now! Now! Now! Now!

Bastard! Impeachment!

[crowd applaud]

Excellent! Excellent!

I think we're way ahead of schedule.

Let's go to the pool.

Pool-time, everybody!

[crowd cheer and applaud]

Mr. Morrison, how long have you been a Christian Scientist?

All my life. I was raised that way.

And would you explain for the jury why it is

that people of your faith refuse medical treatment?

Well, basically, we believe that...

healing should be accomplished spiritually,

that the presence of God and the power of prayer

should break hold of the disease.

Well, that's fine, but why not take a little medicine

anyway just to be safe?

Because resorting to medical technology

is seen as a distrust of the faith.

Now, I want you to tell us what you did

after Kevin got sick.

Well, we of course prayed.

And when he seemed to get worse,

we called a practitioner.

What's a practitioner?

Somebody licensed by the church to treat others...

with spiritual healing.

Mullaney: And what did the practitioner do?

She, uh...

She assisted us with our prayers.

Over the next couple of days...

Kevin got worse.

We called the practitioner again

and she gave us the same advice.

Karen wanted to take him to the hospital,

but... I resisted her.

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

She couldn't bear it any longer.

Kevin was in so much pain.

Mullaney: Mr. Morrison, why did your son die?

Because we were weak.

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

Do you have any other kids?

No.

I have nothing further.

Two years ago, you were admitted

to Sinai Hospital with a broken thumb.

You were treated, your thumb was set in a cast,

and you left, is that right?

Uh, the church permits

receiving treatment for broken bones.

- Oh, is that a loophole? Mullaney: Objection.

Gold: You had a bone broken in your thumb

and you went running to the doctors.

Your son is sick

with a life-threatening meningitis, vomiting,

in pain, and you just let him lie there?

He had had fevers before,

and he had been healed by prayer, we thought--

How is your thumb, Mr. Morrison?

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

You run a small publishing company,

extremely well-read--

- Is there a question here? - Oh, yes, there is.

You had to know, you had to.

That medical treatment could have saved him.

And you did nothing.

If you had it to do all over again,

would you take your boy to the hospital?

- I don't know. Gold: My God.

You don't know?

I have nothing further.

[indistinct chatter]

♪ On leading questions, what you say? ♪

♪ Can't do direct, on cross okay. ♪

♪ Compound questions, ride your bike. ♪

♪ Object at once, then move to strike. ♪

♪ Witness says he heard him shout. ♪

♪ Hearsay, no, you take that out. ♪

♪ Judge says no, he will admit. ♪

♪ Kick the chair, look down and spit. ♪

Alright. Alright.

Oh, students, hold it.

These court officers obviously want to admit

these pina coladas into evidence.

What do we say?

[indistinct chatter]

Yes!

Grab yourself an exhibit!

[indistinct chatter]

Ms. Clemmons. Could I talk to you?

- Sure. - What the hell is going on?

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

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

Well, Tom, they've come a long way.

They're in California. They should have some fun.

These people are lawyers who have paid a lot of money

and traveled a great distance

to learn about American jurisprudence.

Now the other 260 students are doing that.

They're in marathon classes,

taking tests, getting lectures.

Yours are, are out here in the hotel pool

drinking pina coladas.

- We feel they are learning. - Well, you better hope so.

Tomorrow, you're gonna have to put one of them

in front of three California Supreme Court Justices

who plan on being tough.

- What? - The moot court.

Your section goes tomorrow.

I thought I would be playing the judge in the moot court.

I don't know where you got that.

We have three high court jurists here to do it.

It's a serious thing. Have you got your class ready?

Of course. They're ready.

Nobody will lose their jobs.

Payroll will not be interrupted,

business will continue in its normal course.

Management anticipated and prepared

for this contingency,

and the situation is well in control.

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

Yeah.

process has been ongoing for several weeks.

So, everybody relax.

This is not a big deal.

Douglas, uh, please.

Not a big deal at all.

[indistinct chatter]

I've setup a hearing in front of Judge Lobel...

tomorrow afternoon.

I want to get an injunction

to prevent them from working for any of our clients.

I also want a three-million dollar lawsuit filed,

breach of contract, fiduciary duty.

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

Who do you want handling the motion?

Outside counsel, I want the heaviest hitter we can get.

I want them pummeled.

I've headed up the Department of Oncology

for the last seven years

at the University Hospital, San Diego.

And, Dr. Lebb, do you employ

or consult with spiritual healers?

- No, I do not. - Why not?

Because I'm a doctor.

I believe in Western medicine.

Mullaney: Okay, have you ever had a patient

who benefited medically from prayer and prayer alone?

Yes, I have.

Could you tell us about him?

He was a 45-year-old man, heavy smoker,

diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer.

What was his prognosis?

Dr. Lebb: We gave him six months, maximum.

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

Three months later, he came in for an examination.

The cancer was completely gone. No evidence of it whatsoever.

Mullaney: How could this be?

I have absolutely no idea.

He said he had been treated by a spiritual healer,

that he had prayed a lot.

Mullaney: And this got rid of the cancer?

I'm as dumbfounded as you are, Counsel.

I did some research after this

and I found thousands of documented cases

where diseases, some of them fatal,

had been cured by prayer.

As a scientist, I wanted to dismiss it.

But we cannot.

So, as a physician and an oncologist,

it is your professional opinion

that spiritual healing can be successful.

It's not just my opinion,

it's the majority opinion in world societies.

And more and more Western doctors

are now recognizing that you cannot separate

the state of the body

from the condition of the spirit.

- You simply cannot. - Thank you, doctor.

Nothing further.

Doctor, if you were confronted with a patient with cancer

that was operable,

would you ever send them to a spiritual healer

in lieu of surgery?

No.

How about as an alternative to chemotherapy or radiation?

No.

And given the symptoms that Kevin Morrison

was experiencing due to his meningitis,

do you find it acceptable for his parents

not to have sought medical attention?

I asked you a question, doctor.

Do you find their refusal

to seek medical attention acceptable?

No, I do not.

Gold: Thank you, doctor.

- I have nothing further. - Mr. Mullaney.

The defense rests, Your Honor.

Judge Swanson: Mr. Gold. - Your Honor.

I exercise my right to recall Mrs. Karen Morrison.

Judge Swanson: 10 o'clock tomorrow, we are adjourned.

[indistinct chatter]

[telephone ringing]

Why didn't you tell me?

How could we?

We couldn't. You're a partner.

You have the fiduciary responsibility.

You know the spiel, Ann.

You, um...

You guys didn't want Stuart and me

to come with you, huh?

It's strictly a litigation firm.

We wanted you, but we didn't think

you'd come without Stuart,

plus there really isn't enough cash flow

for a lot of partners.

Uh-huh.

I'm so sorry, Ann.

I feel so... betrayed.

I know.

I know.

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

with Michael and Victor?

[sighs] You're involved with one,

you used to be involved with the other.

[chuckles]

Well, the, the truth is...

I'm only going to be there until the baby is born.

I mean, they just need my name for marquee value,

just while they set up.

Ex-judge, ex-D.A.,

and I'll get ownership interest for life,

for just six months work.

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

Basically.

I want to take at least a year...

maybe two.

And this deal allows me to do that.

You could have cut a deal here.

Ann...

there's going to be a war here,

and Victor... will be one of the enemies.

I sleep with him.

I'm going to have his baby.

[sighs] We could even get married.

How could I possibly work here...

with all of you going against him?

I've really... loved working with you.

[instrumental music]

Me too.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

C.J., wake up.

[snoring]

- C.J., C.J., wake up. - Hmm?

We have overslept, it is 9 o'clock.

- We are in trouble. - Why?

Because we had an 8 o'clock class set up,

we're an hour late, we have moot court

at 1 o'clock and our class knows nothing

except how to get jailed for contempt.

C.J.: Calm down, Zoey. - I can't calm down.

And what have you done to these... men?

Nothing, that's Joel and Roen, two of our students.

- The Bulgarian brothers? - Yeah.

Joel left his key in his room, Roen lost his,

and there was nobody at the desk

when we got back from the club.

- Which was when? - 5:00 a.m.

[Zoey gasps] So trust me, Zoey, nobody showed up at 8 o'clock.

Great, we have a moot court in front of

three California Supreme Court Justices

and you keep the class out dancing till dawn!

They said it was hammer time, what could I do?

Who are we gonna put up there?

Who the hell knows enough to bluff it

in front of three Supreme Court judges?

Me, that's who.

- What? - Mm-hmm.

They don't know me, including that Wadkins,

so I'll put on a suit and my best Polish accent.

I'll be brilliant and you'll get the prize

for best teacher.

- Do you have any o.j.? - We cannot do this.

This is fraud, this is wrong. It's a lie!

We have no choice.

Not only do our students not know anything,

they're also completely hungover.

And that one looks dead!

[snoring]

I am never taking you on another trip.

Never!

[sighs]

We've got to move, Douglas.

Tommy just called from court.

He found out from the clerk's office

that Michael Kuzak is bringing an ex parte motion

to dissolve this firm.

- What? - 11 o'clock, division three.

He must have found out about our motion

this afternoon and he decided to hit first.

Yeah, notify all the partners.

I want everybody in my office, now.

Oh, Arnie's got his therapy session--

Get him the hell out of therapy!

We've got to block that motion.

[telephone ringing]

[indistinct chatter]

Gold: I'll try to keep this very brief, ma'am.

I know this whole ordeal is... difficult.

Why did you take your three-year-old son

to the emergency room that night?

Because he was dying.

Gold: But if you truly believed he could be healed spiritually,

why did you take him to a hospital?

Because...

Because the prayers weren't working.

He wasn't getting better.

No, he wasn't.

In fact, you didn't think the prayers were working

two days before that, isn't that right?

Didn't you have a yelling argument

with the Christian Science practitioner

in which you screamed at her, "This isn't working."

Gold: Didn't you? - Yes.

And you told her, "This child needs to be hospitalized."

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

But you didn't have faith.

And you just sat by as he got worse.

His temperature climbed to 104, you did nothing.

As he got closer to death,

you did nothing to save your own son!

Do you believe you did the right thing?

[sobbing]

I have nothing further.

[crying]

Ms. Lambroski, you are the class representative of...

Section 14, Ms. Clemmons' class.

How would you define hearsay?

Out of court statement offered

to prove the truth of the matter stated.

Any exception to the rule?

Confessions, admissions, former testimony, judgement--

Former testimony? Uh, always admissible.

The declarant must be available.

The party being offered against

must have had opportunity to cross examine.

Alright, Ms. Lambroski. You may sit down.

I would like to speak to Mr. Lee Chang.

Objection! Uh...

Uh, Ms. Lambroski was the designated representative.

Yes, and she's very clearly in command

of the rules of evidence, so I'd like to give

another student a chance.

- I wasn't told this. - Ms. Clemmons!

We want to give somebody else a try.

Step up, Mr. Chang.

[indistinct chatter]

God help me.

Now, how would you go about crossing, say,

uh, an expert pathologist

who has testified against you in a Med malpractice?

Foundation first, attack his skill.

- Please, no. - Trip him up.

Move in for kill.

Confront him with my own reports.

Move to strike his cheap retorts.

Alright!

Uh, Your Honors, t-- t-- these...

These were teaching techniques used to expedite--

Is that right?

Maybe we should go back to me.

- Sit down. - Sitting down, here I go.

Mr. Chang, explain exactly what you've learned

from these cute, little limericks.

No rhymes, just tell us!

Uh, basically, Your Honor,

approach witness on foundation first,

impeach his expertise.

Then I show him my reports

to establish and give evidence

to the jury of existence of contradictory opinion.

Finally, I try to establish his bias or predisposition

to undermine his credibility with the jury.

And if none of this succeeds in discrediting the witness?

I have a nice rap number.

A rap number?

Your Honor, under the agreement,

if any partner leaves the firm, is deemed to be dissolved.

Here we have two partners who have left--

Why are you here ex parte, Counsel?

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

I had no guarantee that they wouldn't liquidate

their assets, your Honor, in which case I--

Your Honor, Jack Sollers

appearing for McKenzie Brackman,

opposing Mr. Kuzak's motion.

Let me go on record first by stating our position

that Mr. Kuzak has breached

his fiduciary obligations owed to this firm--

- They fired me! - Suspended, not fired.

Second, his suggestion that this firm has intent

to liquidate is a lie for which he should be sanctioned.

I'm not saying they would willingly liquidate.

- I'm saying they will-- - The doors will stay open.

This firm is viable and can easily withstand

this man's backstabbing gutless sabotage.

- Counsel! - I object to that!

Your Honor, he's seeking a dissolution

only because that would enable him

to solicit McKenzie Brackman clients.

Kuzak: The litigation department is practically wiped out.

Ann Kelsey's a litigator. Tommy Mullaney's a litigator.

Stuart Markowitz has litigation experience,

as does C.J. Lamb.

And then, of course, there's me.

Judge Watson: You? - Yes, Your Honor.

As of this morning, I have signed on

with McKenzie Brackman for a two-month period

during which time I will perform the duties

as head of litigation, and assure

that clients' needs are met,

and I'm much better than this guy, Your Honor--

- Alright. Kuzak: Objection.

With all due respect to this man's arrogance, I would like--

This isn't about my arrogance, Kuzak, it's about your deceit.

Your criminal attempts to undermine-

Alright, both of you, both of you, be quiet.

Mr. Kuzak, I want your stated reasons

why you think this firm should go into receivership.

Because I don't trust them, an independent receiver--

Oh, listen to you, the model of trust.

Judge Watson: Both of you, be quiet!

10 o'clock tomorrow, we'll conduct

an evidentiary hearing.

Mr. Kuzak, you can take the stand

and give your reasons.

Mr. Sollers, you can cross examine.

Oh, boy.

Judge Watson: See you all tomorrow.

Hi, Grace. Good to see you. You look great.

[sighs] I don't feel great.

This is not the way I want to do this.

We told you, Micheal, we didn't want

to do anything that betrays Leland.

I told you this was going to be a war

and you were gonna have to let me fight it.

Yeah, but Mike, this business about dissolving

the firm, you didn't say anything about--

I didn't know they were gonna slap an injunction on us.

Look, I know you guys don't wanna be heavies,

I appreciate that, but somebody's got to be,

or we're gonna get pasted here.

So just let it be me.

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

Well, not yet, the doctor's testimony

went a long way for us. Don't forget that.

How could you admit those things?

How could you... renounce the Church like that?

I didn't renounce the Church.

I just said I had doubts, that's all.

Doubts are enough, Karen, you should know that by now.

- My doubts, is that it, Greg? - I didn't say that.

My lack of trust

is what killed Kevin, distrust and fe--

Mr. Morrison: I didn't say that!

- But you think it! - Karen, you don't know what I--

I can't do this anymore, Greg!

[gasps] I can't, I can't go on hating myself,

being blamed by you! I can't!

I don't blame you, Karen!

I blame myself!

When you grabbed him and...

took him to the hospital, I...

I was relieved, I was...

I was glad.

[crying]

Why didn't we take him to a doctor?

Please, honey.

He would be alive.

[Karen gasps] Why didn't we take him to a doctor?

More and more...

doctors admit every day,

the connection between the spirit

and the body, it's something.

Now the Christian Scientists have believed this for years.

This isn't a whacko voodoo religion,

ladies and gentlemen.

We're talking about a church

that is established in 37 countries.

With almost 2000 functioning congregations

in this nation alone,

the Christian Science religion is very real,

and it is very much on trial here today.

Now the prosecution wants you to convict,

'cause he says this religion is unreasonable.

Oh, boy.

Does anybody here know of a religion

that's reasonable?

I mean, the whole thing about faith.

It starts up where reason leaves off.

Now when little Kevin got sick,

they did not sit by and do nothing.

They simply refused Western medicine

and resorted to their own form of healing...

prayer.

They called the practitioner to their house,

they were active, they were reactive.

They wanted this little boy to live,

and every one of us knows that.

It didn't work.

They lost their child.

It's a tragedy, of course.

But they are not criminals, ladies and gentlemen.

You know that.

[indistinct chatter]

The only question...

you have to ask yourselves.

Was it reasonable for them to do what they did?

To exalt their own religious beliefs

at the expense of an innocent child.

Both these defendants are college-educated people.

They know full well...

had they taken Kevin to the hospital

when he first got sick, he'd be alive!

By her own testimony,

Karen Morrison says she had doubts

that prayer would work.

She even argued those doubts and she still,

she still didn't take her child for treatment...

until it was too late.

How can she stand here and say

that her religious beliefs are reasonable,

when deep down...

she didn't entertain those beliefs at all.

A little boy...

got sick with a very curable disease.

It progressed to be life-threatening,

and they let him die.

How can anyone, human or divine,

ever... forgive that?

Management is no longer capable

of operating the firm's affairs.

A receiver must be appointed to protect its assets.

Ms. Van Owen and I have over $200,000

of capital in the firm.

Naturally we want to see that capital preserved.

And, and why is this firm in so much danger?

Well first off, the cash crisis.

The bank has just called in its line of credit.

Also there are several major clients

such as Rikki Davis, Jefferson Properties,

and Miles and Associates

who are refusing to pay their bill.

And there are other clients, such as Dallas Smith,

Fred Stanfield, and Donald Marcotte

who are all threatening to leave.

What else, Mr. Kuzak?

The litigation department has been decimated

and 70 percent of the current caseload

is in that department.

Well, they still have seven lawyers left.

This law firm is in total chaos, Your Honor.

The Senior Partner is handing over his authority

to the managing partner while claiming

to still be in charge.

Then you have C.J. Lamb, an associate

who is getting 40 percent of her business.

Now that's like having a one-person firm

functioning within the firm.

Have you ever heard of anything like this?

They claim that deal is beneficial to the firm.

It's like putting band-aids on bullet wounds.

Then the head divorce lawyer

has just had a psychiatric breakdown.

- He's undergoing therapy. - Son of a bitch.

Kuzak: There are security guards running

all over the building, the place is a mess!

Your Honor, the court has got to appoint

an independent receiver to take control here.

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

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

Isn't it true, Mr. Kuzak, that the reason

Brentwood Federal called in its loan is because

you went to this bank and told them they better do that?

I had certain concerns about the firm's solvency.

I was very candid with the bank.

You went before a court, you got a real estate attachment

dissolved, which attachment was critical

to the McKenzie Brackman line of credit,

then you went to the bank.

- Isn't that right, Mr. Kuzak? - Right.

You also represented in a court of law

that a bill for legal work performed by you

for one Earl Williams

should be reduced from 400,000 to twenty.

I did the work. I determine its value.

Sollers: It was a major murder trial.

You exhausted every appeal all the way

to the California Supreme Court for twenty thousand?

What were you charging? A nickel an hour?

It was my case. I was the billing attorney.

You lied about the value of your work

in order to make McKenzie Brackman

lose its line of credit.

- Objection! Judge Watson: Overruled.

And now these clients

who are supposedly refusing to pay,

have you talked to any of these clients, Mr. Kuzak?

I didn't solicit them. They called me.

I'll bet.

You'd never try anything underhanded

would you, Mr. Kuzak?

Sifuentes: Objection! - Sustained.

Your Honor, this man has already been suspended

by the State Bar once.

Objection!

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

He's totally devoid of any ethical responsibility.

Judge Watson: Mr. Sollers! Sifuentes: Objection!

Withdrawn.

Can you identify this for me, Mr. Kuzak?

- It's a piece of stationery. - Mm-hmm.

Reading "Kuzak, Van Owen, and Sifuentes.

A partnership at law".

Grace Van Owen and Victor Sifuentes

left McKenzie Brackman Tuesday

and here you are with new stationery

for another firm already.

How can you not be guilty of tampering?

Sifuentes: Move to strike! - You better watch it, Jack.

Careful, Mike, I'm facing you.

Let me put my back to you.

Here, go on, get me now!

Judge Watson: Mr. Sollers, that's enough!

Your Honor, I'm only just beginning.

I said I've heard enough!

I want a list of both sides' prospective candidates

for receivers if I decide to go that route.

I'll make my decision by 2 o'clock.

Until then, take it outside.

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, God!

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

Yeah. Alright, love.

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

Bye.

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

- Oh, God. - Mm-hmm.

Well, well, well.

Ms. Lambroski now speaks with a British accent.

Je parle aussi francais, petite peste.

I know who you are, Ms. Lamb.

I saw the hotel register and I did some checking.

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

- I'm very pleased. - I beg your pardon.

Your 30 students, every one of 'em,

have already re-enrolled for next year's workshop.

You've got to be kidding!

No! You hit on something.

Rambo litigators, poolside classes,

we can sell it as kind of a vacation package.

But, uh... we need you.

We would be paid more money, of course.

It's negotiable.

Yes, well, before we'd even consider it,

I think we need a little R & R. [chuckles]

So, the sun is out, drinks are in hand,

but you're still sitting there making shadows.

Enjoy your day, and let me know.

And you said you'd never take me on another trip! Ha!

Considering all the evidence plus a little information

from independent fact-finding,

I find that most of the chaos at this firm...

was in fact created by Michael Kuzak.

Going to the bank, going to court,

willfully misrepresenting

the value of your legal services,

tampering with lawyers.

I know now why you win most of your trials.

As for life on the home-front,

the musical chair stuff with the Senior Partnership,

the loss of all your litigators,

those private profit-sharing deals,

it is a mess!

I don't know whether the place should be put

into receivership.

The only way I can know is to appoint

a temporary receiver for ten days

and let him make the determination.

I've gone over the two lists of independent lawyers

and businessmen submitted by you both

as prospective receivers.

But I'll tell you.

I've decided to go with my own man.

Now this person, unfortunately, has a past relationship

with your firm.

He is, however, in possession...

of the best business sense that I have ever encountered,

and I don't think his past association

will pose any insurmountable conflicts.

Bring him in, please.

Now you're going to give him an office,

and you're going to give him access

to every letter, every file, every bill,

every computer disc in your firm.

I present to you your new leader,

Mr. David Meyer.

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

It's very wise. I trust him.

For the next ten days, this man will run

McKenzie Brackman, Chaney, Kuzak and Becker.

That's all.

We're adjourned.

People, people, people.

[paper rustling]

Madam Foreperson, has the jury reached a verdict?

- We have. - What say you?

In the matter of the people versus Gregory Morrison

on the charge of involuntary manslaughter,

we find the defendant not guilty.

In the matter of the people versus Karen Morrison

on the charge of involuntary manslaughter,

we find the defendant guilty.

Oh, my God.

Your Honor, move to poll the jury

on Karen Morrison's verdict.

Members of the jury, when the clerk calls your name,

please state your own finding.

Adelstein.

Guilty.

Cameron.

- Guilty. clerk: Feldman.

Feldman: Guilty.

clerk: Massey. Massey: Guilty.

clerk: Miller. Miller: Guilty.

clerk: Plenn. Plenn: Guilty.

clerk: Norvet.

[theme music]