Previously on "L.A. Law"...
You listen to me, you son of a bitch
-
-
No, you listen.
You don't work here anymore.
You're not allowed on these premises until April th
when you're officially and finally voted out.
We don't like having to hire guards,
using security to stop partners from coming in as...
I'm ashamed.
But Michael is trying to get files and client phone numbers.
These are our respective resignations.
Michael Kuzak has opened up a law office.
And the four of us have decided to go with him.
Breach of contract, fiduciary duty.
Let's shut them down before they even get started.
Who do you want handling the motion?
Outside counsel, I want the heaviest hitter we can get.
Can you identify this for me, Mr. Kuzak?
It's a piece of stationary.
Mh
-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 stationary for another firm already?
How can you not be guilty of tampering?
I've gone over the two lists of independent lawyers
and businessmen submitted by you both
as prospective receivers,
but I tell you, 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 days and let him make the determination.
I've decided to go with my own man.
I present to you your new leader, Mr. David Meyer.
I don't think this is wise, Your Honor.
It's very wise.
People, people, people.
Let me first go through some things
that I'm going to need for people to jump on.
Stuart, I need inventories of all properties
that the firm has an interest in.
You got it.
Leland, a list of all originating attorneys.
Anne, a breakdown of debts and accounts receivable.
As of now, expense accounts and credit cards
in the firm name are hereby revoked.
Is that really necessary, Dave?
Anne, I wouldn't put you through this
if I didn't feel it was.
People, I want to tell you who I am.
We know who you are, Dave.
No, no, Arnie, I don't think you do.
I stand before you today
as an innovator and as a motivator.
I'm going to convince each and every one of you
that by managing your time and assets according
to sound scientific principles,
you'll come through this well on your way
to a more prosperous and fulfilling lifestyle
than you every thought possible.
I'm going to make my presence felt around here my friends.
If I can get a dispirited and disorganized sales force
at a bankrupt pharmaceutical house to market
time released mocha mint laxative tablets
to the tune of million dollars a year,
then I can help you people to get this law firm
back on track.
Okay, staff meeting up next, busy day.
Cases to thank you, fees to collect.
Let's roll, and hey, hey, hey
let's be careful out there.
♪♪
♪♪
All right, let's get going.
Where's Anne?
Matthew's got a doctor's appointment,
she'll be in in a little while.
First up, Convers vs. Ladybright cosmetics.
I am not a litigator, I don't want this case.
Everybody's in trial except you and Leland.
You've already prepped the case.
tr*nsv*stite law is not my niche.
She's not a tr*nsv*stite, she's a transsexual.
Whatever. First he's a guy, now he's a girl.
He or she or it deserved to get fired.
Well, you can't back out now, so do the best you can.
[sighs]
Webster vs. the University of California Central.
Yeah, that was Jonathan's. I've taken it over.
It starts today.
-That's the steroid case?
-Yes.
I would just as soon go for the continuance.
No, no, no, no, we can't be going for continuances.
We cannot postpone our trials.
Kuzak will use that to show we can't function.
We can't go into court unprepared, Jack.
It isn't fair to the client.
Well, Jonathan is helping me out on the side.
-I can do this.
-You have to.
All our trials have to go as scheduled.
If we wobble, if Dave Meyer even senses that we're wobbling,
it means trouble.
I can't take this man invading our lives like this, I can't.
Oh, nobody like being at the mercy of that... individual.
But that's what we're faced with.
And since the fate of our firm lies in his hands,
I suggest the we all do everything to accommodate him.
We have a conference set for tomorrow
with all of the partners including Michael and Grace.
Maybe we can make this go away.
Good, because Dave Meyer goes back into court on Thursday.
If he recommends permanent receivership,
this firm is just about dead.
We have to talk.
About what?
The way you're dressed.
I strongly suggest you don't show up
in court like this again.
Excuse me?
Your neckline's too low, your hemline's too high.
We don't want the jury to think of you as flamboyant.
I don't think I look flamboyant.
[sighs]
It could cause the jury to make prejudgments.
Look, I'm your lawyer, you have to trust my strategy.
Tomorrow, more conservative, okay?
Okay.
Good. Now let's get in there.
Uh... allow me.
And how long had you been modeling, Miss Convers?
About two years before I made
the exclusive deal with Ladybright.
I was with them a little more than a year when they fired me.
Did they say why they fired you?
They discovered that I wasn't born female.
They said that since I wasn't a "real" woman,
I couldn't sell products that were intended for women.
And you disagree.
I'm a woman.
I mean, I may not have two x chromosomes,
but I was feminine enough for Ladybright cosmetics for over a year.
And if they hadn't found out about my surgery,
I still would be feminine enough for them.
And ma'am, under your exclusive contract
with the defendant,
how much were you to be paid?
$, a year.
And how much do you earn now after the discharge?
I'll be lucky to make $, this year.
Thank you, Miss Convers. I have nothing further.
Miss Convers, do you think if Ladybright cosmetics
had known of your sex change,
they would have hired you to represent their products?
I honestly don't know.
Have any other companies, knowing your past,
signed you to modeling contracts?
-That doesn't mean
-
-
-A simple yes or no, ma'am.
No.
You have no ovaries, no uterus,
no fallopian tubes, do you?
No.
And if you were to stop taking your estrogen,
what would happen?
Um... my...
my breasts would shrink.
Your body would in fact go back to the male proportions
before you began taking hormones.
Is this necessary?
This witness claims to be a woman, Your Honor.
Without drug therapy, she's not.
Move on, counsel.
Prior to your secret becoming public,
did you tell your friends who'd met you as a woman
that you used to be a man?
It really wasn't any of their business.
Were you afraid
they might be repulsed just a little?
No.
It would not have made a difference to my real friends.
But you chose not to tell them anyway.
I have nothing else.
What concern is it of yours
whether or not we plan to have another baby?
Simply this: I need to know
what kind of income you'll be generating.
I.E. is there a maternity leave anywhere in your near future?
You can assume that won't be the case, David.
And would this be by choice or due to fertility problems
-
-
-Now we're getting
-
-
-David, this isn't
-
-
I know this is private stuff.
The whole realm of marriage, family and sexual dysfunction
is one that we would prefer to keep to ourselves.
Then why don't we?
Well, because last time,
you ran up $ in medical bills
for the treatment of Stuart's low sperm count,
which the firm's health insurance carrier covered.
Now, I need to know if this could happen again
-
-
It's not going to happen again, okay, Dave?
Excellent. Great. This is great.
You know, I've had a few problems in the bedroom myself.
When Roxanne and I were together,
I was plagued by premature... shall we say fruition?
My work suffered, my marriage suffered.
I finally solved the problem
by mentally editing my direct mail sales copy
during intercourse.
You know...
the three of us ought to get together for dinner sometime.
[chuckles]
That'd be great.
I don't mind saying that at this moment...
I feel very close to both of you.
Your brother was at university of California Central on
a football scholarship, right, Kenny?
Yes.
He was doing well?
Very well.
I mean, it's not like his grades were great,
but he was passing.
He was starting linebacker for two years.
The pro scouts were high on him and things were great.
And then in his junior year he started changing.
How was he changing?
He just wasn't him.
He had these mood swings
and sometimes he'd throw these fits.
Was your brother a moody person by nature?
No, no, not at all.
It was the dr*gs that made him go crazy.
By dr*gs, you mean steroids?
Yeah, he was taking them to get stronger.
To become a better football player.
And you knew about it.
I kept trying to convince him to stop.
He was afraid he wouldn't be able to keep up
with the other players.
That he'd never make All
-American.
He said all the guys were taking them.
But at some point, Kenny,
your brother Calvin did stop, isn't that right?
Yeah.
When my father found out.
He found the pills and yelled at him real good.
Calvin swore he'd quit.
And he did.
A week later I found him.
And where did you find him, sir?
In the garage.
He'd, uh...
He took a...
a shotgun and, uh...
Put it in his mouth.
How old was your brother when he took his own life?
He was years old.
Now, Kenny I want you to tell the court
why it is your family blames the university
and the football program for Calvin's su1c1de.
Because they surrounded him with the steroids
that made him suicidal.
I mean, they know what's going on.
They know that these dr*gs are being passed back and forth
in the weight room and you think
they'd do something about it? You know what they do?
They reward them with scholarships, game balls.
Stars on their helmets.
See, all they care about is winning.
Thank you. Nothing further.
Do you have any knowledge the coach John Lungren
or any university official
knew your brother was taking steroids?
I played college football,
everybody knows what's happening.
I'll ask again:
do you have any specific knowledge
that anybody at the university knew about the dr*gs?
Can I prove it?
-No.
-Thank you.
And you're not suggesting that any university official
was actually dispensing these dr*gs, are you?
Look, they don't have to do the dispensing.
-The upperclassmen will take
-
-
-Thank you.
Now, your brother took these dr*gs of his own free will.
You have no knowledge that any university official
either participated or even knew about his steroid use.
And yet you hold them responsible.
-Oh, yeah, they're responsible.
-Move to strike.
You told my father you'd look out after him, Coach.
-Mr. Webster...
-Now look what happened.
He's dead! My kid brother is dead.
Now you look at me and you tell me that you
don't feel responsible.
Mr. Ingalls, how did your company learn
of Susan Convers' sex change?
When we switched insurance carriers, they required
a medical exam of all employees.
After discovering that she was a biological male,
they adjusted the premium.
You didn't fire her just because you had
to pay a higher premium.
No. No.
Femininity is vital to the success
of our advertising campaign.
Pivotal, and Miss Convers could no longer
project that image.
And what's so terrible about a transsexual
selling cosmetics to women?
Basically, we sell sex.
And sex appeal.
It's a very competitive market.
We could not risk associating
our products with gay subculture.
Objection. Miss Convers is not h*m*,
she's a transsexual.
But the lay public doesn't make that distinction.
Advertising is supposed to make the customer
identify with the people in the ad.
I like Susan. We all liked her very much.
But the truth is the average woman is not going to identify
with what she perceives as a man in drag.
I'm sorry.
Thank you, Mr. Ingalls. Nothing else.
The only reason it got out that my client
used to be a man is because you fired her for it.
She knew we'd never have hired her
if we'd known the truth.
Ever used models who have had nose jobs,
breast augmentation?
Liposuction?
I'm sure that we have.
And are they required to state up front
that they used to be big
-nosed,
flat
-chested and fat?
This isn't alterations.
He cut off parts and manufactured others.
This is not our image.
Did Miss Convers ever project an image
other than that of a feminine, attractive woman?
No.
But when the people discovered the reality
-
-
Reality? You airbrush photographs
to remove wrinkles and blemishes.
Models inject collagen into their lips
to make them fuller and more sensual.
-Is that reality?
-You don't understand.
I understand this:
your company was totally satisfied
with the performance of my client, so much so,
you had her scheduled to be one of three
Ladybright cover girls,
then you fired her because you found out
she used to be a different sex.
You didn't wait to see if it became public.
You didn't respect her privacy
-
-
Your Honor.
You just moved swiftly and fired her.
Isn't that the reality here, Mr. Ingalls?
Yes.
Thank you. I have nothing further.
All right, sir, you can step down now.
Benny.
Go and shred this stuff for me, will ya?
Hang on a second, I'm afraid I'm going
to have to be the judge of what gets shredded.
They're just notes from old depositions, Dave.
Nevertheless, I still have to go over them.
What are you doing with my mail?
I have to go through it, Arnie.
Like hell you do.
The receiver is required to review and/or examine
all incoming and outgoing correspondence.
Count , Paragraph , Line .
Put it back, Dave.
-Arnie...
-Put it back.
You know, for a smart lawyer,
you're having a lot of trouble grasping
a very simple point of law.
Drop my mail or I'll break your fingers.
I'm going to do my job here.
If it means having you held in contempt,
make no mistake,
I'm going to do my job.
Dr. Lattimer, why were you called in
to observe the autopsy on Calvin Webster?
Because of my expertise with steroids,
they wanted me to participate.
And what did you find?
The g*nsh*t wound, of course.
But there was a lot of other damage that had nothing to do with that.
There were blood
-filled cysts forming in his liver.
His testicles were atrophied.
There was severe acne on his back.
These symptoms suggest what, doctor?
Long term abuse of anabolic steroids.
And could you tell the court, sir,
what exactly are anabolic steroids?
Very powerful dr*gs, usually testosterone
or a synthetic equivalent
which increase protein synthesis in the body.
Athletes basically take them to build muscles
and increase strength.
Okay. Can they cause the kind of behavioral changes
that Kenny Webster saw in his brother?
Yes.
Steroids can induce 'roid rages,
which are violent, sometimes with psychotic symptoms.
In extreme cases, users have beaten people to death,
crashed cars into walls.
Some have committed su1c1de.
But Calvin Webster took his life
after he stopped with the steroids.
That's totally consistent.
Abrupt withdrawal from steroids can cause severe,
even suicidal depression.
Do you think this is what happened to Calvin?
Yes.
Given the fact that he had no history whatsoever
of psychiatric or emotional problems.
Given the physical condition of his body,
it would be my medical opinion,
steroid use drove him to put that g*n in his mouth.
Thank you, doctor. Nothing further.
Dr. Lattimer, to your knowledge,
have any large scale clinical studies been done
on anabolic steroids?
-No.
-Your evidence is anecdotal.
It's based on case studies, not controlled experiments.
Yes, but there are an overwhelming
-
-
And you never conducted a psychiatric examination
of Calvin Webster's mental state, did you?
No.
-But his patterns of behav
-
-
-Thank you.
And you yourself have no evidence whatsoever
that any university official endorsed
or encouraged steroid use, do you?
No. I do not.
Thank you, sir. I have nothing further.
Yeah.
In your opinion, sir,
would you consider it likely
that Coach John Lungren knew this boy was using steroids?
It would have been impossible for him not to know.
And why is that?
This young man's muscle growth over an
-month period
was grossly exaggerated.
He put on pounds of muscle, for God's sake.
That can only happen with dr*gs.
He also had the acne all over his back.
That's a clear tell
-tale sign of steroid abuse.
Thank you, doctor.
You have proof that Coach Lungren
knew of this steroid use?
I can't prove it, but I'd stake
-
-
Thank you, that's all.
Obviously, the fact that even a temporary
receiver was appointed means that there's at least
a thr*at of dissolution here.
And since that's in none of your best interests,
we have come up with a proposal that we think
you can live with.
Oh, I can't wait.
I so loved your last proposal.
Here's a list of clients, all Victors, mine, and Grace's
whom we would be seeking to take with us.
We'll call off the warfare immediately
if you will agree to refer the top to us.
The remaining we will neither solicit, nor accept.
This will give us a chance to establish our new firm,
while not crippling you with a mass exodus.
Top generate about % of the business
of this whole list combined, Michael.
It translates to four clients per person.
-That's hardly r*pe.
-Spoken like a true r*pist.
That's out of line.
These clients would come with us, anyway.
Untrue. Once Grace's clients learn
that she has no real intention of practicing,
and that she's just there to lend her name
until her baby is born
-
-
-I told you that in confidence.
-You're having a baby?
Excuse me, I told you that as one friend to another.
Are you the father?
Grace, we're not going to use that against you.
-ARNOLD: The hell we won't.
-No, it's Victor.
-Victor Sifuentes?
-Shut up, Jack.
All of these clients are ours, anyways.
We brought them here.
ARNOLD: Hey, how about when I walked with my clients?
She and Victor are having a baby?
They jumped all over me.
Could we just keep this on the offer, please?
The offer is rejected.
-You haven't even considered it.
-Just like that?
Why should we? It stinks.
Hey, we're being real mature here, guys.
You try to put us into receivership
-
-
Walking out is not necessary, but you had to have power.
[overlapping dialogue]
And Mr. Rhodes, how long were you personally involved
with Susan Convers?
About months.
Did you love her?
I renew my objection to this witness, Your Honor.
He has no relevance.
The plaintiff claims my client's actions
were unreasonable, Your Honor.
This witness goes to show even her close friends
-
-
I'll allow it, counsel. But get to it.
During the time of your relationship with Miss Convers,
were you aware she was a biological male?
No.
And sir, when this person you loved
told you she used to be a male,
how did you respond?
You're under oath, sir.
I ended our relationship.
Why?
I, uh...
I couldn't make love to her anymore.
I mean the thought that she's really a...
That she used to be a man.
I just couldn't do it.
I'm sorry, Sue.
I have nothing further.
During your month relationship,
did she do anything,
or look or behave in any way
that wasn't consistent with being female?
No.
The two of you could make love
and have conventional, satisfying intercourse?
Yes.
And you were in love with her,
weren't you, Mr. Rhodes?
I thought I was.
Then tell me...
what expectations do you have of a woman
that Susan didn't fulfill?
Probably none.
Thank you. That's all.
♪♪
We're certainly aware that steroid abuse occurs.
But we do everything we can to discourage it.
And that's including the distribution of materials
to every incoming freshman which details the dangers.
Did you know that Calvin Webster was taking these dr*gs?
No, I did not.
And sir, what would happen if you discovered
that one of your players was taking steroids?
He'd be suspended.
There's no room for drug abuse in my football program.
Every one of my players knows that.
Thank you, sir.
I have nothing further.
This kid goes from pounds
to in less than a year and you don't think steroids?
They're all on weight programs, they all build muscle.
They all have the acne across the back
like Calvin had?
I never noticed that.
I've got over football players,
I don't have time to watch them shower.
You have time to give random drug tests?
You have time to have a physician look at them
for potential steroid abuse?
We can't be expected to have doctors
giving physicals around the clock.
How much does your university receive
for the network television rights to your football games?
Objection, that's
-
-
This man is also an athletic director
in addition to head coach, he's got foundation.
Go ahead.
How much money does UCAL Central get per year
for the television rights to your football games.
It varies. Around million dollars.
How about gate revenues and alumni donations?
Around million.
And what's your salary, Coach?
-Objection.
-Overruled.
How much a year do you make, Coach Lungren?
With endorsements, . million.
Mmm. That's a lot of people making a lot of money.
And nobody can spend the time and effort
to see if these kids are taking steroids.
We make the effort, Mr. Mullaney.
We can't stop it.
You don't want to stop it.
'Cause if you do, your players won't be so strong.
You want go and every year.
The university could lose its TV money,
and you might lose your million dollar salary.
Objection.
I care about these kids.
You had dinner with Calvin's parents
and told them you personally would look out for him.
You think you kept your promise, Coach?
These young men are adults.
No, coach, they're kids.
Trusted to you by their parents.
They are kids.
And the one we're talking about today is dead.
They've made a settlement offer.
.
No.
Susan, your boyfriend's testimony hurt us.
He showed it's reasonable for people to be disgusted.
Including you, right, Mr. Brackman?
-I didn't say that.
-You don't have to.
Don't get me wrong, I think you're doing a great job in there.
But I felt your revulsion.
-I certainly
-
-
-Don't deny it.
Not if you're going to recommend that I just walk away
from this blatant discrimination.
It's a jury of ordinary people.
They can't help but be put off by what you are.
I understand your feelings.
You see me as a freak.
You think it's reasonable for them to see me as a freak.
This isn't relevant to our case.
It's relevant to me.
When I was ...
When I was , I fell in love
with my brother's best friend.
Brian.
I never told him.
I never told anyone.
I didn't want to be a man loving a man.
I wanted to be a woman loving a man.
Back then, I thought of myself as a freak.
So here I am, I finally feel like a person.
I'm finally whole!
And now you and that jury
and the rest of the world,
now you're the one's who see me as a freak!
Your Honor...
First, let me say that
this has been a very interesting week.
To wit...
My findings are that this is an erratic,
at times strife
-torn and tumultuous organization.
Nevertheless, after careful scrutiny of billing procedures,
client base, liabilities, costs and projected revenues,
I am convinced that the remaining nucleus of attorneys
can sustain a viable practice of law.
However, one cannot ignore
a number of very serious problems.
Contested ownership of receivables.
The thr*at of substantial client attrition,
insufficient protection of invested assets,
and potential loss of operating capital.
What's your recommendation?
Your asking me what is my recommendation?
My recommendation is that the firm be placed in receivership
for a period of six months
with the court retaining the option of extending
said period as it deems proper.
In the alternative, Your Honor,
it would be my recommendation that McKenzie Brackman
Chaney Kuzak and Becker be dissolved as a law partnership.
Thank you.
I'll review your report,
and make my official ruling tomorrow.
That's all.
Don't think this is over. This isn't over!
Our only option is to go chapter , reorganize
-
-
I don't want this place to be put into any kind of bankruptcy.
Leland, this firm will never withstand receivership.
It's much worse than any
-
-
Excuse me. Leland, you've got to call this office together.
It's all over the place that we're going under,
-and everybody
-
-
-We don't have time to hold hands, Roxanne.
It's very simple, Leland,
we go into Federal court, we file
-
-
No, damn it!
Leland, he's right!
It totally stays the receivership
then we start over again.
There is no stigma to it anymore.
-I don't believe that.
-There is to me.
All right, Leland, look.
If we go into bankruptcy, we run the firm.
If we stay in receivership, we don't.
It's as simple as that.
The day I go into Federal court and put my firm
-
-
[overlapping dialogue]
-[clattering]
-Help, come quick!
-What was that?
-What was that?
Oh, no, let's go.
[Benny screaming]
-Benny?
-Benny!
Benny, what's going on?
-Benny? Oh my God!
-Benny!
-Wait, stay back.
-Look out!
Somebody get security.
Benny?
Call security!
Benny! Look, Benny!
[screaming]
Benny, calm down
-
-
-Arnie!
-Arnie, are you okay?
Call a damn security guard!
[shrieking]
Roxanne!
Call an ambulance.
- Okay.
[moans]
I'd like you to take a look at my client.
A good long look.
Go ahead.
Stare. Gape.
Gawk.
It's all right, really.
She's used to the snickering.
She gets it all the time.
She even got it from me.
We wouldn't look at a paraplegic this way, of course.
Or someone who's blind or deformed.
But sexual dysfunctions aren't real handicaps.
We can laugh at them.
We have to laugh at these people
because they make us uncomfortable.
Mr. Ingalls fired her despite her excellent job performance,
because he felt her transsexuality would
make society uncomfortable,
and because society would reject her.
Well, today, you represent society.
I hope you can represent one
that's free of that man's bigotry.
One that can see her, not glance at,
but see and appreciate her
for the beautiful admirable woman she is.
No one expects you to eliminate your anxiety here.
Just put it aside long enough to be fair.
If people look at her,
and see something other than a woman,
she wont sell many cosmetics, ladies and gentlemen.
That's the common sense part.
Her own boyfriend, someone who loved her,
couldn't look at her as a woman.
Can you?
That's the brutal truth part.
A shotgun didn't k*ll Calvin Webster,
ladies and gentlemen.
Greed did.
College sports is big business.
ABC paid million
for years of Pac Big football.
Notre Dame gets million dollars from NBC
for home games over the next five years.
CBS? They just paid one billion,
one billion for seven NCAA basketball tournaments.
Coaches make in excess of a million dollars a year.
These athletic programs are like pro franchises.
But it only happens, it only happens if you win.
That is why these coaches, programs, even universities
are willing to look the other way
when it comes to steroid abuse.
Without the muscle, they don't get the bowl bids.
Without an offensive line
that average at least pounds,
forget about the television contracts.
So these academic institutions pretend they don't see
what these kids are doing to themselves.
And young men like Calvin Webster are exploited.
Sure, he made the decision to take the dr*gs.
But kids like him are arriving on college campuses
every day where steroid use is rampant.
It is the norm.
And these kids know.
If they don't perform as well as the next guy,
the lose their scholarships.
Now, the universities could try to stop all this,
but they choose not to.
Kenny Webster found his only brother in the garage
with his head blown off.
Let's make these academic institutions rethink things a little.
Hmm?
Nobody at the university forced or
even encouraged him to take those dr*gs.
Nobody said or even implied that he should
enhance his performance artificially.
Calvin Webster alone made that decision.
It's always tragic when somebody that young dies.
And my heart goes out to the Webster family,
as yours does.
But in our sympathy for the family,
we can't assign blame where it doesn't belong.
Calvin Webster was old enough to vote,
he was old enough to serve in the m*llitary.
He chose to go out for the football team,
he chose to take steroids,
and he chose to take his own life.
Mr. Lungren had no control over any of those things.
Neither did the university.
Sitting here is a university.
Sitting there is a parent.
Who really dropped the ball here?
Madame foreman, have you reached a verdict?
We have, Your Honor.
What say you?
In the matter of Convers vs. Ladybright cosmetics,
we find in favor of the plaintiff,
and order the defendant to pay compensatory damages
in the amount of $,.
Members of the jury, thank you.
You're adjourned.
I don't believe it!
Thank you, thank you so much.
I'm delighted we won.
Not just for winning.
for the things you said in the summation.
Just arguing the facts, that's all.
Thanks, again.
My pleasure, Miss Convers.
[knocks]
How's he doing?
Not good.
He's non
-responsive.
Did they say what...
STUART: Yeah, severe depression.
Yeah.
Caused by trauma, probably by us.
Oh, God.
Hey, you.
Everything's going to be okay.
Doctor's going to take good care of you,
you're going to get a lot of rest.
Everything's going to be great, Benny.
VICTOR: We love you, Benny, you know that.
We're all here for you.
Okay, we have to take him downstairs for some more tests.
You can visit again this afternoon.
We'll be back, Benny.
Take care, Benny.
We're due back in court.
Yeah.
All right, people, I have review Mr. Meyer's
report very carefully, and
-
-
Where the hell is our moving party?
:, counsel.
I don't like lawyers showing up late.
I'm sorry, Your Honor. If I may, Judge,
at this time we would like to withdraw our petition
for receivership.
Why?
Because I cannot stand here as an officer of the court
and tell you that this firm is no longer viable.
Sitting there, Your Honor,
is an extraordinary pool of talent.
As much as my ego would like to think
that they can't get along without us,
I know better.
Tommy Mullaney took over Jonathan Rollins trial
and he hasn't missed a step.
Yesterday, I sat and listened to Douglas Brackman
deliver a closing argument
that is one of the best I have ever heard,
and he is not even supposed to be a litigator.
Maybe you should be, Douglas,
you're better than Jack here.
Stuart Markowitz, Anne Kelsey,
Arnold Becker, Leland McKenzie.
These are great lawyers.
There's a tremendous spirit at McKenzie Brackman.
I can think of no greater atrocity, Your Honor,
then to have that spirit or this firm extinguished.
I'll miss working with you.
We apologize for taking up the court's time, Your Honor.
We are prepared to pay costs.
Motion withdrawn. Case adjourned.
Now what?
A moment of your time, Leland.
Yeah.
We won't be touching any past or present
McKenzie Brackman clients.
You can apply my vested capital in the firm
to the Earl Williams bill.
I don't know what kind of practice we're going to be able to put together.
Victor and Grace want to try,
but I don't think we're going to be able to afford
Jonathan and Abby now.
They're welcome to come back.
Good. That would be good.
As are you.
I...
I think it's time for the child to leave the parent now, Leland.
I really want to try this.
Okay.
You remember when you interviewed me for this job?
You told me my hair was too long.
And like an idiot I went ahead and hired you anyway.
I'll always love you, you old man.
Well, we'll still see each other.
Get lunch.
-Yeah.
-Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I am not officially discharged as receiver!
This is an outrage!
Not to mention disrespect.
Rox, honey, calm your dogs, would ya?
Ding, dong, the receiver is dead!
Throw this man out!
[applause, cheers]
Ingratitude all over. It kills me!
Hey.
What are you doing here?
Did you hear all that commotion out there?
They just hauled out Receiver Dave.
Thank God.
And...
Jonathan and I are coming back to work here.
Hey, that's fantastic.
We'll be co
-workers again.
I though maybe we could go out tonight and celebrate.
Absolutely.
Yeah, let's, uh... Let's get Tommy, Jonathan,
we'll make it a party.
Well...
Actually, I was...
I was thinking maybe it could just be you and me.
Alone.
You mean like a date?
No.
Yeah.
Forget it.
-No, no.
-Forget it.
Um... I'm just a little confused.
Well, if you'd rather not
-
-
No, no, no, let's do it.
Dinner,
Eight's good. Eight's perfect.
I'll pick you up.
-Okay.
-Okay.
Eight's... eight's perfect.
Okay.
Mr. Foreman, have you reached a verdict?
We have, Your Honor.
In the matter of Webster vs.
the University of California Central,
we find for the plaintiffs,
and order the defendants to pay damages
in the amount of . million dollars.
[audience clamoring]
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
thank you for your service.
This court is adjourned.
Thank you. Thank you.
Mr. Webster...
I just want you to know how truly sorry I am.
Calvin was a good boy.
Listen to what that jury told you, Mr. Lungren.
Do something, coach, just don't raise ticket prices
to pay off the judgment.
Do something.
♪♪
Are you okay?
Yeah, sure.
[sighs]
Leaving is a little tough, you know?
We'll survive, huh?
It must be tougher for you than for Victor and me.
You've been here for years, Michael.
The place is a part of you.
And you a part of it.
You will struggle with it.
I know.
[clattering]
What are you doing?
Huh?
Hey, Mike, remember this? Dog bite case?
I bet you your chair that I'd win?
And I did.
I love this chair.
I mean, he broke it in so well.
You know, Victor, I don't know how to tell you this....
but this chair belongs to the firm.
You can't take it with you.
Sorry.
Okay.
Easy come, easy go.
Yeah.
We're really walking out of here, huh?
[sighs]
Ah...
We'll meet you outside.
No.
No, I'm ready to go.
Goodbye.
♪♪ [theme]
05x19 - Speak, Lawyers, For Me
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High-powered law firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak handles both criminal and civil cases, but the office politics and romance often distract them from the courtroom.
High-powered law firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak handles both criminal and civil cases, but the office politics and romance often distract them from the courtroom.