The Guardian (2001) s01e10 Episode Script

So, you like being a corporate lawyer? - Sure.
What do you like about it? - Oh, the hours.
Yeah.
No, come on, really.
Making deals, landing clients.
I like business.
I like being in the thick of it.
You always behave like this when you're applying for a job? Yeah.
I mean, I like to know what I'm getting into.
Well, my father's very interested in hiring you.
I know.
And I really appreciate his interest.
But uh - I just decided that uh - I'm gonna take a different job.
But you've helped me, you know.
You really have.
Thanks.
All set with the lights, darling? Come on.
What the hell.
What are you doing here? - This is my office.
This is the broom closet.
Yeah, well, for the last two months it's been my office.
Oh, well, they told me this was the broom closet.
I mean, except for the guy who uh - uses it when he chooses to stop by and make more work for the rest of them.
I think they call him the community service jerk-off.
I'm that community service jerk-off.
Yeah.
I just figured that out.
This is the job you chose instead of working for my father's firm? Yeah.
It's crazy.
- It is? You have any idea what they're gonna put you through here? They - they pay you nothing.
They -they expect you Oh, money.
You think I care about the money? I don't care what I get paid.
I never did.
I chose to be the Associate Director of Legal Services of Pittsburgh instead of pushing papers for you.
- Associate Director? Yeah.
Which I believe makes me your boss.
Morning, Nick.
- That girl in my office.
Louisa Archer.
We're very lucky to have gotten her.
She just finished her federal clerkship with Judge McHenry.
What? No, I know who she is.
Can you just get her out of my office? That's her office now.
- It's - it's a broom closet.
Oh, Miss Archer.
Come in, please.
I want you two to work on a case together.
Why? It's sensitive.
Ahmad Hassan, an Arab-American man, took a baseball bat to a kid who was vandalizing his restaurant.
I read about that.
That kid was arrested, wasn't he? Yeah, for breaking and entering.
- So what's the problem? The problem is the kid's parents are suing Hassan for damages for assault and battery.
- You're kidding.
No.
They claim their kid's hand and arm are permanently damaged.
How much do they want? A million dollars.
- For what? Well, the kid was just accepted at Pitt, pre-med.
The parents claim he was gonna be a surgeon.
Have fun.
So you're performing community service here? - Yes.
Drug charge, huh? - That's right.
How'd you guess? It's always a drug charge.
Rich kid.
Connections.
Community service.
But you know what? There's something I don't understand.
- Really? What is that? Why a judge would ask someone like you to come and do this work.
I can totally understandasking you to push papers, or speak to high school kids, but to entrust you with this kind of responsibility when you've proven that your moral fiber is.
My moral fiber? - Your moral fiber is Uh - listen, if we have to work together, is there any chance that you might do me a favor and just -just shut the hell up? No.
Well, our billable hours are down, but that's - that's understandable, given the economy.
But I - I do think that we have to take a very hard look at the way we're doing business.
I - I Yeah, Larry? - I have an announcement to make.
I'm leaving the firm.
I've decided to work with Kirk and McGee.
Well, I'm uh - surprised, Larry.
Kirk and McGee has branches in seven cities, including London.
And there's mobility there.
Here I'm just waiting for you to retire, Burton.
Well, now you'll have a chance to see if you can stand on your own two feet.
Who was this firm's top biller for the last five years? Off the strength of my clients.
Don't forget who landed 'em.
Don't forget who kept them.
I assume this deal was made based on your clients' portability.
I've made my announcement.
I'll be out in the open about it.
Feel free to compete.
Stay away from my staff.
- I can recruit anyone I want.
Stay away from my staff.
Okay.
Let's just uh make a list of every one of his clients.
Give 'em a call.
Drop by the office.
Whatever.
But uh let 'em know in no uncertain terms that it's safer and smarter, cheaper to stay with us.
So now, I I trust I have the loyalty of everybody.
Absolutely, Burton.
Oh, of course.
No question about it.
Of course.
Do you understand that the family of the boy you hit is filing a personal injury lawsuit against you? - Yes.
Do you understand what that lawsuit means? - He's filing for assault and battery.
They're going to say I used excessive force in self-defense.
Do you think they can win? It's a frivolous lawsuit, Mr.
Hassan.
I know that.
I'm asking if you think they can win.
We are going to file a summary judgment motion, and I think the case is gonna be thrown out.
What is it? - Well, I I think these are issues for a jury.
I don't think any judge is gonna want to throw this out.
And if it goes to court? - Well, you you put that kid in a suit and tie, hold up his damaged hand for the judge and jury to see, claim that Mr.
Hassan overreacted to a childish prank, I I think this case has stronger legs than Miss Archer seems to think.
So what do you think I should do? I think you should use your insurance money to settle.
I - I don't have insurance.
Well, I can I can schedule a meeting with the Hudsons to see if we can work something out.
So, how are things at Ducane Union? - Fine, Burton.
Thanks.
I really appreciate your coming down here on such uh - short notice.
No problem.
We you want a drink? Jake, get him a what do you want? A beer? Get him a beer, will ya? I understand that that Larry Hines was point man for you for these last few years.
Now that Larry's gone, though, I'm I'm gonna jump in here personally and oversee your matters.
Make sure that uh your transactions, lawsuits, whatever situation arises is gonna get our A plus attention.
You're a hell of a lawyer, Burton.
I've got a first class dilemma choosing between you guys.
Well, we just hope we can keep your business.
Okay? Cheers.
Good to see you, Richard.
You're looking good.
- Thanks.
I just want to assure you that every transaction, every situation, every lawsuit will get our personal attention big time, that I would personally oversee your matters transactions, lawsuits whatever the situation, and make sure that you get A plus attention.
That uh whatever transaction or lawsuit, whatever the situation, it's gonna get our A plus attention, that's for sure.
Well, it's uh it's always good to see you, Fred.
Take care, and be sure and say hi to Helen, will ya? Take care.
Bye, Fred.
Gettin' way too old for this crap.
See you in the morning, okay? I see why he's so freakin' successful.
We want to see if we could settle this amicably.
We'll settle for a million dollars.
Mr.
Hassan was acting out of self defense.
Maybe the first time he struck my client.
Second time was brutal and excessive.
Your client was vandalizing Mr.
Hassan's property.
It was a childish prank.
- Throwing bricks through windows and spray painting racial slurs on the door of a man's business is not a childish prank.
Kids get carried away.
- Oh, come on.
And the two of you are taking horrible advantage of a sensitive time.
What are you teaching your child? That man destroyed Perry's future.
His hand is permanently damaged.
Now, you can fix a restaurant.
You can paint over a door.
But you cannot replace what that man took away from my son! Please drop this suit before the press gets a hold of it.
The press is not our concern.
If you're so worried about this getting out, perhaps you should ask your client to settle.
My client doesn't have a dollar to his name.
- He has a restaurant.
Which he worked fifteen years for after he immigrated here.
He has nothing else.
Well, he should have thought about that before he picked up a weapon.
He was protecting his daughter, you idiot! That's a card for Melissa Henning.
That's a woman down at the Pittsburgh Police Department that specializes in hate crimes.
Wait.
You're not threatening a criminal charge as a counter to a civil suit.
That's unethical! We can file civil hate crime charges.
If that triggers a criminal charge from the DA and your client has to spend some time in jail, well, then that is out of our hands.
Outside.
They don't have a good case, Mr.
Hassan.
Their odds of proving liability aren't strong, and it's gonna be very difficult for them to prove that this kid's future damages are significant.
But you can't be certain? You have the stronger case.
Do you want to go ahead with this? I - I don't know.
- There are some risks.
The press is probably gonna get a hold of this and run with that I doubt that.
I I that's just my opinion.
Well, do you think the Hudsons will drop this suit? If they don't, I strongly recommend you take this course of action.
Well, let let's see if they drop the case before we do something like this, all right? Okay.
That's smart.
You ever think of leaving your emotions out of negotiations? Why? - Because it makes you look weak.
Doesn't this piss you off? - Yeah.
But I don't give them the satisfaction.
Well, I do.
Mr.
Fallin, Mr.
McGee is here.
- Oh, send him in.
Thank you.
Hey, Bill.
How are you? - Oh, Burton.
Thanks for coming by.
I appreciate it.
- Yeah.
Place looks great.
You're making a real go of it.
Yeah.
We're getting along okay.
Sit down.
I'm sorry.
I admire you, Burton.
Keeping your shop this size.
Still working on all the cases.
You know what, Bill? I I still like the practice.
So do I.
Don't get me wrong.
I've just found that if you locate enough good lawyers and lend your name to their work, the business is better all around.
Yeah, I've noticed that.
You wanted to talk about Hines? Right.
You know, Bill, our firms have gotten along so well over the years.
You know, referred clients, just kept out of each other's business.
That's true.
I'd just like to cut the crap right here.
You know I never poached any of your lawyers.
And I would just like your word as a gentleman that you won't poach any more of mine.
I'll be up front with you, Burton.
I am not gonna give you any promises that I can't keep.
Our business is flourishing.
And despite these hard times, we are gaining clients, and retaining our established relationships.
We're also building branch offices.
Your father's firm is flat-lining, Nick.
Don't get me wrong.
He's a great attorney.
But he micromanages his people.
And as a result of that style, the firm is shrinking.
I realize that this is complicated by your relationship to your father.
We will offer you a better future here at Kirk and McGee.
You'll have more responsibility, and you'll make more money.
You know, as long as you're with your dad, nobody's gonna believe that you earned your position.
You'll always just be Burton Fallin's son.
Here, you'll be your own man.
What are you offering? - To make you a partner.
Take a few days.
Think about it.
They won't drop the case.
- Oh, damn it.
The Hudson's attorney said that they would settle for half a million.
I hope you're not suggesting that Mr.
Hassan - It's just my obligation to inform the client should put up with this kind of thingof what opposing counsel said.
'Cause it would be blackmail.
It would be blackmail, Mr.
Hassan.
Listen to me.
I just want to make sure that you don't even begin to entertain their specious claims, because if you do, you're gonna give credit to this kind of opportunism.
It's it's it's racist opportunism.
Miss Archer, I think Mr.
Fallin was just telling me the facts.
I was.
Besides, I don't have five hundred dollars, let alone five hundred thousand.
Do you want to go ahead and file a hate crime suit? Yes.
Yes, I'm I'm ready.
- Okay.
Jake.
- Hi, Larry.
How's it going? It's a whole new world,Jake.
A whole new world.
You've been with Fallin for what? Seven years? Yeah.
How long has Fallin's kid been there? - Four and a half.
You think you have a chance in hell of beating Nick to the partner's office? Listen, I've been in those partner meetings.
Believe me, it's not gonna happen.
What's on your mind, Larry? I need you to come with me to help service my big clients.
They're used to you doing the day to day.
And what are you offering? Twenty five percent of the business we bring from Fallin.
Twenty percent increase in salary.
- What about the partner track? It's there for you.
Two years, tops.
But I have to know in two days.
You've gotta ensure the clients moving with me.
So you gotta do it now.
Perry Hudson and his buddies got drunk the other night, and decided that it might be fun to take out their patriotic urges on a fellow American citizen.
So they uh drove to my client's restaurant, spray painted the door, broke the window, and proceeded to make unauthorized entry onto the premises.
Once Perry was inside, my client did what any property owner has the right to do.
He simply defended his property.
The issue here is whether he acted reasonably.
Even if he was afraid, Mr.
Hassan cannot beat my client with impunity.
Well, he didn't just frighten him, Your Honor.
He broke into his place of business and frightened him.
Well, again, that's an issue for a jury to decide.
Mr.
Hassan acted in self-defense because he was afraid for his life.
He hit my client several times with a baseball bat.
Twice, Your Honor.
The intruder was carrying what appeared to be a weapon.
A baseball bat against a spray paint can.
You do not have to swat a fly with a machine gun.
Well, you you certainly don't have to spray paint racial epithets on your neighbor's store, and you don't have to break windows and make unauthorized entry.
Your Honor, everything that I am saying is based on police records as well as a sworn affidavit from Perry Hudson himself.
Mr.
Hassan was clearly acting in self defense.
He had very good reason to believe that he and his daughter were in danger.
These are triable issues of fact.
Motion denied.
What? Your Honor, you aren't you're not gonna let this ridiculousness continue.
Miss Archer - Your Honor, this is a joke! Miss Archer, another word and you'll be in contempt.
Your Honor, you listen to She's letting her emotions get the better of her.
Sit down.
You did not have to do that.
Oh, yes, I did.
- No, you didn't.
What does this mean? - It means the Hudson's case is still very much alive.
And what kind of law are you interested in, Amanda? Well, I'd like to deal more with people.
- People? Yeah.
I mean, I think corporate law is interesting, but it's a lot of contracts, due diligence, research.
Corporate law's dirty little secret.
I'd like to mix in more free work for the indigent.
Kirk and McGee does a lot of pro bono work.
I've talked with Bill McGee about you.
He was very impressed with your credentials.
He was? I've scheduled an interview for you at the end of the week.
With Mr.
McGee? Amanda, when you come in for the interview, I'd stick to the corporate line, though, you know?' Keep the "save the world" stuff between us.
Civil suit worked.
The district justice contacted the DA's office, and they're pressing criminal charges against Perry Hudson, third degree felony.
So they're definitely gonna settle now.
Look at this.
A million people read that newspaper.
It's like an invitation.
You might want to think about staying inside for a few days, Mr.
Hassan.
Salaam has to go to school.
I have to work.
Well, we're gonna go to the police and ask them to step up protection.
No.
I I can I can take care of my daughter myself.
What's gonna happen to Perry Hudson? If the civil suit works, his family will pay your father damages.
If the hate crime charges stick, he'll go to jail.
Daddy.
- Yes? Daddy, Perry Hudson - Yes? Perry was my boyfriend.
We dated for six months.
I never told you because I knew you wouldn't approve.
Six months? He's a really sweet guy, Dad.
He was always nice to me.
What happened? I don't know.
I just I wasn't ready to do the things the other girls do.
And Perry, he was patient, but I could feel how much he wanted me to dress differently or - or drink or have sex.
I started to feel really uncomfortable, so I broke up with him.
And he took it really badly.
He started following me around, waiting for me outside of the restaurant and at school.
He couldn't accept it, I guess.
So he he did this because he's in love with you? Why didn't you tell me this? I thought you would be angry.
I know how you feel about me dating boys.
Daddy, please please, tell them not to press charges.
I don't want Perry going to jail.
No, he he wouldn't have done this to you if you were a white girl.
Daddy - No.
I came to America to live with dignity and respect.
If someone decides to insult me, I'm not just going to smile and say "thank you.
" I'm sorry, Salaam, but just because you hurt this boy's feelings doesn't give him the right to do what he did! I think I might leave the firm.
Larry Hines mounts every secretary, every paralegal, every soccer mom he can.
I'd be very careful before I believed a word that came out of his mouth.
You think he's just trying to sleep with me? It's what he does.
- That is so offensive.
That's why I'm telling you.
What have I done to offend you? I try my best to be friendly, to do good work, and all you do is treat me like I'm some stupid schoolgirl.
Do you think that Kirk and McGee might actually want me because I'm a good lawyer? You want the truth? - Yes.
No, I don't.
- Why not? Because I don't think you want to be a corporate lawyer, Amanda.
I can see that you don't like it now, and I don't think you're gonna learn to like it later.
You seem like a good person who wants to do good things with your life, and if that's the case, I don't think you're gonna find what you're looking for here.
So what does this do to my case? - It complicates it.
You saw the word he painted on my door.
- Yes.
And this broken window here is going to cost me a thousand dollars at least.
And now I have to get this place re-inspected because of all of this.
I'm not saying that you don't have a case.
I am just saying it is complicated by the pre-existing relationship between Salaam and Perry.
They will argue that this is not a crime motivated by hate, but a crime motivated by love.
Oh, love? Salaam.
Salaam, who - who did this to you? Salaam, who did this to you? Kids from my school.
Boys.
They were angry about Perry, and they chased me, and I ran and fell.
Well, I'm going to call the police.
No, Daddy! Please.
I just fell, that's all.
I just fell.
I'm going to call the police! Can you give me their names? Do you want to file a report? Salaam, don't be afraid.
Tell him who did this to you.
Salaam, look at me.
You tell them who this was.
I don't want anyone else getting into trouble.
Excuse me.
The police need to step up protection.
Do you have any idea how far our resources are stretched? The men are working sixty hour weeks, skipping their vacations to keep up with the heightened state of alert that we're already in.
Now, we want to protect everyone.
That's why we're here.
Do you know that an Islamic school about thirty miles from here got a phone call from someone saying that they were gonna paint the streets with the children's blood? And then there was a Muslim student in California that got stabbed in the back and in the arm on his way out of a fundraiser for the victims' families.
A fundraiser.
There is an obvious threat to the Hassan family here and you have a special duty of care.
Now, if something happens to them or to their property, we will claim that you breached that duty.
Come in.
Hey, Jake.
Sit down.
What's on your mind? Kirk and McGee made me an offer.
I'm listening.
Twenty percent increase in salary, a better package.
Clear path to a partnership.
You think you don't have that here? You tell me.
You just gotta be patient, Jake.
How long? Jake, you gotta understand that a partnership here is a much stronger position than at Kirk and McGee.
Will Nick be made a partner before I am? I'll tell you what.
Let me have a day or two.
I'll try to fool around with some numbers and see if we can't make you a lot happier, okay? But I want you to know that you're very important to this firm.
You understand that? Very important.
Okay.
Thanks.
Thanks for coming in.
Come in.
Mr.
Fallin? - Yeah? Umm - well, uh What is it, Amanda? Larry Hines said he might want me to come fill a position over at Kirk and McGee.
Oh He - he might want you to? I mean, I just want to be on the up and up.
But did he make you an official offer? - No, but they said they were going to.
Well, why don't we just talk when when they actually make you the offer, okay? Okay.
Oh, and Amanda.
In the future, don't tell your boss you're thinking about leaving until the competing offer is on the table.
I mean yeah.
I'm working on the Palmer case.
I need a couple of signatures.
Nick, Jake and Amanda are thinking about going over to Kirk and McGee.
Do you know anything about that? - No.
No, I I didn't.
They're not talking to you, are they? Are they? Yeah.
They uh - made me an offer.
Hello, Burton.
My son? He's a hell of a good lawyer.
- He's also my son.
Are you gonna make him a partner? - That's none of your business.
Associates have always been fair game, Burton.
If you think you're gonna capitalize on my name by offering my son a position that you and I both know he's not ready for That's your opinion.
Oh, that's a fact.
You think your business is safe? I'll go after your associates, your clients, your paralegals and your secretaries.
And that's a promise.
Hey.
- Hi! Great news.
McGee wants to hire someone to oversee all pro bono work.
A kind of half and half position.
Really? And McGee thinks you'd be perfect for it.
Oh What? Oh, my God I - I wasn't - Oh, my God! You just wanted to I wasn't Amanda, get a hold of yourself.
I just patted your hand, that's all.
I overreacted? Amanda, you're a lovely young woman, but I am a happily married man with kids.
And believe me, if I were younger Well, I'd be younger then, wouldn't I Well, you'll see you'll when you meet with Bill McGee, you'll see.
I wasn't just saying all this.
We're learning more today about a story involving a restaurant owned by a Muslim immigrant that was set on fire last night.
The blaze was quickly put out and damage was not thought to be extensive, but reports now indicate that same restaurant, owned and operated by Ahmad Hassan was damaged by vandals just ten days ago.
Now, police won't confirm that the two incidents are related, or if they're racially motivated I don't think suing the police is a good idea.
I think you should move your family to a safer place, just until this thing settles.
Well, like where? Homeless shelter at Catholic Charities.
- The Hassans are not homeless.
Yes, I understand that.
- Don't let Mr.
Fallin dissuade you.
I don't think it's a good idea calling even more attention to ourselves.
We can do this.
You have rights and you should assert them.
The police didn't do this to my restaurant.
The government didn't send me those letters.
My fellow Americans did.
My countrymen burned my restaurant.
Now, I - I can guarantee you a twenty percent raise in salary.
How 'bout ten percent of all the work we do for Van Owen? Same for Halderson and Smith.
Well, they offered me twenty-five percent of all new business.
Fine.
Twenty-five percent of all new business.
Better office? New furniture? - New furniture.
They told me two years before I made partner.
They didn't guarantee you that.
No.
But I want your word that you won't make me wait more than two years.
You got it.
- Thank you, Burton.
Thank you, Jake.
Why didn't you tell me? I don't know.
So, you still considering their offer? Yeah.
You think you're ready to be a partner? - Yeah.
Based on what? I mean, how many of your own clients do you have? I have Ducane Union Bank.
- Since when? Yesterday.
Adamson told me that he would go wherever I went.
You still don't think I'm ready? Son, it's it's just a matter of of judgment and experience.
And I I don't mean legal experience.
I mean life experience.
Hell, you - you're still figuring that out.
This is about the drugs, isn't it? It's about straightening out your life.
I mean, you can't scrape by on your wits.
Now 'til you work off that community service and devote yourself to this firm - and I mean double time - you're just not ready.
What have I got to do? What? You know, all my life I've listened to that speech.
Maturity.
Responsibility.
Wisdom.
You want to know something? I look at you, all right? I look at you and I don't exactly see those qualities pouring out from behind your desk.
Oh, Nicholas - I have never asked you to make me partner.
No.
- No.
I've just worked very hard for this firm.
I have done very well by this firm.
Nicholas, they are trying to exploit my name.
All my life I've worked my ass off to build up this firm.
All I've got is my name.
My reputation.
It's my name, too.
Who is it? - It's Nick Fallin.
Coming.
Hey.
- Hi.
What is he doing here? He came by the office today.
He has something to say to you.
I -I'd appreciate it if you heard him out.
Your your daughter, I really, really liked her.
I I didn't really try to understand anything about her.
Where you're from.
Your religion.
When - when we would go out with my friends, it just never really worked out, you know.
They thought she was uptight, and I - I guess I knew she was gonna dump me.
But when she did, and she said that you told her to I asked my parents to drop the lawsuit against you.
Mr.
Fallin told me I should probably have the guts to tell you that to your face.
Why did he come here? He's in a tight spot.
Criminal charges, stronger civil suit.
You think he's trying to manipulate me? - Maybe.
Maybe not.
You think I should drop my lawsuit as well.
No, I - I never said that.
- Well, I can see that's how you're feeling.
You have a very strong case, Mr.
Hassan.
If you wish to proceed, it would be my pleasure to be there for you.
I would like to have a meeting with that boy's parents.
Okay.
Did you know that our children were dating? Neither did I.
I've had to raise my daughter alone.
Her mother died when she was two years old.
I am a proud man, a Muslim man.
I was raised in a very, very different culture.
I have been very strict with my daughter, and I will always be this way.
When I was young and I had just met my wife, I would sneak over to her home and and try to talk to her, you know, without her parents' permission.
I remember the feeling I had when I was away from her.
I thought about her all the time.
I still do.
I look at my daughter and I see my wife.
And if your son feels the way I do about her, I can begin to understand.
He did a terrible thing.
But I do not think he did it because I am Muslim.
I'll drop my case against your son.
His injury is severe.
I think I think perhaps he has suffered enough.
Mr.
McGee I'm Amanda Bowles.
- Oh.
Well, hello there.
You've never heard my name, have you? Well, I'm sorry, but no.
- Yeah.
I didn't think so.
Okay.
Hi, Amanda.
There's a meeting in the conference room.
Hey, hey, hey, hey! Amanda.
What's wrong? - Oh, nothing.
I'm fine.
Come on.
We've done well this week.
We held on to all but three of Larry's major clients.
Our associates have proven their loyalty.
And as of this afternoon, we haven't had another defection.
I know that sometimes I'm a hard man to work with.
I know that I'm demanding.
Sometimes you people don't realize how - how much I appreciate your hard work.
Well, know that I do.
Each and every one of you is incredibly important to this firm.
And it'd be a shame if you thought otherwise.
Now let's get back to work.
Come in.
Hey.
You're not gonna name a new partner? - Nope.
Not yet.
When you made me the offer to come and work with you Yeah? - Why did you? Thought you'd be an asset to the firm.
Not because I'm your son? - No, no.
No, I don't I don't do things that way.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Business comes first.
Makes sense.
Well, I'm glad you understand, son.
I'm gonna take that position over at Kirk and McGee.
Did you take the day off from work today? No.
I quit my job.
- You're kidding.
No, I did.
I start work at Kirk and McGee next week.
Mr.
Hassan? - Yes? I just I just - Yes? Well, I took the day off from school.
And I thought, you know, if you didn't mind, I thought maybe I could help out.