L.A. Law

Last season on L.A.

Law.

Grace, we're going to be parents.

We owe it to the child to be living.

You've never even told me you love me.

But now you suddenly want to make this lifetime commitment.

That was a betrayal.

To go to the others behind my back, that was a betrayal, you son of a bitch.

I got two choices here.

Either I can walk away from this firm or I can stay here and fight for it.

I chose the latter.

You chose to screw me.

These are our respective resignations.

Michael Kuzak has opened up a law office, and the four of us have decided to go with him.

Given the severity of your violations, it is my decision that you hereby be

suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months.

Arnold!

I was working with the electricians.

Oh, me too.

I took off my pants because I didn't want to soil them.

Leland, we have to face reality.

When Victor and Michael left, litigation fell off.

When Jack Salas went, it nosedived.

Now Abby's leaving and taking more business with her.

All right, the situation is serious, but it's not critical.

I disagree.

The bank is so nervous, they're reviewing our line of credit.

Oh, that's ridiculous.

They're overreacting.

It gets worse.

I got a letter this morning from Perry Littlefield.

Because of the Shays' claim, Ballantyne is doubling our liability premium.

Because of Ann Kelsey's suspension, malpractice is going up to half a million.

Over my dead body.

We'll take our business elsewhere.

I'll make a loan if I have to.

You can't keep propping up the firm with Rosalind's money.

We have to consider alternatives.

I will not consider renting space to Susan Bloom.

Her practice is phenomenal.

She represents half of Hollywood, and she's willing to pay top dollar.

They call her Jaws, Douglas.

A rumor.

And printed in the same rag that called me a bald boar.

Susan Bloom is everything I hate.

I hate about entertainment law.

Cheap, phony, utterly devoid of ethics.

You don't even know her.

She's dynamic.

She's cutting edge.

She's a litigator anyone would be proud to share space with.

Why are you whispering, Douglas?

She's in my office.

She's taking the trouble to stop by on her way to a very important screening.

Bloom is here?

Now?

Susan Bloom, Leland Mckenzie.

Hiya, Leland.

I hear you need someone to save your ass.

Great.

Hair.

Thanks.

Now, before we start, I have an announcement.

For those of you who don't know, Abigail Perkins is no longer with the firm.

What?

Is she okay?

She got a huge offer from McCann Jones.

We couldn't match it.

She resigned her partnership last night, and frankly, she couldn't have picked a worse time.

Doug, her father had a stroke.

She put him in a nursing home, which is going to cost God knows how much.

She needed some security.

You knew about this?

Uh-huh.

Since there's nothing we can do, I suggest we move on.

I'd like to introduce our new associate, Bill Castoverde.

Some of you are familiar with his talents as a litigator.

Familiar.

Welcome to all sides.

He killed me.

Thanks.

It's weird to be here.

He'll be moving into Victor's old office.

Second, a heartfelt welcome back to Ann Kelsey.

Believe me, you were missed.

All right.

It's about time.

It's good to be back.

Too bad Stuart can't say the same.

He's with Matthew.

Amalia quit two days ago, and we've been going crazy trying to replace her.

What is this crap, Douglas?

I come in, I'm running late.

My messages haven't been picked up, my mail hasn't been opened, and there's

some bimbo sitting outside my office telling me that Gwen is serving jury duty.

I thought you were going to get her excused.

She didn't want me to.

You'll just have to survive with a temp.

I have special needs, Douglas.

Personnel is Roxanne's department.

Use your influence.

Jonathan has the Lunsford deposition.

C.J.

Starts People vs.

Mannheim.

I meet in the Powell Trust.

Anything else?

Ah, one more note.

We may be renting out our extra office space.

That isn't settled yet.

Then we're adjourned.

Grace.

Leland.

Oh, it's good to see you.

You too.

I know I should have made an appointment.

Oh, now, don't be silly.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry about the baby.

I got your note, thank you.

How is Victor?

Victor and I...

Victor and I are separated.

Uh... I'm no longer practicing with him and Michael.

Well, I don't know what to say.

I'd rather not talk about it now, Leland.

I'm here because I took the Chandler case with me.

We impanel today.

I cannot conduct an effective defense out of my house.

I would like to move in here temporarily and pay you a percentage.

Well, now, Grace, this has all happened so quickly.

You've had a lot to deal with.

Maybe you should move for a continuance.

I've had two.

And Elsa Chandler is being tried in the press.

The ice queen who killed her husband.

The judge is not going to go for another delay.

Well, certainly a couple of weeks.

The DA would fight it as well.

I'm up against a wall, Leland.

Yeah.

Yeah, I see.

You know, we sure could use your name on our letterhead just now.

What if you were to come back to the firm of counsel?

After the way I left, this is very generous of you.

Oh, not at all.

No, no.

It benefits us both.

You'd be bringing in something high profile.

We would supply the second chair.

I'm not sure that's necessary.

No, I insist.

It's a capital case.

You'll need someone.

It's the least we can do.

Have you read, seen, or heard any of the publicity surrounding this case?

I saw one news report on TV.

Did it cause you to form an opinion about the guilt or innocence of Mr. Diamond?

No.

Juror is acceptable to the people, Your Honor.

How do you feel about sex, Ms. Taylor?

Objection.

What on earth does that have to do with anything?

Your Honor, some people consider my client a pornographer.

He is one.

He admits it.

But he's not on trial for it.

Weapons and assault charges have nothing to do with pornography.

I want to know if Mr. Diamond's occupation damns him in the eyes of this juror.

All right, I'll allow it.

But watch yourself, Mr. Taylor.

Mr. Kittredge, I repeat, Ms. Taylor, how do you feel about sex?

Safe sex between consenting adults.

I'm for it.

What about explicit sex in movies?

I don't go to see it, but I don't think it should be censored.

Should they censor magazines like Mr. Diamond publishes, ones that show, for example, oral sex?

I've never read one of Mr. Diamond's magazines.

Does that disgust you?

Objection!

You're out of line, sir.

Put that away.

I was simply trying to get this juror's reaction.

I know exactly what you're doing, and it won't work in my courtroom.

Now, go on to something else and apologize to the young lady.

Your Honor, your feelings about pornography are well known.

They're obviously coloring what you see here.

If you're accusing me of bias, Mr. Kittredge, be careful.

Be very careful.

I can Bury you in sanctions.

I didn't mean to offend you, ma'am.

You didn't.

I wouldn't buy one of Mr. Diamond's magazines, but I believe in the First Amendment.

He has every right to publish them.

Defense accepts this juror.

Not to get in your way, you just stop.

We'll do all the talking.

I can handle anything but the cameras.

Yeah, but they have a right to be here.

You look pleasant, don't smile too big, and we'll get you in court as fast as we can.