Bluff City Law

I hold a family's future in my hands...

Not in theory, not indirectly.

What I say and how I say it will determine the life they have.

This is Edgar Soriano.

And this is the high school where he worked

as a custodian for 15 years.

This is his wife, Maria,

who now supports the family by working double shifts

since Edgar got sick.

And this is their daughter, Eva,

who plans to go to medical school

so she can cure her dad.

Edgar is my client.

It's my job to find him justice.

Everyone likes to talk about

how this kind of work is noble or rewarding,

but what they don't tell you is,

if you lose,

it destroys you.

_

Mr. Davis, before we begin, would you like some water?

Anything at all to make you more comfortable?

No.

Mr. Davis, in your complaint, you stated that

you have chewed Kentucky Red tobacco since you were 14.

During that time, did you ever use a competitor's product?

Sometimes.

But you believe that Kentucky Red

is the reason for your throat dysphagia?

- I do. - Mr. Davis,

have you been tested for sexually transmitted diseases?

- Hang on now... - Untreated STDs

are a known cause of his illness.

I just wanna know if he's been tested.

I don't need to be tested. I'm happily married.

Mr. Davis, are you aware your wife has had three affairs

in the last ten years?

Counsel, if you're planning to attack this woman

- I will end this deposition... - Mr. Davis,

is it possible any of the prostitutes you visited

in the last ten years could've given you

a sexually transmitted disease?

Okay, we are done here, Ms. Strait.

Yes, we are.

You really do look down on us.

I thought that was just a figure of speech.

Carla, what part of "my father isn't welcome here"

didn't you understand?

The part where your mother dies.

What?

I don't know if I can do this.

I'm serious, Bri.

I mean, five days ago,

Mom and I are having lunch and laughing

at all the horrible dates I'm going on,

and now she's just gone from a stroke.

When my mother passed,

my best friend was with me every step of the way.

I intend on doing the same thing for her.

Okay.

My wife was my light.

And, uh,

terrifies me to think that she's gone.

I remember, I think it was our second date,

I...

I just finished telling her how impressive I was gonna be

as a big money lawyer.

And she gave me that stare...

That Carolyn stare that

our daughter Sydney inherited.

She said, "Why measure yourself by money

when you have a chance to change the world?"

So, uh, that's the infamous Sydney.

You two stay in touch?

Nah.

I haven't talked to her since the day she walked out

three years ago.

Your mother gave me updates

every week she saw you.

Me too.

She'd get a kick out of this, wouldn't she?

Two of us sitting here on the porch.

Especially this quietly.

Can I show you something?

What do you think?

I think there's a reason

Amerifarm is 66 and 0 in lawsuits against Greencoat.

68 and 0. They won two more last week.

- Oh. - Seriously.

You work for these companies now...

You mean the dark side?

You know how they think.

Tell me. How would you beat me?

Part of a class-action?

86 clients. 24 states.

Okay.

First thing I'd do is avoid your client.

I'd scour the 86,

find someone who plays like he's in it for the money,

make him the face for the jury.

Then I'd drag you into a war of experts.

Mine would be EPA certified,

and yours would be "guns for hire."

And finally, I'd nail you on causation.

"Prove Greencoat made him sick."

You won't be able to, and Amerifarm will be 69 and 0.

I'm sorry. You just... you can't win.

Could you... win?

If you were representing the Sorianos,

could you win this case?

I want you to come back to the firm, Sydney.

Dad.

I want you fighting for what's right.

Yes, by my side.

It's where you belong. We both know it.

Your mom did too.

I appreciate the offer,

but there's a reason it was a disaster the first time.

We're both alphas. Two alphas just don't mix.

Not to mention we're total opposites

with how we do the job... You're conservative.

- I wage war. - Strengths.

Our differences could be our strengths this time.

- You're serious. - For 35 years,

I've had some of the best legal minds pass through my office,

and one of the brightest?

- I let walk away. - I don't like you, Dad.

Have you forgotten that?

I can't just ignore how you treated me

when we worked together.

And I'm not gonna forgive you for all the years

that you cheated on mom.

I don't see a hero. I see a hypocrite.

Well, that's no reason to become some vampire

selling justice to the highest bidder.

You hate me? Fine.

You're never gonna forgive me.

Okay.

Get back in the fight, Sydney.

If not with me, somewhere else.

Because in case you haven't noticed,

the world's running out of heroes.

Why would it be any different?

If I came back, why would it be any different?

You are Elijah Strait.

You are beloved and famous in your field.

People like you don't just change, Dad.

- Why would you even try? - Because, wh...

When you lose the love of your life,

you realize that...

that you don't wanna miss even one moment

with your incredible daughter.

Strait & Associates. One moment.

Thank you.

Guess hell froze over, huh?

Come here.

- Aww, Della. - Oh.

Your mom is smiling down right now, you know that?

I'm gonna have to get on the horn with Vanderbilt,

tell them their top two students are back on the same side.

Just so we're clear... one, two.

Only 'cause I helped you in Con Law.

You keep telling yourself that.

Hey, I heard you had another daughter.

Four to one.

I'm outnumbered in my own house.

His girls are a delight.

You only say that 'cause you get to leave after you babysit,

which reminds me, Aunt Della,

is it you or your wife who's been bringing over ice cream?

Anthony, I'm a sixth generation woman of the South.

Spoiling other people's children is in my DNA.

- Yeah, that's her. - Oh, Sydney.

Meet Emerson.

Paralegal, assistant, and all around in-house genius.

Yeah, it's, um, nice to finally meet you.

You too. Anyone that...

He's an acquired taste.

Ah.

Have the calls started?

Calls? What calls?

Oh, I bet an hour after news got out,

your phone was ringing off the hook.

"Elijah's bringing back his daughter.

What does that mean for a rainmaker like you, Jake?"

In fairness, they weren't as eloquent as that.

Give me 30 days.

After that, if you feel Sydney being here

compromises you in any way,

I'll make sure you get a job at any firm you want.

Can I use the 30 days to start places

bidding against each other, drive my price up?

I'd be disappointed if you didn't.

But in the meantime,

I found that in Carolyn's study.

It's a teacher she thought was wrongfully convicted

of killing a student.

You know how she was.

Memphis Saint of Lost Causes.

Why me? I mean, I haven't done a criminal case