Page 1 of Linc
Linc
“The jury finds the defendant not guilty,” the foreman reads the verdict from the official document.The courtroom erupts in cheers as Judge Smith bangs his gavel to regain control of the room.
I can’t help the smirk on my face as I pat my client on the shoulder in congratulations.His case has taken me a year to get to this victory and it wasn’t an easy one.
As one of the top attorneys in the country I pride myself in having a winning record.I’ve made a name for myself over the years and am sought after by everyone.My clients range from celebrities to CEOs to anyone else who can pay my exuberant hourly fee.
“Better luck next time, Buttons,” I say to the district attorney, Burt Buttons, after the judge has left the courtroom and we’re all gathering our materials up.
“You know what, Linc?I hope you and your brother are proud and sleep well every night after defending some of the worst people to walk our streets,” he sneers.
“I’m just doing my job,” I respond.“If you’d do a better job at bringing evidence then maybe you’d win one occasionally.”
His face flushes red and I can see his frustration seeping out.
“You know as well as I do that your client was guilty and deserves to be behind bars.”He takes a step towards me.
“Even if I thought that was the case, which I don’t, every person has the right to counsel and a fair trial,” I tell him, matching a step toward him.
Burt Buttons and I went to law school the same time at Yale.We didn’t run in the same circles but he was always trying to outshine me for some reason.Burt thought he was the smartest person in every room he entered and I took great pleasure knocking him down a peg or two throughout those years.
I lost to him for the very first time right after I started my own firm.The next day, he took out an entire page in the paper boasting about it, trying to make me look like a fool.That was five years ago, and the last time he ever won against me or my firm.
“What is that now, Burt, fifty-eight to one?”I brag because I can’t stand this bastard.I can’t prove it but I’m sure he has falsified some evidence to try to win a few cases against me over the last five years.I might take on some rough clients but like I said, everyone deserves to have the right to a fair trial and counsel.
His eyes narrow, “One of these days I’m going to best you, or that snot nosed brother of yours, in the worst way and there will be nothing you’ll be able to do about it.”
“I look forward to it,” I challenge.What I really want to do is knock his teeth in for even mentioning my baby brother Levi.If there is one thing in this world I protect at all costs it’s him and has been since we were little.
He turns on his cheap loafers and storms out the swinging wooden partition that separates us from the gallery.
“How long do you think the DA’s office will continue to keep him with his losing record?”I hear Olivia, one of my partners at the firm, ask.
I turn as she holds out my briefcase for me to take.“For his sake and my ego I hope they never get rid of him.”
“Well, you sure stuck it to him,” Kevin Jenkins pipes up with a big smile on his face.
Kevin has been part of the firm for almost a year.He’s been a real go-getter since joining.The last few months, he’s taken on more and more cases as he shows us how capable and smart he is.His win record is higher than most of the office.It’s impressive for someone who just came not long ago.
“The guy was a prick back in law school and hasn’t changed at all since then,” I say.
“I’d love to try my hand with him,” Kevin boasts, still reeling from the win of our case.He’s pretty cocky, like most new guys, and I think it gives him the edge our firm has.
“Linc refuses to let anyone ride solo against Burt.I think he’s made it his personal mission to always be the lead chair with cases against him,” Olivia states as she checks her phone.
“Damn right I do,” I say.
“PR just sent over the talking points for the media circus outside.”
I pull out my phone and see the message.Looking over the email I make a mental note on which ones I want to speak on.I’m riding on the winning train when I decide to let Kevin have a small piece of the attention.He was the one who did all the grunt and leg work helping with this case.
“After I finish speaking on the talking points, why don’t you answer some of the reporter’s questions,” I offer to the young associate.I watch Olivia raise an eyebrow, shocked I’d let someone else take over the spotlight on such a big case.
“Really?”he looks like I’ve just handed him a million dollars.“That’d be great.”
“Don’t make me regret this,” I tell him, then check my watch.
After I make sure the team has everything, we walk out into the hallway.The media is expecting a news conference that we’ve already prepped for and will be making shortly.Our client has already been ushered out through the backdoor and is on his way out of the country for a while until the news dies down.
