Page 81 of Partner Pursuit
“No,” Malaburn said. “I’ll expect are-draftin the morning.” He handed her the brief, marked with red slashes. He turned and walkedaway.
Audrey stared after him, her arms slack, her hand tightly holding the papers. She unlocked her office door. It was a good brief. Her experience taught her that. She slammed them down on her desk. She hated him so much. She was tempted to just ignore him and give the same brief back to him. That’s probably what he wanted her to do so he could give a reason for not supporting her for partner.
She sank into her chair. Deep breaths. She’d have to cancel dinnerwithJake.
Any writing could beimproved.
She’d read his comments and see if there was a way to improve it, but give herself a time limit. If she got home by 10 p.m., she’d still have some time to talk toJake.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
To: Audrey Willems
From:Colette Caron
Date:October
Subject: Deposition of Plaintiff inJamescase
Audrey,
I just read your deposition transcript of the plaintiff from the James case. You let plaintiff’s counsel walk all over you. Counsel talked more than the plaintiff. How will that help us in your strategy? We were supposed to impress them, not bea doormat.
Yours truly,
Colette
"Lovely,” Audrey said. At least Colette was sharing her thoughts and hadn’t cc’edtheteam.
Winnie entered her office, her mug of coffee in hand. “What’s lovely?”she asked.
“I’ll let you read Colette’s latest friendly missiveyourself.”
Winnie crossed the office to stand behind Audrey’s computer screen.
Winnie finished reading the email and shook her head. “Did she read what the plaintiff’s lawyer said? We totally made the right decision to let him talk. What he was saying was helpful for us. He came off as a total idiot,” Winnie said, walking back around the desk and sitting in one of the office chairs.
“I’m surprised she doesn’t see that,” Audrey said. “I mean, we did discuss it at the break: that he kept cutting me off and whether I should stopthat.”
“He was telling us his entire strategy. I wondered if it was because we were women and he thought we were completely clueless.” Winnie stretched out the word “clueless.”
“We should have told him we didn’t appreciate his ‘man-terrupting,’” Audreysaid.
Winnie laughed. “I would’ve loved to see the expression onhisface.”
“But I’m surprised she doesn’t see how much hetold us.”
“She’s just pissed because Hunter decided to go with your recommended strategy. What are you going to write back?” Winnie asked, leaning across Audrey’s desk. “You should reply with some of his better admissions from the deposition.” Winnie stood and puffed out her chest, sticking her nose in the air, and imitated the counsel’s patronizing deep voice when he’d said: “Are you asking about his sophistication? You don’t need that. I’m not pursuing a federal securities claim.”
“And we worried that he might. I still don’t understand why he wouldn’t. That was shocking.” Audrey leaned back inher chair.
“You should also tell her that this is part of the strategy. You didn’t give up your game. He mistakenly thinks you’re a pussycat. Wait until he meets a tigerin court.”
“Her approach is we scare them off before we getto court.”
“I’m surprised she’s not more sympathetic to the feminine wiles approach,” Winniesaid.
“There’s no way we’re going to scare them off. He has a good case with James. That plaintiff was a sweetheart grandfather who’s lost some of his life savings by entrusting them to James. And who’s in the jury pool? Other retirees.” Audrey stared at the blue painting. “I don’t think I shouldrespond.”
