ACT SIX
The civil justice system had turned into a game with both sides only interested in winning. It didn’t matter to the fourth lawyer what the truth was; he had to win if he wanted to get his money. And it didn’t matter to the first and second lawyers in the big firm what the truth was; they had to win to keep the rich and powerful happy – and paying them money.
But the lawyers all made money so, even though they were unhappy with each other, they were happy with the civil justice system.
All, that is, but one. The only lawyer who wasn’t happy with the system was the third lawyer. He believed that winning wasn’t as important as justice. He believed that sometimes the truth and the facts dictated that his clients were supposed to lose. He believed his job wasn’t just to win, but also to counsel. He believed that was why lawyers were also called “counselors.” And that was how he approached his cases.
The problem for the third lawyer was that the fourth lawyer took advantage of his beliefs. The third lawyer found that it was difficult dealing with dishonesty and a lack of ethics if he was, himself, honest and ethical. His partners didn’t have that problem. They did whatever it took – whatever it took – to beat the fourth lawyer, who did whatever it took – whatever it took – to beat the big firm lawyers.
The rich and powerful liked the first and second lawyers, who did whatever it took to win, because if they could oppress the poor and lowly and still win, that was what they wanted. They weren’t interested in justice, just in winning.
So the third lawyer’s hours continued to dwindle, as did his compensation. His two partners’ hours went up, as did their compensation. The fourth lawyers’ compensation also went up. All the lawyers got rich, except the third lawyer.
And the people suffered. The rich and powerful paid millions in lawyers’ fees to defend the scams of the poor and lowly. The poor and lowly exacted their revenge by scamming the rich and powerful even more. And the lawyers just got richer and richer.
Except the third lawyer. The third lawyer quit being a lawyer. He left the big firm and went away from the city to live on an island.
The other three lawyers carried on, business as usual. And got richer and richer, and more powerful.
And the people cried out to God for deliverance.
God heard their cries, but had no compassion. God said, “I gave you lawyers, and the lawyers have done what you wanted. You reap what you sow.”
And to the lawyers, God said, “Woe unto you, you lawyers, for you load people down with burdens too grievous to bear, and you, yourselves, lift not a finger to help them.”
And the third lawyer lived on an island and was happy.
Mike Farris
(214) 979-0100
mfarris@tiptonjoneslaw.com
