L.A. Law1986

Richard Mathers:
Your Honor, the paramount issue here must be the interest to the party's, not the misconduct of an attorney or individual serving in that capacity.

Judge Herbert Foster Reeves:
Excuse me, I''ll get to you later. Mr. Kuzak, are you at all familiar with the Cannon of Ethics as it pertains to an attorney's obligation when he discovers the Unauthorized Practice of Law?

Michael Kuzak:
Your Honor...

Judge Herbert Foster Reeves:
When he's made aware the ongoing commission of a crime.

Michael Kuzak:
Forgive me, Your Honor, but I didn't think that my client should be victimized by this man's fraud.

Richard Mathers:
He didn't hesitate to try to victimize my clients with his own opportunism, though.

Judge Herbert Foster Reeves:
Thank you, Mr. Mathers. You were going to say anything unless you lost. Is that right, Mr. Kuzak?

Michael Kuzak:
All I was doing was trying to mitigate the damage.

Judge Herbert Foster Reeves:
That isn't your role. When you found out, you had an obligation to reveal what you knew, period.

Michael Kuzak:
With all due respect, Your Honor, Mr. Mathers may be lacking in character, but his clients receive legal representation at least as good as that provided by most of the licensed practitioners to be found in these courts.

Richard Mathers:
And in no way vitiates the need for a mistrial. There is a presumptive conclusion that a party can receive adequate representation only from an attorney licensed to practice.

Michael Kuzak:
The totems got a fair trial. Justice isn't served by declaring it void.

Judge Herbert Foster Reeves:
Thank you for your commentary, gentlemen. Mr. Kuzak, despite your rhetoric, you were party to defrauding this court. I'm declaring this a mistrial. And I'm referring you to the Disciplinary Committee at the Bar Association. You can tell them how you were trying to serve interests of justice. [Judge Reeves is moving along is Mr. Mathers] Mr. Mathers? [Mr. Mathers take a seat] Is this the first case you lost? [Mr. Mathers sighs]

Richard Mathers:
No.

Judge Herbert Foster Reeves:
Then why the confession now?

Richard Mathers:
Because these people were more innocent and more ruined than any clients I ever had before that's why. They had terrific lives and ram the bottom fell out. Place their trust in me to try to obtain for them. Little financial security. Seems like honoring that trust is little more important than covering my ass. [Judge Reeves sighs. Judge Reeves press the intercom to call the bailiff Gene]

Judge Herbert Foster Reeves:
Gene, will you come in here? [Judge Reeves clears his throat] You're smooth, Mister. But I suspect at whatever you call yourself, whatever trade you appeared apply first, last and forever. You'll always be a con man. [Gene the bailiff has arrived. But Judge Reeves orders the bailiff to take Mr. Mathers into custody] Lock Mr. Mathers up. [Bailiff Gene got the handcuffs to escort Mr. Mathers out. Mr. Mathers gets up and heads to the exit of the chambers of Judge Herbert Foster Reeves, leaves and closed the door. Mr. Kuzak is sitting for a while to wait]