Here's the call you hate getting from a client at any time of the day, really, but particularly first thing in the morning:
Guess what? I've just been made the subject of a Federal indictment. What are we gonna do?
One of my colleagues just got that call, now.
Oh, joy.
[cynicism]You really hate it when that happens to a client who has been sooo good about paying his or her bills.[/cynicism]
In all seriousness, I'm truly bummed. I like this guy a lot, actually.
UPDATE
Actually, the call came from the client's wife to say that her husband had just been taken away, in handcuffs, by six Federal agents.
No word on whether the agents were singing: "Bad boy, bad boy, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you. . ." Seemed tacky to ask her, really.
Federal indictments suck.
Posted by Random Penseur at January 19, 2005 08:42 AMBut realistically, don't you just give the guy the names of some criminal attorneys, explaining that you don't do that kind of work?
Posted by: John Bruce at January 19, 2005 12:06 PMNot when our expertise is in high stakes corporate litigation and the criminal guy may need our help with untangling the serious financial issues and their legal consequences. And not when the criminal litigation may be inextricably entwined with our on-going civil litigation. Nope, we can't just pass it along and step out. Besides, there is the undeniable human element of actually caring about the guy and wanting to help him beat it, if we can.
Posted by: RP at January 19, 2005 12:13 PMI have to say that just having that phone number was probably a real wonderful thing for her.
Yes, it's gonna be a nightmare, but in my mind's eye, you guys were his wife's lifeline.
Hang in there. At least you don't have a 60 Minutes news crew there. Yet.
Posted by: Margi at January 19, 2005 01:21 PMWhat a nightmare! I can't imagine what they must be going through...glad you guys are there for them. :-)
Posted by: Amber at January 19, 2005 01:27 PMOoh...that's rough. I hope you can help him.
Posted by: Linda at January 19, 2005 02:14 PMHmm. Sounds like a story they will definitely NOT say: We'll be laughing about this in a year's time.
Posted by: Helen at January 19, 2005 02:35 PMYouch! It does rank up there as one of those calls one doesn't want to recieve.
It is good that they had your number; like Margi said, you were this families lifeline.
Well, while I appreciate the vote of confidence, it (1) wasn't me who picked up the phone on this one and (2) we will not be criminal counsel, I suspect. But we certainly will try to help to the best of our skills and abilities!
Posted by: RP at January 19, 2005 04:41 PM