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Mary’s
father, Tony, arrives at her office for a consultation. With him are his best friends
– The Three Tonies:
Her father had
grown up with The Tonys; Tony “From-Down-The-Block” Lomonaco, “Pigeon” Tony
Lucia, and Tony “Two Feet” Pensiera, which got shortened to “Feet,” so even his
nickname had a nickname. It went without saying that name traditions in South
Phlly were sui generis which was Latin
for completely insane. The Tonys went everywhere with her father and sometimes
helped her on her cases, which was liking having a secret weapon or a traveling
nightmare.
They
have come to ask her to help Feet’s son, her unofficial cousin Simon, who has
been dismissed by his employer, OpenSpace, an office cubicle manufacturing
company.
Simon
is already in the midst of a personal crisis. His wife has died and his young
daughter, Rachel, is in need of a bone marrow transplant.
When
Mary hears he was fired because his employer was concerned about the costs of
the costs to the company health insurance because of Rachel’s medical condition
Mary sees an excellent case for wrongful dismissal.
In her
enthusiasm and desire to support her family and community Mary makes a
fundamental mistake for any lawyer in a private law firm larger than one.
Without doing a conflict review within the firm she commits to representing
him.
When
she advises her partner, Bennie Rosato, of the new case she learns to her
dismay that Bennie is the long time lawyer for Dumbarton Industries, the parent
company to Simon’s employer.
A
huge ethical issue must be addressed. One lawyer cannot represent a client in a
lawsuit against another client of the firm. There is a conflict of interest
between the respective clients. Firms of every size require conflicts checks
before taking on new cases.
Leaving
aside the plausibility of Mary taking on a case without determining if there
was a conflict I was surprised to learn the issue is not as clear cut as I
expected where one of the clients is the parent company to the company being
sued as is the case in Mary’s action.
What
Mary’s action inevitably provokes is the question whether Mary and Bennie can
remain partners. Mary has acted precipitously, if not recklessly, and while
there may be legal authority for being able to sue Open Spaces even though
Bennie represents the parent company there are serious issues for the
partnership. Law partners must trust each other and cannot be worried a partner
will take up a case that may casuse a conflict with other clients of the firm.
Taking the case against a client is further bound to have an adverse effect
upon the firm’s relationship with the existing client.
In Exposed the owner of Dumbarton is Nate
Lence, who Bennie has known since law school. He is incensed that Bennie will
not forthwith prohibit Mary from taking the case. Bennie explains to her lover,
Declan, Lence’s reaction:
…. “He wouldn’t normally, but this
time, he’s taking it
personally.”
“Because you’re involved. Hell hath
no fury like a lawyer
scorned.”
To
Scottoline’s credit Mary and Bennie remain respectful of each other as they
determine whether there is a way for their partnership to survive. Both accept
the other is honourable and not out to hurt the other partner.
As
they wrestle with the question of conflict of interest the sales manager of
Open Space is killed and Simon is the leading suspect.
I
was startled by the murder. I had been caught up in the story of the civil
action for wrongful dismissal, the transplant drama of Rachel and the conflict
of interest issue. I had no need of a murder to keep me engrossed. If anything,
I found the murder a distraction.
Scottoline’s
resolution of the murder is cleverly done. Mary and Bennie use their legal
skills to determine the real killer.
The conclusion
was more Hollywood than I prefer in a book but the thriller conclusion was
again well done by Scottoline.
You
cannot describe Exposed as a light
read with the serious legal issues addressed in the plot and a murder being
solved. At the same time it was easy reading.
There
are precious few works of legal fiction that emphasize positive family
relationships. Mary’s family, official and unofficial, are warm emotional
people. Most lawyers I know have such families. I wish more of them were
created in legal fiction.
Exposed is the second book from the 2018
shortlist for the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction I have read. I enjoyed the
book.
Oh, that is an interesting question, Bill: conflict of interest when it comes to accepting cases. I haven't read a lot of legal novels where that sort of situation comes up, so I'm glad Scottoline brings that up. I'm also glad there are consequences for committing to a case before a conflict check; that strikes me as realistic. I'm very glad, actually, that you discuss this book; I must spotlight one of Scottoline's books, and I appreciate the reminder that I haven't yet done that.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. Scottoline has an interesting mix of dark and light in her plot.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Add this to the list of books that I would like to borrow next time I’m home :)
ReplyDeleteJonathan: Thanks for the comment. I will send it to you so you do not have to wait.
DeleteI have always thought I should read a Lisa Scottoline book: this one sounds good. I love the idea that you got carried away by the legal details and the murder took you by surprise. And that is an interesting point about the warm family relationships.
ReplyDeleteMoira: She has a style all her own. Her over the top family mixed with important legal issues.
DeleteI love these books. I realized as I looked up Exposed at Lisa Scottoline's website that I've missed a few.
ReplyDeleteI read Exposed a few weeks ago and it hit the spot. It was what I needed, escapism, legal issues, great characters and lots of humor. The crazy Italian family is hilarious. Just the names of the three Tonys gets me laughing.
"Enjoyable" is the word I'd use to describe this book. I need more like it and am looking up the ones I've missed in this series.
Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. Fun and enjoyable are apt for Exposed and too little applicable to most other legal fiction.
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