AllFreeNovel
Share Us
*
Tanner
“Says here, I’mto cease and desist from the practice of law within the city limits of Cypress Bayou, per the court order of Judge Keller. Pursuant until the complaint by the litigant, Carson Carmichael, is heard before the court.”
“How can he do that?” Carly’s outrage on his behalf was obvious in her stance and tone. Hands on her hips in clear defiance as if she were ready to go to battle.
“He did it.” Tanner had been expecting Carson to do something foul, as he’d promised.
“Is it legal?”
Tanner pulled up a chair in the conference room at the table. “I’m going to read through the summons. I doubt it’s a bluff.”
Carly paced as he read. Tanner couldn’t blame her, and her pacing gave an outlet to the inner emotions he couldn’t afford to let out right now. “Did he name me in the suit?”
“No. Thankfully. He didn’t have grounds since you never worked for him.” This was all utter bullshit though. “Says I didn’t give his practice reasonable notice to recover from my leaving. That I harmed clients by leaving with no notice. That I have court dates still scheduled under his business’s umbrella and it would be a conflict of interest to operate a separate law practice while I’m still doing business as his associate.”
“But you gave him a letter of resignation, right?”
“I did. And I made copies and had them notarized. I also mentioned that I no longer intended to represent those clients in the cases unless he specifically wanted me to continue to do so.”
“So, the ball was really in his court to respond to your letter of resignation and what his decision was with regards to the cases you were involved in already on the books. This sounds like a way to keep your business from getting paid for any work until he has his day in court.”
“Yes. There’s nothing here that can stick legally. He’s doing what I thought he might. Throwing a monkey wrench into my plans and causing me as much pain as possible.” And that was a relief on the one hand since it was a nothing burger. Except Carson had a way of getting what he wanted within the corrupt little circle of politics here in Cypress Bayou.
Carly paced and frowned. “Is there a way to beat him at his own game?”
“Do you have a plan?”
“No. But maybe there’s a way to shame him into withdrawing the suit. It’s such a childish thing to do. Is there anyone we could tell about this that would embarrass him? Someone he wouldn’t want to know?”
“Carson doesn’t shame easily.”
“No, I’m certain of that. But can we threaten to discredit him for doing this? This is childish and obvious. He thinks he’s got some big-shot reputation. Doesn’t he sit on a couple boards around town?”
“Why, yes he does. Carly, you are devious. And brilliant.”
She took a mock bow. “I’ve been called both before. What are you thinking?”
“There’s a fundraiser coming up for the Rotary Club. It’s all about promoting goodwill and integrity. It’s also mission-oriented toward supporting new businesses. If it were to come to the attention of the governing board that Carson was actively undermining his own son’s fledgling law practice, it wouldn’t shine a positive light on him.”
She grinned at him. It was somewhat cunning. “Whoa, I see where you’re going with this, and I like it.”
Tanner tapped his pen on the notepad that was beside him. “Threatening him with exposure in the Rotary Club is important because they are a national organization that reaches far beyond all the local BS and politics that go on in town. Carson doesn’t much care what the locals think of him, but to throw shade on his reputation and his law firm at a state level would do some real damage.”
“Iambrilliant. So, how do we do it?” Carly’s eyes held a sparkle at the idea of this most devious plan.
“First, I’ll answer the legal complaint with a letter directly to Carson, answering point by point, making him aware that I know nothing in the grievance is legitimate. That I understand he’s doing this to stall my business, and I’m waiting for him to answer whether he wants me to see the cases through that I’m already involved with for his clients. I’ll also copy Judge Keller on that email, so the judge understands how all this has really gone down.”
“I like that idea. The judge doesn’t want to fall on the wrong side of things. He’s an elected official. Then?”
But Tanner was concerned about how close Carson and Judge Keller were and how they manipulated people with Keller’s judiciary power. “Then, I’ll fill out an official Rotary Club complaint form listing exactly the ways Carson is prohibiting my business from operating. And I’ll include that he’s threatened to do everything in his power to ruin me, and that I’ve got a witness to his threats. I’ll also include that we never had a signed contract of employment terms.”
“Sounds like he knows it won’t work, but it’s something he can do to cause you pain and retaliate for you leaving.”
“Classic Carson, but I’ll have all the documents to support my claims. I won’t file the complaint yet but show it all to Carson and strongly suggest he drops the suit immediately.”
Carly nodded. “That might work. But keep in mind how angry you’re going to make him.”
