Top 10 Lawyer Profiles in Films 1
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Thursday, May 17, 2018 / Volume 110 / Number 96 / $2.00 • Western New York’s trusted source for legal and real estate news Lawyers in Film Top 10 lawyer profiles in films 1. The gold standard for lawyers is the por- seeing his client in a veg- lawyer who does not make unnecessary mo- trayal of Atticus Finch by Gregory Peck in the etative state, and through tions and who knows the uncertainties of trials. movie “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Ethical, skilled, a mixture of seeking jus- He correctly predicts the outcome of certain empathetic, courageous, balanced and yet very tice for her, attempting to motions and, nonetheless, makes a reasonable human, he’s able to balance the demands of the gain his own self-respect offer to resolve the case, which his opponent profession with being a patient single father. and not being “beaten by turns down without consulting his client. The reputation of Atticus Finch is somewhat the system.” 7. Tom Cruise, as Mitch McDeere in “The tarnished by the later release of the “sequel” 4. Jon Voight as Leo Firm,” represents, at least initially, what ev- novel “Go Set a Watchman.” Yet he still stands Drummond in “The ery ambitious college student dreams as the alone as representing the ideals of lawyers in Rainmaker” and James ultimate reward of applying to and getting By MARK J. society. MORETTI Mason as Ed Concannon through law school — a high-paying job in a 2. Reese Witherspoon plays Elle Woods in Daily Record in “The Verdict” por- demanding career and an attractive spouse. It, “Legally Blonde,” a funny and tongue-in-cheek Columnist tray corporate defense of course, turns out that all is not as it seems comedy, but still somewhat demeaning to the se- lawyers as villains sur- and starts a pattern of John Grisham’s grim rious aspirations of female law students. (No one rounded by a large cadre portrayal of life at larger firms with the young I know went to law school just to be with their of young associates willing to obey them and lawyer literally sailing off into the sunset hav- boyfriend). Nevertheless, she offers valuable do injustice. In reality few, if any, corporate ing “beaten the system.” lessons of how to carve out your own niche, be clients are willing to pay for a large cadre of 8. A great comedy, “My Cousin Vinny” was yourself, and draw from your own experience lawyers (given today’s billing rates) who are also insightful on the practice of law. In the fi- (such as her experience with perms saving the simply “learning the trade.” Most corporate nal analysis, Joe Pesci as Vinny Gambini is an day on cross-examination). It’s also a nice com- defense lawyers I know try to guide their cli- inquisitive mind, a great problem solver, a hard mentary on the subtle and not-so-subtle sex ents into making good and just decisions for worker with a flair for the dramatic and a great discrimination and harassment some female their clients and as officers of the court. instinctive lawyer. His misrepresentation to the attorneys experience in the workplace. Final- 5. John Travolta, as Jan Schlichtmann in judge, however, gave him good reason to leave ly, a great note on the value and importance of “A Civil Action,” represents the dark side of early after his victory, and one wonders whether female mentors as depicted by the confidence litigation by some plaintiffs’ personal injury he might end up at an ethics review board some- her Contracts professor instilled in her — ul- lawyers — the combination of ego, capital re- day. It would be a very unfunny sequel. timately leading to her graduating at the top of quirements, showmanship, gambling spirit and 9. Matthew McConaughey in “A Time to her class. only limited genuine concern for their victim Kill” as Jake Brigance and Jimmy Stewart in 3. “The Verdict” is initially a sad commen- clients, which may drive some plaintiff law- “Anatomy of a Murder” as Paul Biegler are tary, featuring Paul Newman as Frank Galvin, yers. Failure to transmit a settlement proposal the prototype small-town solo defense practi- on a plaintiff’s alcoholic personal injury law- to your clients (even if you are going to rec- tioners as hero lawyers who tenaciously battle yer, who pays a few bucks to funeral home ommend against it) is not only unethical, but the government in what appears to be a stacked directors to introduce him to the families of turned out to be a bad business decision. That deck but, nonetheless, come out on top. accident victims so he might snag a personal contrasts sharply with the Rudy Baylor char- 10. Raul Julia as Harrison Ford’s defense injury case (a couple of steps down even from acter played by Matt Damon in “The Rain- lawyer, Alejandro (“Sandy”) Stern, in “Pre- ambulance chasing). After taking on a medical maker”, who is idealistic and committed to his sumed Innocent” and Tyler Perry as Tanner Bolt malpractice case, he ultimately achieves his client to the end. in “Gone Girl” play savvy, smooth, street-smart own personal redemption by rejecting a set- 6. Robert Duvall, as Jerry Facher in “A Civ- tlement offer and taking the case to trial after il Action,” is the crafty old insurance defense Continued on next page Reprinted with permission of The Daily Record © 2017 Thursday, May 17, 2018 / The Daily Record Continued from previous page — a great illustration of how lawyers can make practice in business and tort litigation and is the criminal defense lawyers tasked with defending lousy clients and why a lawyer who represents immediate past president of the Monroe County innocent men with lots of evidence and public himself has a fool for a client. Bar Association and the former chairman of the opinion stacked against them. Raul Julia under- Trial Section of the New York State Bar Associ- takes the additional hurdle of having to defend a Mark J. Moretti is a partner with the Roch- ation. He can be reached at mmoretti@phillips- client who thinks he knows more than his lawyer ester office of Phillips Lytle LLP. He focuses his lytle.com or (585) 238-2004. .