"The student 'Jane' was studying at the Performing Arts Vocational School. She used long leg warmers produced by RTKD Company (Exhibit 1). During dance practice, the leg warmers covered her heels, causing her to slip and cause a heel injury on Jane's right leg.
Tendon exercise, diagnosed by the doctor (Exhibit 2) as temporary loss of movement ability, making it difficult to engage in dance career in the future..."
Ronald, who hurried back to Manhattan, browsed the case files with his personal lawyer, Miss Lindsay Dole.
"Why does this happen? Our products use large fonts and pictures, and this taboo is clearly marked on the packaging and instructions. This girl named Jane still has this problem, maybe she used it improperly, right?
"
When Ronald saw that the victim had slipped because the leg warmers covered the heels, he immediately started to complain. His factory had repeatedly warned that wearing the leg warmers to cover the heels was wrong and there was a risk of slipping and injury.
"Her real name is not Jane, because she needs to use a pseudonym because she is under sixteen years old. It doesn't matter, let's just call her Jane." The lawyer lady has gained a little weight in the past two years. She always works indoors and her skin is fairer.
"You are right. I also think RTKD should not be held responsible for this. Moreover, her injuries were mostly caused by the teacher not being responsible enough and not protecting her when she was doing difficult movements. She herself was also injured.
Continuing to practice when tired does not fulfill the due vigilance responsibility."
"So we can win?" Ronald didn't understand this and could only ask professionals.
"It's hard to say. When it comes to court, it's not about who can stand up legally, but who can arouse the jury's sympathy."
The lawyer lady looked at Ronald, then pointed to her nose and said, "And I don't have the ability to make the jury sympathetic."
"I think you are very professional, right?"
"My professional ability lies in the analysis of cases and the application of laws. But my face really does not please the jury. Bobby from our law firm is different. He is better at winning the jury's favor.
Sympathy vote.”
Ronald looked at the lawyer lady carefully and found that she was indeed blonde, expensively dressed, and full of professionalism. It was not easy for ordinary people to get close to her.
This is the same as movie casting. A particularly beautiful actress lacks the ability to communicate with the audience, making it difficult for the audience to empathize. On the contrary, actors with some flaws are more likely to become stars.
"What?" Lindsay thought there was something wrong with her face.
"No, I was distracted, let's continue."
"Where did I say? Yes... going to court is our last step. A better approach is to reach a reasonable settlement price with the plaintiff before going to court, and then sign a confidentiality agreement so that she cannot disclose it to the news media in the future.
Disclose the facts of the case.”
"How much do you estimate it will cost?" Ronald felt very pitiful when he heard that the little girl had ruptured her Achilles tendon.
"One hundred thousand dollars."
"What? Why didn't she grab it?" Ronald became angry when he heard the price. How can a little girl see an artistic future now? I'll pay some nutrition and surgery fees, which can be said to be compassionate.
, this is only one hundred thousand dollars, and little Bud only received one-tenth of his retirement pay after four years of service.
"You're right, she hired a vulture lawyer to prepare for a legal robbery." Lindsay pushed over a photo of a hook-nosed man wearing an expensive suit.
"This is Eli, the opposing lawyer, a typical vulture lawyer who relies on suing companies to obtain compensation and then shares it with the plaintiff. After the new economic policy of Datong, this kind of lawyer who did not take advance payment and made money by high shares has almost disappeared for many years.
, began to resurge again.”
"Why are they targeting me? Our company is not big?"
"You are their best hunting target. The sales volume of your leg warmer company is not high, but the profit margin is high. This shows that you generally do not have a top team of lawyers to guard the fence, but you have enough money to pay compensation.
And what they are pursuing is not simple compensation. The jury has the power to multiply the normal compensation several times and impose punitive damages to prevent similar negligent behavior in the future. If they successfully convince the jury, you
The loss may reach this amount."
Looking at the numbers on the calculator handed over by the lawyer, Ronald counted six zeros and said, "This is going to bankrupt my company."
"So let me contact the other party's lawyer first."
…
"I was so angry that he dared to question my ability to go to court and even offered a settlement price of US$500,000."
The next day, lawyer Lindsay Dole came to Ronald's apartment, put down the file, and started to pick up the cup and drink a whole cup of Coke. "Get ready to fight, this time I want Eli to make the past
Spit out all the money you make."
It was scary for the lawyer lady to get angry. Soon she said hello and Bobby Donnell, Elena, Eugene and other lawyers from the law firm came to discuss countermeasures together.
"Eli's method is very special. He is not targeting ordinary business owners, but celebrities, TV show hosts, or celebrities. Because you value reputation very much, the outrageous conditions he proposes often succeed.
If you refuse, he will launch a dark offensive in the tabloids. As long as he extracts part of the facts and then embellishes it to leave readers with room for imagination, the celebrities will probably give in."
"Then let him spread rumors, and then I will sue him as well."
"Ronald, don't be impulsive. These people are very destructive. Listen to the lawyer's thoughts first." The voice of agent Niceta came over the phone. It was Bobby's lawyer who insisted that Ronald's agent listen on the phone.
of.
"He would make up some sensational news, such as that you are a foreign spy to undermine America's values. Or you abuse drugs, or you coerce female stars and use their roles as bargaining chips to force them to submit. Marlon Brando was raped by them before
Harassed in similar ways."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "But I am different from Ma Long. I have never really done any of these bad things." Ronald was furious.
Several lawyers finally discussed a plan, using the results of previous cases to achieve a rational result expected by the other party, and negotiated with the other party again. It was mainly bargaining.
After the meeting, Bobby, the founder of the firm, held Ronald alone and said, "I trust Lindsay's ability, but she may make a mistake this time. The other party is not playing with rational expectations, but testing you to fight back."
If you try to reason with him like this, he will think you are weak and can be bullied."
"Yeah", Ronald felt the same way, some people just can't understand reason.
"In addition, there are indications that the opposing lawyer has privately contacted employees of your leg warmer factory."
"What?" Ronald was surprised, "I've been good enough to them, my salary is higher than the average, and I've built workers' apartments to rent to them. Who else wants to betray me?"
"No matter how much benefit you give them, can you stop a few people from being greedy for profit?"
"I..." Ronald felt a little suffocated. How come there are people everywhere who want to make more money?
"Ignoring for the time being what evidence the factory workers will give against you, the other party's lawyer will definitely continue to put pressure. I think you need to be prepared. Once the other party does not agree to Lindsay's second round offer, the other party will definitely
We will launch it in the media and let you see the effect."
"Is there any backup plan I can use?" Ronald stared at the other party. Since he was talking alone, he must have used some less than aboveboard means.
"Do you remember the lawyer Rudy who represented the NYPD in the Michelle Pfeiffer case and Diane's kidnapping case last time?"
"Of course, didn't he become the Deputy Attorney General of the Department of Justice?" Ronald remembered that he also donated money to the NYPD's Southern District Police Department at that time.
"He failed in the fight and was demoted to the position of chief prosecutor of the Southern District of New York. Although theoretically a demotion, this position has great power and is responsible for the prosecution of all major cases in the entire southern part of New York State, including Manhattan."
"How can I get help?" Ronald asked, staring at Bobby.
"Perhaps you still remember that he was a partner of my teacher's law firm before..."
"He is willing to help me like this, what does he need?" Ronald heard Bobby's plan and didn't know what price he should pay.
"When he just took office, he said he would crack down on organized crime in New York and insider trading on Wall Street. This was obviously to prepare for his future career in politics. He likes exposure and the goodwill of the people. But the New York TV circle doesn't like him.
, seeing him as a rule-breaker, no one is willing to interview him and cooperate with his plan."
Bobby didn't say it directly, but analyzed the situation Rudy faced.
"Let me see what I can do."
After everyone left, Ronald thought for a long time alone in the apartment. He sorted out his personal connections. Although there were many more than when he was dealing with Diane's kidnapping case, he was no longer an isolated and helpless young man.
people.
However, many relationships are still indirect. Everyone has interests, and if you want to get the resources Rudy needs, you have to pay a lot of money to get them.
Moreover, this kind of exchange of interests that is not on the table is not suitable for agents to know.
Finally, he picked up the phone and dialed the number of PBS Vice President Gerald Slater.
"Mr. Slater, I have a request and I hope you can help me."
Gerald raised his hand to ask the secretary to leave the office. He listened carefully to Ronald's appeal, and then he took out a cigar and lit it:
"Ronald, I can help you with this. We don't intend to have too much of a quarrel with Rudy, and we are preparing to agree to his request. But you have to take more care of my daughter in the film industry in the future."
"I will, Gerald."
Three days later, Gerrard found CBS New York host Pia Lindström through personal connections and conducted an exclusive interview with Rudy, the prosecutor for the Southern District of New York who had been in office for half a year."
"My mission is to protect the safety of citizens in the Southern Inspection District of New York. My goal is mainly to combat illegal drug trafficking networks and organized crime. I also want to target financial criminals on Wall Street who undermine social fairness, and corruption within the government...
"
"I won't agree to this price, five hundred thousand, not a penny less. Once we go to court, we can get one million, or even more, so let your client prepare the check." Vulture lawyer Eli said proudly
He refused Lindsay's new plan. He didn't even want to meet in person and rejected the proposal directly on the phone.
This trick has always been very effective in lawsuits against celebrities, especially those film, TV stars, and celebrities who cherish their feathers. As long as they are threatened to expose their negative news, they will obediently obey. As long as you avoid the "rats" of the gangsters behind them,
Just help "people", and those female celebrities who have connections with powerful people in politics.
"Eli Dominguez, you have been arrested for allegedly blackmailing multiple TV hosts and TV stars. You can remain silent, but everything you say..."
"Stop it, put away your tricks. I know it very well. Let me guess, who touched you this time? The young director in Hollywood? When I am released on bail, some righteous people will expose me.
of his evil deeds.”
Eli was not afraid, but rather complacent. It was true that celebrities had used their connections to arrest him before. But because there was no evidence, more scandals were exposed after he was released on bail, which in turn made his price rise even higher.
As long as these so-called stars and celebrities make up some random scandals about drug abuse and coercion of actresses, they will obey, which shows that they are not good people in the first place. Most of these casual scandals are based on the truth.
This Ronald dared to use this trick on himself, and it seemed that he was a little green. Should he offer 1 million, or 1.5 million?
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Eli’s hands were grabbed by the NYPD behind him and he was put in shiny handcuffs.
"Have you completed what you told me?" the young prosecutor asked the NYPD detective who directed the operation.
"Everything has been arranged." The detective shook his head silently, and now the bug lawyer had hit the iron plate.
"Excuse me, Eli, do you have anything to say about your alleged extortion of several celebrities?"
As soon as he left the house, Eli was surrounded by television cameras and reporters holding long microphones to ask questions.
"What are you doing? This is a violation of my rights. Even as a criminal suspect, I am innocent until convicted!"
Litigator Eli finally became nervous. He always used the media to blackmail others, but this time Ronald used his tactics against himself.
In the TV media, the reporter was reporting on his history of blackmailing several female anchors of the TV station. He also blackmailed several TV stars into paying high settlement fees because of minor disputes with neighbors.
"No one is here to convict you, go away." Two NYPD officers pushed him, and footage of Eli in handcuffs was shown on television. Even if the judge finally found him not guilty, New Yorkers would remember it.
This is the face of a bad guy who specializes in blackmailing celebrities.
"I refuse to accept it. I was framed," Eli denied desperately, trying to avoid being filmed by the camera.
"Be obedient, Eli, that's the police car over there, just walk over."
"Please, even if you bring me a hood," Eli was grabbed by both arms and had no choice but to walk the long dozens of meters and was put into a police car parked on the side of the road.
The ugly behavior along the way was captured by the television cameras.
"It's so refreshing." Several hosts on the TV station looked at the scandalous behavior of this litigant and started laughing.
"Does this kind of perp walk violate the First Amendment?" A host who regularly covers court news raised an objection.
"This is Rudy's new approach. All Wall Street and government criminals will be dealt with this way in the future." Pia Lindström knows better. The Southern District Attorney is about to start his high-profile crime nemesis.
arduous journey.
…
"This is five thousand dollars, RTKD will give you and the settlement fee. Sign here and you will not disclose the settlement agreement to any news media in the future."
The female student who wore leg warmers for dancing and did not follow the instructions to look good signed the settlement agreement. She did not expect an excessive settlement amount at the beginning, it was all prompted by the lawyer.
"In addition, my client contacted LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. After you recover from the surgery, you can continue to study at the new merged school. You can stay in the dance department, or transfer to the acting or singing major."
The victim was able to stay in school because Ronald donated a small amount of money to LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, which was about to merge with the New York Academy for the Performing Arts.
The performing arts college who refused to film "Famous" back then has now regarded the film and the TV series of the same name as stories that happened in the school.
At the inauguration ceremony of the new school next door to Lincoln Center that Ronald attended, a bronze plaque with the name "Fame" was inlaid under the bronze name plate, and below it was a line of small words, "This is the school where the world-famous story happened."
Several of the protagonists from that year, Irene Kara, were busy with TV stations and could not come to participate in the completion of the new school site. Only a few minor supporting characters from that year came, and Ronald recognized him, Antonia, and Jean...
Lucy, the black actor who Ray went to eat pizza with.
"Lucy, hello."
"Hi, Ronald. I didn't expect you to recognize me." Lucy came over and hugged him.
"How are you doing?" Ronald asked her.
"It's okay. I've found a job now as a salesperson in a department store. My dream of being an actor has gone. But I watched your break dancing and Long Wei Boy, which were really exciting."
"I'm sorry, Ronald has to leave first, we have something to do." Little Bud stepped forward to block Lucy, who still wanted to talk to Ronald.
"It's okay, Bud. This is my good friend who used to be on the set." Ronald smiled and asked Bud not to stop him, "Let's go eat the Italian pizza from before."
"Yeah, okay." Lucy was very happy that Ronald still recognized her as a friend from back then, and went with them to the pizza shop in Little Italy that Antonia often went to, and ordered a Margherita pizza.
"Are you from the Bronx, too?" Lucy chatted with Bud.
"Yes, I am actually Gene Ray's neighbor. At that time, Ronald chose him to play Famous, and I was the one who introduced him."
"Oh, I didn't expect that. Why don't you come by yourself?"
"I was not an adult at that time, so the crew didn't want me."
They both grew up in the Bronx and had a great time talking.
Everything felt like it was back to before, except that the background music changed from Donna Summer's disco to MJ's "Billy King."
"Let's go back early, Bud. We have to send Donna to report to the university tomorrow."