He got the case referred to him by a New York firm that sometimes deals with his when they need to work on interests that involve or take place in Washington State. This qualifies - dad knocks around his kid a little, kid gets fed up even though he could have moved out months ago if he'd get off his ass and find a job instead of complaining, dad is offering a very nice hourly rate. So far so good.
His coffee maker breaks. He has instant instead, but burns his hand when he drinks it. A car alarm within earshot seems to be going off every six minutes. His car starts fine, and then strands him in the middle of the highway. His cell dies halfway through the call to AAA, and he sits there waiting for them to find him based on which highway he's on without any further details. Eventually they do, he borrows the driver's cell to call a cab, the cab takes an hour to get there, the cabbie gets lost and still charges him for the full distance driven, and finally he's at the police station in Forks - a little nowhere town - to talk to his client, but not before he trips gracelessly over the threshold and nearly breaks his nose.
Ugh.
It had better be a very nice hourly rate.
"Car trouble," Paul says shortly. "My sincerest apologies. And," wince, "the lost time isn't billable." Stupid law firm caring about its stupid reputation for stupid good-faith operations because it defends stupid criminals. Paul's developing a stomachache.
"Ah. Ah, yes, our firm's associates in New York with whom you've previously contracted recommended me to you, I believe? I believe the trial's already been scheduled, so it might behoove you to select your lawyer quickly, and I am already here. Reportedly the prosecution already has all of the evidence it wants."
"Perfect, Mr. Hammond. Now, employed as your attorney, everything you say to me falls under attorney-client privilege; I will defend you regardless of the situation at hand; and these trials are often decided on charisma and technicalities regardless, so it is never in your best interest to lie to me. That having been established, what did happen regarding the topic under discussion?"
"I know that the prosecution is making such extensive and specific allegations that their evidence packet couldn't be sent as a single e-mail attachment," Paul says. "That's very irregular for a child abuse charge. My computer broke this morning and so I won't be able to look over what the prosecution has to say until I get it repaired or replaced, but we don't want our jury to get their facts from the prosecution anyway. What's your version?"
"Not in so many words," Paul says, "no. But we may be able to sway them by painting your son as an incorrigible troublemaking delinquent, while also downplaying the severity of the disciplinary action. What do we have to work with for the troublemaking delinquency?"