Limiting Liabilities: Book Two - The Martinique Files

by Colette Alaine

  “He kind of mentioned it to me but not with any details,” Tawny informs her.

  “Well, at the time he was finalizing everything with Brandon, and I found this out later but Brandon got your resume and almost called off the deal because he thought something was going on here.” Rebecca’s thumping is becoming a bit maddening. Tawny never noticed her doing this before. It must be a nervous tick or something. Plus, Tawny knows everyone has wind of her job search. “He didn’t want to walk into a mess and if a sophomore attorney, who just got to work the biggest environmental case out there, was leaving, he was pretty sure it was a personality conflict. Billy’s tirades are well-known and so is his dislike for female attorneys.”

  “So sending out my resume almost cost Billy Brandon.” Tawny soaks in the news. It must have been a nightmare for Billy. “Wow. No wonder he was upset.”

  Rebecca suddenly stops thumping and turns toward Tawny. “Yes, and if Billy lost you he would’ve probably lost control of the department. You really have him wrapped around your finger and he hates it.” Rebecca, on the other hand, seems to be loving this revelation.

  “I bet. I’m not really comfortable with knowing it though.” Despite her manager’s glee, Tawny does not share the same sentiment. “Billy’s helped me a lot in the short time I’ve been practicing law and I would never want to see him lose his position because of me.”

  “Billy needs to be put in his place.” The tapping starts again. “He’ll never lose what he truly wants because he’s so valuable to the firm but they could talk him into letting someone else manage the department. I personally think if he let go of some of the control he’d actually like it better. His arrogance gets in the way of his common sense sometimes.”

  “So what’s going on now?” Tawny does not disagree with Rebecca’s observation but feels the less damaging comments she makes about her department head, the better.

  “I don’t exactly know,” Rebecca hesitates long enough to tell Tawny that she actually knows more than she is saying. A minute longer of silence confirms her suspicion as Rebecca decides to open up. “Rumor is Billy’s agreed to bring on three more experienced attorneys. He wants them to all be associates but management is saying at least two more need to be partners. Junior partners but still shareholders in the firm.”

  “In addition to Brandon?” Tawny asks and Rebecca nods. “So there’d be five partners and four associates?”

  “Seven associates if they hire all three clerks but probably more because I think they’re hoping that the two other partners and Brandon will bring over an associate or two. Nick will be a partner soon and Mark most likely next year or the year after. Seven partners and twelve to fifteen associates. I’ve heard they want the department to be at least twenty strong with attorneys,” Rebecca reveals what secrets she knows.

  Tawny cannot believe what she is hearing. It is amazing how quiet Billy kept this development. “Wow. This is big news. I guess we’ll get more support help, too.”

  “That would be a huge bonus. Just getting another secretary besides Linda would be worth it,” Rebecca shares her disdain for Billy’s choice of legal secretary.

  “You sound like you want this to all happen,” Tawny says the statement while inferring a question.

  “I do.” Rebecca nods her head as she speaks. “I need more people around me than just Billy. He won’t notice me as much and I can just do my job and not be the only other partner. I’ve been waiting for Nick to get promoted. It will help but it’ll still be the same group so yes, the more the better for me.”

  “Do you think we’ll be the only two females?” Tawny’s question is real but Rebecca bursts out with laughter.

  “You never know with Billy Solomon. That’s all I’m gonna say.” Rebecca holds her tongue.

  Tawny ponders the information. “I’m not sure if it would be good or bad.”

  “You can be sure all the support help will be female.”

  “They don’t count them in the surveys,” Tawny reminds her.

  Rebecca’s hands have finally calmed down or she has realized she is hitting her steering wheel so hard it is going to leave marks. “This will be somewhat gradual. They’ll let Brandon get up and going with the three clerks and then start to bring on another partner or two mid to late summer, I’m guessing.” Rebecca has obviously been thinking about the changes quite a bit.

  “I think it will be good for me, too. I’ll get to work for other attorneys besides you and Billy. Billy probably won’t let me near his cases then,” Tawny surmises.

  “You’ll do well working for other litigators but I hope you’ll still be my primary associate.” Rebecca’s inflection in the statement makes Tawny feel like she has to assure the woman of her loyalty.

  “Sure, but you know I want to do more than just bank settlements,” Tawny reminds her of her core goal.

  “I know.” Rebecca sighs and Tawny feels like she has just insulted her manager. “You’ll get lots more experience with the others.” An awkward silence follows and it is clear to Tawny that Rebecca is struggling to say something. A minute later, she learns why. “To finish this conversation and get some lunch, I was put on leave to decide if I wanted to play like a team member and remain with the firm or to find an alternative opportunity where I could do as I please. I love my job and in the weirdest way, I wouldn’t want to leave Billy. He brings so much to the table workwise. I think I’d miss it,” she confesses.

  Tawny quickly responds to end the conversation but also wants to put in a word about where her passion really lies. “I sort’ve feel the same way but I have to be able to work on bigger cases.”

  “Don’t worry. Billy’s been told to do right by you and he will. Not only because of the whole management thing but he still likes you. He tries to hide it but it’s still there.” Tawny scoffs at Rebecca’s words. “And you know it. So stop pretending you don’t.”

  “Hmm, at least I see you chose to play by the rules.” Tawny now returns to Rebecca’s uncomfortable subject.

  “Yes, and if I can keep up with what they are, I plan to be the best rule follower ever known at Bartoletti, Simon and Fraid.”

  Tawny moves her hand to touch Rebecca’s arm lightly. “I’m glad you’re staying, if it matters.”

  “It does matter to me. It matters a lot.” Her chest heaves as she breathes in and out deeply. “Thank you. Facing everyone is so humiliating but since it was Billy who came after me I think I’m getting some sympathy.”

  “This was really hard on you, wasn’t it Rebecca?”

  Burying her face in her hands almost five minutes pass before Rebecca speaks. “I lost fifteen pounds in two weeks. I just couldn’t eat. I was more scared than angry. I probably shouldn’t be sharing all this with you Tawny, but you understand what it’s like working for him and the others don’t. You don’t gossip, which used to bother me but now I really appreciate it.” Rebecca needs a friend who understands what it is like working with Billy and the others in their department.

  “You know I learned a long time ago that if you talk badly about others behind their backs it usually comes back on you in time. Besides, I’m not really interested in the mundane badness of other people. They have to answer for what they do and why should I get caught in the mire of their lies and gossip?” Tawny never sees any good come from gossiping about others.

  “I’ll have to remember that when I open my mouth next time to share the latest tidbit on someone. I’ve been guilty of saying too much and sometimes it’s not even true. You’d think with the egg on my face I would’ve stopped. But this latest humiliation has set me straight.” Rebecca is determined to be the model attorney partner. “I’m coming to work, doing my job and leaving without joining in the idle chit chat.”

  “Good idea. You’re looking great and you should find some interests outside the office that keep you busy. It’s early spring and you have all of it and the summer to enjoy the outdoors,” Tawny encourages her.

  Rebecca finally pu
ts the car in reverse and backs out of the parking space. “You’re absolutely right. I plan to continue losing this weight. I’m on a roll now and I finally know how to eat correctly. I’ve never been much of a sports person but maybe I can find something that isn’t too taxing that I enjoy. Any ideas?”

  Tawny thinks a minute about what Rebecca could do. She is still pretty big despite her weight loss and even though she exercises, intensive sports would probably be too much for her. “Golf might be a good place to start. You’re outside but it doesn’t look too strenuous. Or riding a bike or walking, hiking, those kind of things,” Tawny offers her advice.

  “Those are great ideas. I’m gonna check into the golf thing; maybe buy a bike.”

  “Ms. Martinique, this is Frederick Rimes at Best, Myers and Duke. I received your resume a few weeks ago.”

  “Yes. I wasn’t getting much work and I decided my talents could be used elsewhere.” Tawny gets the call as she is walking in the door to her apartment. Of those where she sent her resume, this is the first firm to call her.

  “You’re the same Tawny Martinique involved in the HenKov dumping last year, right?” Mr. Rimes wants to make sure he is talking to the young girl with the big case.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Sending your resume out after working a case like that has to mean problems at the firm. No one leaves a job when they’re getting that kind of exposure.” He does not mince words.

  “Everything went really well with that case but I wasn’t supposed to be the associate working it. What’s happened since last year is that I’ve gotten stuck working little cases that settle. Maybe I got spoiled but I want to do more and I’m not sure that’s going to happen any time soon.” Tawny tells what she can without revealing too much of what is going on at her law firm.

  “I won’t say anything derogatory about the partners in your firm or any other but there are a lot of rumors about the environmental department at Bartoletti, Simon and Fraid. We wouldn’t normally be so interested in a second year associate but Billy Solomon did publically praise your work and to be honest, he never gives another attorney any credit. And he’s good. We all know it but I can understand your situation because the man does have a reputation.” Now Rimes is just fishing.

  Tawny’s ready with her reply. “Billy’s been good to me. He just has two senior associates who he’s worked with for years and they are his primary go-to guys; rightfully so. It’s just that the situation limits me.” Tawny has the perfect answer.

  “I totally get it, Tawny. Well, we’d like to talk to you about coming over to our firm. I can’t promise the mega cases that Billy brings in but I can guarantee you’ll work on more than just settling bank cases.” Obviously, Frederick Rimes knows Rebecca’s work, too.

  “That’s wonderful. I would love to talk to you.” Tawny accepts the interview but is a little scared. In a weird way she is finding out what a great job she already has. She gets to work with Billy Solomon. As a second year associate, it is rare for a senior partner of another firm to actually call for the interview. That task is usually reserved for a lateral move and mostly for partners, maybe a senior associate just about to make partner but never a junior associate.

  Scheduling the interview for later in the day on Thursday, Tawny ends the call and wonders if she is doing the right thing. Billy already knows she sent out the resumes. He should not be surprised if she gets a call or two. Although he mentioned that it would be an issue if she left, he has not done much to protect her from leaving. He does not know what Rebecca told her about his trouble with management so she does not have much to go on from him.

  Knowing that the firm will be adding so many attorneys to her department will only push her down. The new partners will bring in their own associates, leaving her more vulnerable than ever. Billy is not showing any interest in using her much in the future. This may be her moment in time when she can choose where she wants to work and make demands regarding her cases. Sure, she is extremely young but she can use her limited experience to set herself up for her career.

  Dropping onto the sofa in the apartment she shares with Jaclyn, she ponders her current position at the firm and what could be offered to her. If only Billy would rise to the occasion. She does not want to leave. She has to admit that to herself but with all these new attorneys joining the firm, where will she fit? Which partner is going to work with her? Will they steer clear of her because they have their own associates? Will Billy encourage the others to use her or will he periodically placate her with some good work? Or will he leave her to disappear under Rebecca’s mentorship?

  Tawny has so many questions and she so wants to ask Billy what he is thinking. But how to approach him? She cannot tell him she is interviewing. He will probably find out. He already knows about the resumes and found out about them in no time flat. Oh, it’s so confusing! She so wishes she had someone who understands.

  Her family is no help. They are farmers and they still cannot figure out why she went to law school much less why she decided to practice in Chicago. Jaclyn is in a different world. Jewels are her specialty. It only leaves her classmates and they’re in the same situation she’s in. They wouldn’t be able to give her proper guidance.

  She could ask her career counselor at the law school. It has only been two years since she graduated. But Kim wouldn’t know. She’s never practiced law. She only guides students into their first jobs. The professors haven’t worked for major law firms. They would think she was arrogant to try and make a move from one large firm to another based upon one case. What a dilemma. It is just not an easy answer but it is a very big question.

  Slumped on the sofa, she tries to make sense of it all until Jaclyn bursts through the door. Cradling her cell phone to her ear with her right shoulder she carries a huge purse loaded with everything possible in her left hand while holding her keys and the mail in her right hand. Seeing Tawny, she motions for her to help.

  Tawny takes the purse and the mail so Jaclyn can finish her conversation. A minute later she ends the call. “That was Eric. He wants us to go to the game with him and Jay Friday night. Any interest?” Jaclyn drops on the sofa where Tawny previously sat.

  Tawny plops Jaclyn’s over-weighted purse next to her on the floor. “Those two guys are kind of strange, don’t cha think? I mean they only ask us to go places together and we don’t hear from them for months at a time.”

  “Yeah, but we always have fun with them.” Tawny can tell Jaclyn really wants to go with them. Eric is the one guy that seems to keep coming back. He appears to be interested but is tentative about any type of commitment.

  Tawny is not really too impressed with Jay but realizes that he seems to go along with Eric to give him an excuse to leave if he wants. They almost act like girls and she finds it kind of funny. Jay is Eric’s wingman and is there to rescue him if needed. Eric is overly cautious for a guy but who knows, maybe he’s been burned before.

  While engaged in the conversation with her roommate, Tawny flips through the mail and has three letters from law firms receiving her resume. She hands Jaclyn her own mail and then starts to open the first letter from Monson and Swanson. They are interested in interviewing her and ask her to call and set up a time. The other two letters are nice rejections so she does not bother much with them.

  “What are those?” Jaclyn realizes she lost Tawny’s attention.

  “These two are rejection letters and this one wants to interview me. When I got home the phone was ringing and I spoke to the senior partner at another firm that wants to interview me. That’s two out of four so far and I have two more still out there.”

  Jaclyn’s eyes light up. “Are you really going to leave your job?”

  “I don’t know.” Slouching into the plump sofa pillows, Tawny rests her head against them. “Part of me thinks it’s a good idea and the other part thinks it’s stupid. I can argue it both ways.” She shrugs. “It won’t hurt to talk to another firm. I’m gonna interview and see if they of
fer me a job. They could just want to know more about what’s going on at my firm. Actually what Billy’s doing and why I’d leave the most prestigious environmental attorney in the city and one of the best in the country.” Tawny still cannot figure out the best course of action for herself. She is in such a predicament and there is not any clear answer.

  “I wouldn’t leave Billy Solomon. I’m not saying that because he’s hot and still likes you. Don’t roll your eyes. You know it.” Jaclyn is not one to beat around the bush but her bluntness is well-taken and Tawny appreciates her caring enough to discuss the mess.

  “Whatever.”

  “Look at it this way, Tawny. Billy hates working with female attorneys but he had to work with you and the case turned out great. Every female attorney wants what you’ve got right now. If you leave, no way will they hire another female to work with Billy. That kind of gives him the win, if you know what I mean. Don’t give him that satisfaction.” Jaclyn comes up with a new angle Tawny never considered.

  “I never thought about it that way but you’re right. I have made a giant step that probably won’t be repeated anytime soon. Hmmm.” This is really something to consider. “You know if I think about it that way, it gives me more clout.”

  Jaclyn’s interest is waning. “Yeah, I guess.” She flips through her own mail.

  “See I was afraid that if I stuck around and they hired all these new attorneys I’d get pushed to the bottom and only get the crappy cases. If they hire any other females, those women won’t get to work with Billy.” Tawny waves her interview letter in front of her face. “Billy needs to work with at least one female in order to keep the management committee off his back and let him run the department his way. This is interesting.”

  “Would they fire Billy?” Jaclyn asks while opening up an envelope.

  “I can’t imagine that ever happening. He’s the best and his clients are huge, which means big money for the firm,” Tawny explains as she contemplates her latest revelation.