Page 114 of Gold Rush

As soon as I speak, Lloyd’s gaze travels slowly from Jay to me.

“I’ve hired some of the best firms in this city, Mr. Parks.”

“And subsequently fired them. Because they had treated this company like a business.”

His eyebrows lift, along with the corners of his mouth. “Is it not one?”

“No. It’s not. It’s your legacy. It’s your family. It’s forty years of competitors underestimating you and clients trusting you. Any competent attorney can handle regulatory matters, securities work, and international deals for you. Plenty have, and you’ve found fault with all of them. Because, frankly, I don’t think that’s what you’re looking for. Your profits last year alone were nine figures. Lawyers are trained to look for loopholes, especially for a client worth fifty to a hundred million in legal fees. But you’re a builder, Lloyd. You want a firm foundation. You care about the work you do, not how much you get paid to do it. No one will ever care as much about this company as you do. You’re looking for representation that shares a similar mindset. That cares about more than the bottom line.”

Lloyd says nothing. He stares at me for so long that I’m tempted to break eye contact so I can check a clock to see how many minutes we’ve been sitting here.

“How long have you been a lawyer, Flynn?”

“Technically, I’m not a licensed one yet. July bar results don’t release until next month.”

Lloyd nods, then looks at Jay. “Do you share your colleague’s assessment, Mr. Lewis?”

Jay hesitates. I doubt mine was the professional, detailed pitch he would have made, and he’s having to make a hasty determination if he should stick to it or provide Lloyd with an alternative assessment. If Lloyd hated everything I had to say, he has a chance to salvage this and still get the client.

“I think you have no shortage of law firms asking for your business and that you’re the only one who knows exactly what you’re looking for. I will add, since I’ve been at the firm for longer, that we have a number of high-profile, long-term clients who have been more than satisfied with our representation. Our size allows us to personalize our approach and ensure every member of each team is dedicated to any case they’re a part of. As Flynn said, any lawyer can review a contract for you. A lawyer at our firm can tell you what the other side will argue before they share it, where the regulators will focus, and how to structure a deal so you leave the room with leverage instead of liability. Every decision you make affects your entire company. Our role is to remove uncertainty so you can focus on running the company.”

“I’m afraid I’m the strange breed who isn’t afraid of uncertainty, Mr. Lewis. For example, I decided a couple of hours ago that I would hire a firm I’d met with this morning. I kept my afternoon schedule as a courtesy, and because—as your associate Mr. Parks pointed out—I tend to run through lawyers rather quickly. It’s never a bad idea to have backups.”

“I see,” Jay states.

“No, I don’t think you do. Because I was decided, and then Mr. Parks changed my mind.”

I freeze, shock trickling through me.

Lloyd closes the open notebook on the table. He didn’t take a single note while Jay or I was talking. “You’re hired.” He picks up a pen, pointing it at me. “And as soon as Mr. Parks passes the bar, I’d like him to be instated as the lead attorney on all matters concerning my company. Is that clear?”

“Of course,” Jay says quickly. He’s doing a better job at hiding it, but he must be as stunned as I am.

“Good.” Lloyd stands.

Jay quickly climbs to his feet as well. I follow suit a second later, still processing what just took place.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Lewis.” Lloyd shakes Jay’s hand, then turns to me. “I look forward to working with you, Mr. Parks.”

“Flynn,” I correct, gripping his palm.

“Some aspects of business are always personal, Flynn. Most people take a long time to learn that lesson, if they ever do.”

I nod.

He nods back, then heads for one of the corner offices.

Jay and I walk toward the elevators. Jay is silent, and I am too.

I landed a client. A major client.

Once we’re inside the elevator, I speak. “That went well.”

“Well? That was you jumping on the partner track. Outstanding work, Flynn. I never would have thought to frame it like that, and it was exactly the right approach.”

“I was inspired by a … friend,” I say since my fake girlfriend’s father doesn’t play well in any context, let alone a professional one.

“And that is why I love overseeing first-year associates. You think outside the box. Most of you don’t have huge egos yet and are willing to take some risks. I can’t teach that creativity, just the firm policies.”