An Extraordinary Lawyer’s Subspace - Chapter 181



Only Noblemtl

【Episode 181 – Kim & Kang’s Lucky Bag】

“The protesters, who had been a few dock workers, quickly grew to dozens. Feeling threatened, the British soldiers raised their loaded muskets and aimed them at the crowd. But that was like lighting a fuse for a bomb. The protesters became even more angry, and eventually shots were fired. The result was five civilians dead. King Street was covered in blood.”

Legal ethics lecture time,

Professor Sandra Chang explains the momentous events in American history.

It was a lecture about the importance of pro bono (public interest activities by lawyers).

“The aftermath was severe. The anger of the dock workers now began to spread to all of Boston’s citizens. People who had seen blood poured into the streets and called for justice.”

This incident is the Boston Massacre, which can be called the spark that started the American Revolutionary War, the Boston Tea Party.

“As the citizens’ anger showed no sign of abating, the colonial governor calmed them down by promising to bring the soldiers who had fired shots to a fair trial. This had some effect. However, the problem was how to conduct a fair trial.”

The judges of the military tribunal were British, and if even the lawyers to represent the soldiers were British, it was obvious that the citizens of Boston would rise up again.

However, no American lawyer came forward to defend them.

The attention of all Boston citizens is focused on this situation. At the same time, the emotions of both sides are sharply divided, and it is a tense situation.

In such a situation, who would step forward to represent British soldiers who had no money?

“The person who bravely stepped forward to defend the British soldiers pro bono at that time was your proud predecessor and the second President of the United States, John Adams.”

John Adams, ‘America’s Founding Father’.

He served as the first Vice President of the United States and was later elected as the second President. He was a politician during the British colonial period and the early days of the United States, and was a lawyer who graduated from Harvard University.

Despite being a strong critic of the British government’s colonial taxation policies before American independence, he sat in the defense bench for British soldiers on a pro bono basis to ensure a fair trial.

Proved the innocence of the British soldiers.

“Lawyers have special ‘duties’ that other professions don’t have. Do you know what they are?”

“It’s ‘pro bono.’”

“Thank you, John. That’s right. As John said, we lawyers have a duty to use our knowledge and authority for the public good.”

“Pro Bono Publico

Pro Bono Publico

“For the public good”

Of course, other professions also encourage public service activities.

However, the public interest activities required of lawyers can be seen as an ‘obligation’ rather than a mere recommendation.

For example, attorneys registered with the American Bar Association are required to handle at least 50 hours of pro bono cases per year.

In Korea it’s 30 hours.

Realistically, there are very few cases that can be solved in 30 to 50 hours.

It is true that its meaning has been greatly diminished, as it can be replaced by other activities such as training or seminars.

“That said, I don’t think we should forget the noble reasons our predecessors took on such a duty. So, wouldn’t it be good for you, who will become great lawyers in the future, to work hard on pro bono work? Oh, and don’t forget that to become a New York State bar, you must complete fifty hours of pro bono service. If you’re looking for a pro bono case, come to me. There are always plenty of clients waiting for your help. You all know where my office is, right?”

After the lecture, Beomsang went to Professor Sandra Chang’s office.

-*-

New York, Manhattan,

11th floor, 1300 Avenue of America.

Kim & Kang’s New York office.

Jaemin is talking on the phone with Dodaegi in Korea, looking out at the trees of Central Park between the buildings.

“What? Attorney Kim Seon-yeong said she wouldn’t come to this office? Why?”

Several of the lawyers in the Korean office who had decided to come to the U.S. have changed their minds.

-I heard you’re getting married.

“Tell her to get married and come with her husband.”

-The groom is a partner at Atlantic Law Firm.

“There was no such thing until the end of last year. What, you’re getting married in just a few months…”

-And I heard it was unveiled at the end of last year.

I have nothing more to say.

That’s what relationships between men and women are like.

Even in three months, an unplanned wedding may be arranged.

-And when it comes to going to Asso, they are having a hard time making decisions.

“Ah- why again! When you come, I will tell you that I will make you pretty. There is a lot of work here. Aramco, Alphabit, etc., etc.!”

-I think we’ll have to make do with the existing personnel for the time being. Or, we can just pick from there.

“That’s not easy, so I’m asking you to do it. What about Byun Park? Is Attorney Park Min-gyu coming to LA?”

-Yeah, Park Byun will go.

That’s a relief.

-If it’s difficult to hire immediately, at least accept law school interns.

“By the way, Kim & Kang is Kim & Kang in Korea, but here it’s just a nameless office. They either accept applications or reject them.”

– Go around to schools to promote it. Open a wine and cheese shop too.

“Hey, honey. We opened in September of last year. How can we afford to open a wine and cheese place? We’re busy dealing with cases.”

-Then what can we do? We have to hold on to those who are there. We have to become famous quickly.

“You’re going to keep talking like it’s someone else’s business! Stop it, and go over there and try to seduce some Aso. You say America is good.”

-That’s right. But even the people who are interested seem to prefer LA over New York.

“Haa- really- America is New York. Isn’t it that they’re not doing a good job of promoting the city?”

-Then, come in and do it yourself.

I’ve had some big cases and I’ve even found a pretty nice office…

It’s not easy to find people.

I will need to recruit here in New York later, but until then, I need assistance from the Korean office.

“Okay. I’ll be in soon, so if you want, make room for me.”

-Do I have to make a seat for you?

“If you want to seduce uninterested people, you have to buy them drinks or meat and feed them.”

-These days, that kind of thing doesn’t work for Asos. They say they’ll raise your salary or something.

The salary is already higher than that of the Korean office.

The problem is that rent and prices in New York are higher than in Seoul, so it just feels smaller.

“This is really not helpful. I need to instill the romance of New York. Talking about money is…”

-I’m going to tell you the most realistic approach.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go out and talk.”

Click.

Jaemin hung up the phone.

The New York office currently only has one locally hired lawyer and Jaemin Choi.

Beomsang and Hayoung are supporting each other as they come and go from Boston.

So far, thanks to the two of them, it’s been running smoothly, but we need to replenish it as soon as possible.

So I got a big and nice office…

dripping-

“yes.”

It may be a little late, but I was thinking about whether I should hold a wine and cheese event at New York University and Columbia Law School.

“Hey, Attorney Han, what’s up? Don’t you have a meeting in Manhattan today? Or did you?”

A regular guy who should be in Boston knocked and came in.

“I came here to consult with you about something.”

“To me?”

“Yes. I thought it would be better to tell you in person rather than over the phone.”

“That’s why you came? Don’t be so greedy. Come on, sit down for now.”

‘You drove four hours to come and talk to me in person…’

Choi Jae-min, who had no idea about the ordinary ‘New York Sanctum’, was impressed.

I got out of the desk and went to the sofa where Beomsang was sitting.

“I’d like to take on some pro bono work.”

“Huh? Pro bono?”

“Yes. To become a New York State bar member, you must take on at least fifty hours of pro bono cases.”

“Was it like that?”

“yes.”

Choi Jae-min tries to recall his memories.

There was no such requirement when he was admitted to the New York State bar.

This requirement was created in 2015.

“That’s what happened… You must be busy. You have to write a thesis and take care of a case… But, how can’t the cases that Han Byun is currently working on be replaced with pro bono cases? It may be formal, but it’s not like you’re directly receiving money for it.”

It wasn’t said with any other meaning.

I just thought it would be difficult for an ordinary person who already has a lot of work to do pro bono cases just to meet the requirements.

However, the ordinary person in front of my eyes came to me with different thoughts.

“That seems difficult. It doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.”

“Well… so? Are you here to ask me to free up some time from your schedule? If one side asks for it, then so be it. It’s not something else, but it’s a requirement for being admitted to the New York State Bar.”

In the current situation, if Beom-sang asks for less work, Choi Jae-min will die(?).

The New York office is paralyzed.

However, I couldn’t refuse such an ordinary request that came from far away.

Although his heart was heavy, Jaemin pretended to listen willingly.

But, fortunately···

“No, that’s not it.”

“no?”

The expression on his face, which was about to turn into a grimace, suddenly brightens.

“I was wondering if it would be a good idea to take on formal pro bono work under the Kim & Kang title.”

Huh? With the Kim & Kang title at stake?

“The law ethics professor is also in charge of managing the school’s pro bono center, and when I asked him about it, he said that I could take on cases by linking up with his office. So, I thought that maybe it would be a good idea to let our office know a little bit about it and take on pro bono cases through the New York office.”

‘What? Maybe I should introduce the office a bit?’

Have you ever seen such a lucky charm!

That’s why Han Beom-sang is Choi Jae-min’s ‘favorite assistant’.

No, now it’s ‘my favorite partner’.

“Wouldn’t it be hard? There are already so many cases being handled···.”

“it’s okay.”

Choi Jae-min looked at Beom-sang with loving eyes.

I can’t help but love you.

I ask in a voice as worried as possible, trying my best to control the corners of my lips that keep twitching.

“If you’re going to change it, it’s me···.”

Okay.

“I want to.”

If another lawyer had said they would do it, I probably would have been worried.

I’m busy, but I feel like I’m doing too much.

However, it is a common occurrence.

“Then, I should do it. Yeah, I should do it.”

“Thank you.”

I am the one who should be thankful.

“Oh, but when is the New York State Bar Exam? Was it in July? I’ll be busy then, so I’d better get my fifty hours in before then. Right?”

“It’s July. I’ve already seen it.”

“Huh? Did you see it?”

“Yes, in February. Before going to Daran.”

Didn’t I tell you?

My name is Han Beom-sang.

The Case That Will Make Kim & Kang the ‘Law Firm of the Year’

New York office,

Claims Review Legal Team.

“I think this case was one where insurance money should have been paid out.”

“What is it?”

“One hundred thirty thousand dollars. Parks Clean Laundry. The claimant’s name is Jaehong Park.”

“Really? Give it to me.”

Recently refiled claims.

Joshua Morris, an attorney with the legal team, reviewed the claim papers handed to him by his colleague Shawn Johnson.

The accident was a flooding incident that occurred three years ago.

“hmm···.”

“Isn’t that so?”

Yes, it wasn’t a flawless claim, but if it went to court, it wouldn’t be easy.

“You’ve already closed the file and haven’t even set up a claim reserve.”

Claim reserve refers to the amount of money an insurance company sets aside that it has the potential to pay out in relation to a given claim.

Usually, when a claim is received, the maximum payment amount under the insurance is set aside as a reserve.

After reviewing the merits and demerits of the claim, if it is a payable amount, the case is settled by paying it, and if not, the reserve amount is reduced or cancelled.

If you haven’t taken a reserve or cancelled one you had, it means that you have internally decided not to pay.

The claim from Parks Clean Laundry was a case where a reserve that was held was cancelled.

In fact, it was a case that was concluded internally because it was judged to have no merit.

“Oh, Joshua, I see your name is among the reviewers.”

“You have my name?”