L.A. Law (TV Series)

Dummy Dearest (1988)

Mitchell Laurance: Richard Mathers

Quotes 

• Richard Mathers : I always felt that the beauty of the jury system was that ordinary people make the ultimate decisions, guided by their hearts, their minds, and their own humanity. Right now I don't want to talk about the elements of fraud, burdens of proof, or reasonable doubt or any of that. I just want to tell you who I am. My whole life, I never wanted to be anything but a lawyer. By the time I was a teenager. I could recite the courtroom speeches from every loyal movie I had ever seen. Inherit The Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, Town Without Pity - I knew all of them. I went to law school for a year at night. When I lost my scholarship, I dropped out. I drove a cab, I taught high school, I sold office furniture. But the whole time, I read and I work at teaching myself how to be a lawyer. At first, I practice just for friends. Little by little, though, I realized I could really do this. I didn't need a diploma. I was going up against graduates from top-10 schools and beating them cold. I might not have been legitimate, but I served my clients with unstinting loyalty. Not a single one of them came to testify against me because not a single one of them felt defrauded. Competent representation was what they ask for, and competent representation was what they got. Yes, I practiced law without a license. And regardless of your verdict, I will never practice law again. That, for me, is the greatest punishment of all.

  [Members of the Jury listen to Mr. Mathers' speech] 

  Richard Mathers : When I walk through those doors, when I see that reporter seating at her machine, and I plead my case knowing that someone is depending on me to get them through what are most likely the most desperate moments of their life, I feel more alive here than I do anywhere else on earth. I love doing this. God, I love doing this. It's hard to imagine this is the last time I ever will.

  [Richard Mathers ending his speech in court. Mr. Kuzak understood who Mr. Mathers is] 

• Richard Mathers : Kuzak.

  Michael Kuzak : What are you doing here?

  Richard Mathers : I thought I'd lend you my support.

  Michael Kuzak : In exchange for what?

  Richard Mathers : You doing the same. I testify for you, you testify for me. Very symmetrical, no?

  Michael Kuzak : No.

  [Mr. Mathers talking with Mr. Sifuentes] 

  Richard Mathers : He'd be helping me out.

  Victor Sifuentes : Hey, don't look at me.

  Richard Mathers : Mike.

  Michael Kuzak : I'm sorry, but I don't want you to be my witness, and I certainly don't want to be yours.

  Richard Mathers : The first part of that is up to you. The second part's up to me.

  [Mr. Mathers handing over the subpoena to Mr. Kuzak] 

  Richard Mathers : Here's your subpoena. If you can get there by 10:00, that would be great.

  [Mr. Kuzak will take care of that] 

• Richard Mathers : Mr. Kuzak, in the period of time that we were adversaries, you serve me conducting some 11 depositions. You heard me argue 11 pretrial motions. You watch me pick a jury. You sat across from me during 15 days at trial. What kind of lawyer am I?

  Michael Kuzak : Competent.

  Richard Mathers : Competent? Tell us. How many attorneys did Barry and Ina Toland have prior to hiring me?

  Michael Kuzak : I believe they had 3.

  Richard Mathers : 3 different bona fide attorneys? Licensed to practice law in the State of California? What settlement offer if any was on that table during that time?

  Michael Kuzak : None.

  Richard Mathers : And 2 months after I come into the case, how would that change?

  Michael Kuzak : Mr. Tecowsky's insurance carrier authorize throwing in their proceeds of the policy.

  Richard Mathers : To amount to how much?

  Michael Kuzak : Half of million dollars.

  Richard Mathers : I guess they thought I was competent, too, huh?

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : Objection.

  Judge George Syler : Sustained.

  [Mr. Mathers will withdraw the question. And moves another question] 

  Richard Mathers : Mr. Kuzak, around December 1st of this year, you were approached me with this same half million dollar offer. And one additional piece of information. Namely, that you knew I was not license to practice law. What was my reaction to that?

  Michael Kuzak : You turn it down.

  Richard Mathers : And what reason did I give for doing so?

  Michael Kuzak : Your said you wouldn't sell your client out to save yourself.

  Richard Mathers : Thank you. I have no further question.

• D.D.A. Gylkowski : What did you do when you found out that Mr. Mathers wasn't a lawyer?

  Richard Mathers : Objection. The relevant.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : Goes to credibility, Your Honor. This witness perpetrated a fraud up on court for which he is now under investigation by the State Bar.

  Richard Mathers : I moved to strike that! It's prejudicial and...

  Judge George Syler : Both of you settle down. The witness can answer the question.

  [Kuzak will go ahead and answer] 

  Michael Kuzak : I confronted Mr. Mathers directly.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : So you converted to... to advantage?

  Richard Mathers : Argumentative.

  Judge George Syler : Sustained.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : Tell me, sir, what is this status of Toland vs. Tecowsky now?

  Michael Kuzak : Its been settled.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : Is that right? Did the plaintiffs engage new counsels so soon?

  Michael Kuzak : The parties reached an agreement between themselves.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : Did you have any conversations with Mr. Mathers subsequent to his arrest as to what that agreement might be?

  Michael Kuzak : We set certain parameters. I advice Tecowsky, I assume he did the same with the Tolands.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : And how did you two boys make out?

  Richard Mathers : I object, Your Honor. District Attorney is slinging mud against the wall and hoping something sticks.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : Well, that's funny, Mr. Mathers, because for the two of you, it seems its something always does.

  Judge George Syler : That's quite sufficient. Thank you.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : Uh, tell me, Mr. Kuzak, is your testifying on behalf of Mr. Mathers, part of the settlement arrangement?

  Michael Kuzak : I'm here under subpoena.

  D.D.A. Gylkowski : Naturally. I'm sure the two of you were well verses avoiding the appearance of collision.