Conflicts of Interest.John Martel John Martel is an American lawyer and novelist. Originally an Air Force pilot, Martel graduated with a law degree from Boalt Hall, the law school of the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the San Francisco firm of Farella Braun & Martel in 1964. Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster U.S. publishing company. It was founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon (1899–1960) and M. Lincoln Schuster (1897–1970), whose initial project, the original crossword-puzzle book, was a best-seller. , 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY 10020. 442 pp., $23. Reviewed by Laura Ariane Miller California rules of professional conduct make clear that a lawyer who has or had a relationship with one party in a conflict may not accept as a client another party "interested in the representation" without all affected clients' informed written consent. The rule that lawyers may not represent clients to the detriment of former clients in related matters runs to the heart of professionalism, loyalty, and the avoidance of even the appearance of impropriety Appearance of impropriety is a term often used in reference to a situation whose ethics is deemed questionable. It means that any layperson, without knowledge of the facts, would assume that something he/she saw or heard was inappropriate or a violation of a rule/regulation. . John Martel's Conflicts of Interest may be aptly named for its author's insistence on having his characters defy, without consequence, the well-established rule. A major character violates the ethical canons by defending a company in a case brought by the character's godchild god·child n. A person for whom another serves as sponsor at baptism. godchild Noun pl -children a person who is sponsored by godparents at baptism Noun 1. and former client. In the real world, this conflict of interest would not go unchallenged. But Martel seems to have either ignored reality or indulged in fantasy for dramatic effect. What a shame, for Martel has otherwise put together a thoughtful and interesting book. Conflicts of Interest is the psychological profile of Seth Cameron, a young Bakersfield, California “Bakersfield” redirects here. For other uses, see Bakersfield (disambiguation). Bakersfield (pop. 323,213GR2) is one of the fastest-growing, large-population cities in the United States. , trial lawyer, who aspires to secure a partnership in a major San Francisco law firm. Cameron dreams of the day when he'll find a permanent professional place on Montgomery Street, the center of San Francisco's legal talent. This thoroughly self-absorbed protagonist is, of course, also a brilliant and brazen litigator lit·i·gate v. lit·i·gat·ed, lit·i·gat·ing, lit·i·gates v.tr. To contest in legal proceedings. v.intr. To engage in legal proceedings. , willing to break any rules and any hearts that may stand in the way of his ambitions. The central plot revolves around the fatal crash of an experimental stealth bomber and the litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. efforts on behalf of the widow of the Air Force pilot killed in the crash. The author's occasionally dense descriptions of avionics (the world of electronics as applied to aeronautics) are essential to an appreciation of this complex field. Martel, a highly successful trial lawyer and name partner in a real-life Montgomery Street firm, knows whereof where·of conj. 1. Of what: I know whereof I speak. 2. a. Of which: ancient pottery whereof many examples are lost. b. Of whom. he speaks. A former Air Force pilot, Martel gives the reader the benefit of his knowledge and experience. His tenure at the helm of a profitable law firm also provides fodder for a self-critical analysis of law firm politics and the economics of private practice. The most fascinating aspect of the book is the character study of Cameron. His drive to succeed at all costs and in all legal matters is disconnected from any sense of true justice or dedication to any cause. Nearly 100 pages pass before we are introduced to the case of the test plane's crash. To get to that point, we follow Cameron on his road from Bakersfield to San Francisco. The road runs through several courtrooms, and Cameron's antics en route are staggering. His shenanigans shenanigans Noun, pl Informal 1. mischief or nonsense 2. trickery or deception [origin unknown] are consistent with his reported exploits in the National Football League, where his dirty tricks had him thrown out of one game too many. Cameron is hardly a heroic figure. His quick wit makes for an engaging but never quite charming persona. This rogue, who seeks to win at any price, never wins the affections of the reader. His drive to succeed makes him the author's caricature of the modem trial lawyer. Whether Cameron can get past his ambitions and see a world larger than Montgomery Street is the book's central question. A reader seeking the answer will surely enjoy this thought-provoking and fast-paced novel. Laura Ariane Miller is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Nixon, Hargrave, & Doyle. |
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