Chapter 381

“Alright, so let’s talk about the case this week,” Garrison said. He’d ordered a burger wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun, which he clearly wasn’t a major fan of but ate anyway. “Corporate law isn’t as flashy as criminal law, or contract negotiations for high-paid actors or athletes, or all sorts of things you could do. But it’s a solid path, and this week has been a good example of the chess match that you need to put together. Who’s got questions off the top?”

“Sir, and I mean no offence by this,” Gemma said. “But is it always this boring?”

Garrison laughed and shook his head. “Sometimes no, but often yes. In this instance, we aren’t dealing with any death, health risks, wrongful terminations or the like so the personal injury element isn’t there to lean into. It’s fraud at a corporate reporting level, but not involving the government. Here’s something to remember though - unlike most TV shows and movies, many judges prefer a slow-and-steady approach. Drama in the courtroom is a great way to get yourself on a judge’s shit list, and judges gossip just as much as lawyers so getting on a shitlist means you’re just a step or two from being on all their judge friend’s lists as well.”

“Wouldn’t things being more exciting make their jobs more enjoyable?” Sabrina asked.

“You’d think so, but it’s also a sign that they don’t have control of their court,” Garrison pointed out. “And when they don’t have control, most judges get real antsy and see it as disrespect, not showmanship. It might not be stunning or flashy, but most cases don’t actually hinge on one piece of evidence or testimony. Even criminal cases require a lot of building blocks when things aren’t on video.”

“So which of us do you think would cut it in corporate law, sir?” Eric asked.

Garrison laughed and shook his head. “None of you,” he said, making you all raise your eyebrows. “Not that you couldn’t, but you wouldn’t be happy with it. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable for you to get a taste, and get some training. Eric, you have too much ambition and like the spotlight. I have a feeling that if you have the patience to finish your degree, you’ll end up working for a talent agency of some kind and could one day negotiate for entertainment or athletics clients. Sabrina and Gemma, I have a feeling, will take some time to decide. At least one of you will become a prosecutor - or whatever the equivalent is in Australia. I also wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of you ended up as in-house counsel for a worthy NGO or activist organisation.”

Gemma was grinning. “And what about John?”

“I think John is going to have a strange career,” Garrison said. “And that likely means some time in criminal defence. But in the end, John, I think you have the sort of mind and sense of justice - and careful desire to control your surroundings - that you could end up on a bench.”

“A judge?” you asked, raising an eyebrow as you thought about sitting through day after day of boring cases.