Chapter 1

If there was one thing Ken Cramer didn’t enjoy doing it was attending funerals. His attendance at this funeral was mandatory as it was for his law partner Gordon Price. Gordon at fifty-five years was ten years Ken’s senior, and besides being his law partner, was a longtime friend. Gordon was driving home from dinner at a restaurant with a female companion when he suddenly slumped at the wheel. His companion managed to stop the vehicle. With the help of some passing motorists they had administered CPR to Gordon till the paramedics arrived. All of the efforts to revive Gordon had failed.

Ken looked at Gordon in this open casket and could only wonder about his own mortality. When the grim reaper would visit him he didn’t know, but he hoped it wouldn’t be any time in the near future. There still were a lot of things he wanted to do and he vowed he would take the time and come up with his “bucket list.”

Gordon had married right after law school, but was divorced about five years later. There was one daughter from the marriage, Beverly. She was now standing by the casket and was on the receiving end of the condolences that were being offered by Gordon’s friends and acquaintances as they paid their last respects. Gordon’s ex-wife had moved to California and didn’t come back for the funeral. She and Gordon had ended their marriage not on the best of terms.

Ken stood close to Beverly and helped her with the introductions to some of the mourners that she didn’t know. He had to bite his tongue when he heard the proverbial comment that a few of them would make, “That Gordon looked good.” Looking good in being dead was ridiculous thought Ken. That had to be one of the most asinine comment someone could make.

The graveside burial and a sad and somber affair attended by a large outpouring of Gordon’s friends who attended the service. Ken noticed that in attendance were a number of ladies that Gordon had been friends with and had dated. They seemed to be sincerely sad that Gordon had gone to the great beyond.

Afterwards at the restaurant, Ken was able to discuss a few things with Bev and her husband. He waited to do this till all of the guests had said their goodbyes and left.

“You know you are the sole beneficiary of Gordon’s estate as spelled out by the will and trust. The exception to his estate is the law practice. That was set up so it would go to the other partner if something was to happen to either one of us. There is a large life insurance policy payout to cover that. If you want, I can have Ted Reed from our office help you on transferring the titles and do the necessary paper work for you to receive the balance of Gordon’s estate.”

“I would appreciate that as I have no idea on how those things are handled.”

“Of course I am here if you need help on anything. All you need to do is to ask me. Gordon was more than just a law partner for me, he was my best friend.”

“Thanks Ken, I know you and Dad were close. He talked highly of you and always said the best move he ever made was when you two left that large law firm and formed your own law practice. There is however one thing you could do for me.”

“Name it.”

“Next weekend I am going to be at Dad’s condo. I will be removing some items, but my main purpose will be to clean out all of his personal items as his clothes and other things before renting the unit out. The AMVETS are coming Monday and will be getting a big donation. I was hoping you could come over and see if there is anything Dad has at his home that should be at the law office. If you find anything that should be at the office, you should take it with you.”

“I’ll be there at nine.”

On the drive home Ken had a lot of time to think and remember about what had happen in the twenty plus years he had known Gordon. Ken had met Gordon when he was hired at Nelson and Wigginton, a large law firm that was located in the heart of the city. Ken was hired right after he had graduated from law school. In a short time and in spite of the age difference between them, they became good friends. To Ken, Gordon was like the older brother that he never had.

Both Ken and Gordon had progressed to where they were capable trial attorneys. Ken had become a little antsy and was not a fan of being predominately rated on the number of billable hours. His success as a trial attorney in achieving favorable verdicts offset some of the pressure he received on the amount of his billings. Ken had discussed his concerns with Gordon who was in agreement with Ken, but posed the question as to what they could do about it?

Ken said, “I was thinking of leaving and starting my own law practice back in my hometown. My uncle Bill Bower, and his son Rob have a large insurance agency there. Bill has said to me that if I did open up an office there, he is sure that he could send some of his insured’s my way when they were injured in automobile accidents. If we don’t burn our bridges here, maybe they will refer some cases for us to handle there, as they don’t have anyone in that county and are looking to expand. I know it’s a gamble, but I am willing to give it a try. Do you want to try it with me?”

“If I am ever going to get to be my own boss now is the time. I am not getting any younger. I say what the hell partner, let’s give it a try,” and he extended his hand to Ken for a shake to seal the agreement.

Uncle Bill set Ken and Gordon up with a realtor when they visited the town the following weekend. They were shown a building that would only require a little remodeling to turn it into a presentable law office. What was also nice was that on the second floor of this building was a small apartment. Ken said he would move into this apartment until the money started rolling in and he could afford something better.

A low-ball offer on the building was made because of the depressed real estate market. The offer prompted negotiations as to the price, and with just a little bit of increase on Ken’s part, the offer was accepted. When the remodeling was about complete, both Ken and Gordon submitted their letters of resignation. They told the managing partner of the law firm that they were leaving and what their plans were. They said that since they knew the system here they would be available to do defense work for this firm if there was a need to use attorneys in that county.

Judson Nelson, the managing partner had taken a liking to both Ken and Gordon because of the favorable jury verdicts they had achieved. He confirmed that the firm was looking to expand in that county. He would send some work their way initially, but if there was sufficient volume, the firm probably would open their own office there and staff it with in-house attorneys. He couldn’t guarantee how long or how much work he could refer to Ken and Gordon, but said what was sent their way should help until they built up their own book of business.

The first couple months for the new law firm of Kramer and Price were financially challenging. Both Ken and Gordon had to dip into their saving at times to pay the bills. Uncle Bill was true to his word and he did referred a number of his injured policyholders to the law firm who had been in automobile accidents who weren’t at fault. To be expected there was time involved for the injuries to heal and the bills to be gathered, that created a lag time before settlement negotiations could be commence. For the first six months both Ken and Gordon functioned primarily as plaintiff’s attorneys representing their clients who were injured against the other party’s insurance companies. Their old law firm did send a few cases their way which helped out in paying the bills.