Offer To The CEO

Friday, continued …

Pausing for a few seconds Lu Jingho's legal team looked at each other, without words telling each other that they needed to get their client to understand that they were attempting to provide him with advice. While every one of them knew, by taking this job to represent him, he would be one of the most difficult clients that they had represented, the reality was proving to be something completely different.

They had a client, who believer he knew better than them, and had to be in control of the whole situation. He made it clear to every one of them, that unless they followed his direction not only would he fire them, they would not get paid, he would do everything to destroy their firms and their careers. He was the worst client any one of them had represented.

After looking at each other, they knew someone had to speak, and the senior people in the team all looked to the most junior member, a woman who realised that she was going to be the sacrificial person to speak.

Taking a breath, she said "Mr Lu, you are correct that our job is to achieve what you want from the case. That is subject to what the law will allow us to do. We are doing what we can to achieve that, but it relies on you being open and honest in communication of information you know. Keeping information secret or failing to give information you know of, impacts what we can do, in getting rid of the charges, minimising any potential penalty and simply keeping matters out of the press."

Now angry, with being lectured "I have told you what I want, you have to achieve that. What information I have does not matter."

"Mr Lu, we understand you need us to follow your instructions. And we are doing this. We just need to act to protect you and minimise information from getting out. While you may not like it, there are times that we will ask you for information. We do not do this to frustrate or annoy you. It is all about achieving what you want. If you cannot deal with that, we may not be the one to represent you."

Lu Jingho opened his mouth to say something but stopped. He knew after Alister Nang's firm they were the best criminal law firm in town. They won most of their cases, and their win/loss ratio was not far below Alister Nang's firm. He knew he needed them to get the outcome he wanted.

"Fine," Lu Jingho spat out. "But do not lecture me again like that. If I decide not to say anything, it is not my fault. You need to do the work that you are paid for."

Before any response could be said, the lawyer from the National Prosecutor's Service re-entered the court room, and the judge then came back to the bench.

"Gentleman, I have read the agreements reached with some of the alleged victims in this matter. Given that the appropriate certificates as to receiving independent legal advice, which I can see as part of the agreement Lu Corporation or you Mr Lu have paid for, I need the National Prosecutors' Service view on them."

"Sir, we believe that all the agreements are inadequate in all the circumstances, given the nature of the alleged crimes and the evidence we have. Given this, our view is that every agreement should be overturned. However, we will not disagree that every agreement is in compliance with the law. But we want it to be made very clear, despite this position we note that every victim has made a conscious decision, either personally or through their parents, and that needs to be respected."

A silence fell over the court room, waiting for the judge to speak. The judge looked from between the National Prosecutors and Lu Jingho's legal representatives, considering their expressions, before saying "Having just heard what was said, is there anything else that your legal team Mr Lu wishes to add?"

Immediately the woman junior lawyer stood up. "Sir, regardless of what the National Prosecutors have to say, the agreements comply with the law. While our client disputes any wrongdoing, he has agreed to these agreements without any admission of any alleged behaviour to assist these people, who we have stated before have been used by CEO and Madam Hou for their own illegal purposes."