"THE LITIGATORS," by John Grisham, Doubleday, $28.95, 385 pages (f)
Colorful characters, an engaging plot and a satisfying ending are few reasons why John Grisham’s latest novel, “The Litigators,” is a book worth reading.
Meet David Zinc.
For five years, Zinc, a 31-year-old attorney has been toiling for long, grueling hours in a fancy, downtown Chicago megafirm. Zinc started out on the fast track to a prestigious title and millions, but his work has overtaken his life. One day he realizes he is burned out, suffers an anxiety attack on the elevator and decides he’s done. After several hours of drinking, he stumbles into “a boutique firm” called Finley and Figg. The little law practice specializes in quickie divorces, DUIs and chasing ambulances to hustle injury cases. The contrast between the tiny firm and his old job is so fascinating to the inebriated Zinc that he offers his services on the spot.
When he sobers up, Zinc meets the other main characters. Oscar Finley, the senior partner, wants a divorce but is afraid of his wife. Wally Figg, the junior partner, is a recovering alcoholic with four ex-wives who goes looking for business at funeral homes and bingo parlors. The truth is Finley and Figg are lousy, uninspiring lawyers. Then there’s Rochelle, the over-worked, undercompensated secretary who has knows just as much about the law as the two partners. Upon getting to know his new colleagues, Zinc wonders what he has gotten himself in to.
The beginning of the story has some slow moments, but eventually Zinc embarks on an odyssey of the legal system that changes the direction of his life for the better.
Mass tort litigation plays a major role in the story. Without doing the research and considering the possible ramifications, Figg files a lawsuit against the maker of an anti-cholesterol drug in hopes of a multi-million dollar settlement. He convinces Finley and Zinc a settlement will come long before a trial. The quest for big fees is accompanied by some very humorous moments, but worthwhile lessons are gained in the process.
Grisham has written about mass tort litigation before in “The King of Torts.” Grisham uses these two examples to demonstrate the flaws in the system and show how lawyers are more concerned with becoming millionaires than representing their clients — the victims. Much of the plot is predicable but entertaining.
"The Litigators" has a PG-13 tone to it, but there is redeeming value. Zinc is a man who starts out on the path to guaranteed wealth and happiness, becomes disenchanted with the law, then rediscovers himself and regains his love of the law by taking a more unconventional road – working with the humble, mistreated people of the world.
As Grisham’s endings go, this one is somewhat satisfying. Other Grisham novels have concluded with brutal reality and zero justice. “The Litigators” at least leaves the reader with hope for the innocent and downtrodden. If they have the right attorney, they have a chance.
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