Chapter 40: Of rats and lawyers (1)
"Jack, it's good to see you. How have you been?" Henry Aldridge was the lawyer who had helped on Fran's lawsuit against Jacob's negligent employer, and, as such, was probably the only lawyer Jack trusted.
"I'm good, Henry. Thanks for seeing me on such short notice," Jack replied. They were standing in the foyer of the law offices of Trimble, Norwood, Gefen, and Associates.
"Let's continue this in my office," Henry said, then turned and started walking towards the door leading to the offices of the associates. The other door in the foyer was reserved for clients meeting with one of the law firms' three partners.
As they walked towards his office Henry said, "Candice, said it was urgent, but that you refused to provide details over the phone. Is everything okay? I wasn't aware of any issues with the settlement or inheritance." Candice was one of the secretaries that handled calls for the associates.
"No, this is something new. I'd rather not talk about it until we get to your office."
"Understood."
When they reached Henry's office, he pointed at the two chairs in front of his desk and said, "Have a seat," then closed the door behind them before sitting behind his desk. "So, what can I help you with?"
"In the past you worked for Fran, and then her estate, so I'm not sure if attorney client privilege applies between us just yet. Is there something we can do to formalize that before we begin?"
Henry's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. "I believe you can already claim attorney client privilege, but if it would make you feel better, we can sign an engagement letter. Would that ease your mind?"
"Yes, please. I apologize for asking for this, but I think you'll understand once I tell you the reason."
"I understand." Henry turned and pulled a piece of paper out of a file cabinet behind him, then handed it to Jack, along with a pen. "This is a standard engagement letter. It's more than enough to establish attorney client privilege between you, and not just me, but the entire firm."