Counselor Undone Read Online Free PDF Page B

years ago. But
you agreed to co-chair our group’s Associate Development Committee with me this
year, and you’ve been extremely lax in your duties. Not to mention you know I
need to take over the Werner case from Jackson soon. So, you need to make a
decision on my replacement for the Metra Pharmaceuticals case. At some point,
looking at resumes isn’t going to be enough.”
    Snagging the folder of pedigrees Michael had ignored all
morning, Chase flipped through the dossiers for the senior associates on their
team. “Eventually, you need to meet these guys in person to determine which one
will suit your purpose best.” He tossed the folder back on the desk.
    Chase made a good point. No matter how many times he went
over the resumes, it always came back to the same two possible candidates—on
paper. Time he evaluated the next level. He flipped open the folder and placed
the photo-included resumes of his top two candidates side-by-side on top.
    Unfolding from the chair, Chase stood. His tall frame
towered over Michael’s desk. “Avoidance time is done. You’re coming to the
meeting today. I expect to see you in the South Conference Room in fifteen
minutes. If you’re not there on time, I’m going to personally pick one of the
new female hires to come escort you down.”
    Michael’s head jerked up. As he suspected, a mischievous
smirk graced Chase’s lips. His friend had a wicked sense of humor, and Michael
knew he meant it. The only thing Michael hated more than the administrative
duties associated with partnership was fending off the female groupies who
considered him the firm’s most eligible catch. Every year, a new bunch arrived.
    Sometimes, he felt like a mouse in a house with a dozen
cats. He had to be careful when he came out of his hole. The Mediterranean
complexion he’d inherited from his mother gave him a perpetual tan look the
opposite sex found attractive. Still, he’d learned what most interested females
were the size of his bank account and the power associated with having the same
surname as the firm’s founding partners. He didn’t do office relationships.
He’d been there, done that, and had the battle scars to prove it.
    “I’ll be there,” he finally replied. The last thing he
needed was for Chase to sic some overzealous female associate on him. Chase had
a knack for picking the ones with a biological clock ticking so loud it could
be heard throughout the tri-state area. The last time it happened, Michael
spent weeks trying to dissuade the young lady from her pursuit. In his opinion,
there wasn’t a species on the planet more tenacious than a female lawyer. He
doubted even a mother lioness could hold her own.
    “Good.” Chase turned and exited the corner office.
    Michael’s chest rose and fell with a deep breath as he
rubbed his left hand through his hair. His Monday morning hadn’t stacked up so
well. He’d let Chase catch him daydreaming about his mystery lady. He’d let
thoughts of her distract him from the case he should have been working
on.
    Opposing counsel had made it clear during their last telephone
conference that the plaintiff, Dexter Drug, wouldn’t talk settlement unless the
deal included a full assignment of Metra Pharmaceuticals’ patent rights in its
competing drug. Of course, Metra Pharmaceuticals wouldn’t agree so he needed to
survive the summary judgment phase. If he did, this case might actually go to
trial.
    Looking at his calendar again, he noted that would put him
in court right around the Fourth of July picnic. Raina was going to skin him
alive. On top of that, he now had to go play mentor.
    He rose from his deep black leather chair, grabbed his suit
jacket, and headed for the conference room. He didn’t know why, but he had a
sudden premonition his day was about to get even more complicated.

Chapter 3
    Jordis Morgan stood off to the side of the half-full conference
room, gripping a cup of chai spice black tea. Subconsciously, she categorized
the