Legally Addicted Read Online Free PDF

Miriam had been the one to set up the meeting, so it wasn’t until Georgia came to the final document on the file, an email from the opposing firm confirming the appointment, that she noticed the name.
    Spencer Law.
    Damn.
    The Walsh split would have been a lucrative file, except now that their respective firms had merged she and Brad couldn’t act for both clients. One of the Walsh’s would have to be dispatched to another firm. With Douglas Walsh the wealthier of the two by far, it didn’t take too much guessing to work out whose client that was going to be.
    Miriam, who had been speaking into her headset, got up and walked the short two steps from her own desk to Georgia’s.
    ‘Sorry to interrupt, but Ruby and Douglas Walsh are already here. The receptionist has put them in the conference room. Should I bring tea and coffee in later?’
    ‘No, you can forget that, Miriam, this is likely to be the shortest conference in the history of the firm.’
    Miriam covered her mouth with her hand.
    ‘Shoot, sorry. I should have thought and cancelled. We can’t represent Ruby now, can we?’
    Georgia shook her head.
    ‘That’s okay. It’s probably best one of the partners tells Ruby in person anyway, but can you remind Brad about the meeting?’
    If Brad was going to be the cause of her losing a lucrative client, the least he could do was be there when she delivered the news, and help her smooth things over.
    Georgia took the file and strode down to the far end of the floor, stepping into the conference room that opened out through double doors into reception. She found the estranged couple sitting in silence on opposite sides of the conference table. Georgia hadn’t met Douglas Walsh previously, but before Georgia could introduce herself, Ruby spoke.
    ‘I hope you’re up to dealing with Brad Spencer, Georgia. They do say he’s the best in the city. He’s been our family lawyer for years, but Douglas got to him first, and so I had to come to you.’ Ruby said, appearing not the least bit embarrassed at having just told her solicitor she considered her second best and a poor substitute for the services of the legendary Brad Spencer.
    Immaculately turned out, but overdone in heavy gold jewellery, patent leather shoes and a designer business suit, Georgia doubted Mrs Douglas Walsh had ever done a day’s work in her life, let alone anything in business. The ensemble was the sort of thing found on the higher floors of Castlereagh’s Department Store, floors Georgia rarely dared to visit. Not because she couldn’t face the additional escalators, but because the prices were well beyond what, even on a lawyer’s salary, she could afford.
    ‘Dealing with both of you now that you are separated would have been a conflict of interest. Brad has no choice,’ Georgia responded, referring to the relevant legal principle in an effort to avoid any of her rapidly rising irritation showing.
    Now that she had made partner, Georgia knew she would be seeing a lot more of the firm’s wealthier clientele. She didn’t relish having to suffer the offensive superior attitudes and condescension that it would inevitably involve, but she had dealt with much worse as the poor scholarship kid at an exclusive private school, and she backed herself to be able to handle it.
    ‘Yes, conflict of interest — that’s what Brad said.’
    ‘I can assure you that Dayton Llewellyn Murray’s services are top rate,’ Georgia said, emphasising the ‘Murray’ then immediately regretting it, wishing she hadn’t tried to justify herself to this stupid shallow woman.
    ‘Good morning, Ruby.’
    Brad strode into the conference room and leaned across the table to shake her client’s hand. Georgia caught a whiff of his cologne, all deep forest and evergreen, which rattled her. It made it difficult to concentrate on her main priority — making sure Brad helped her deliver the bad news, and hopefully doled out some of his charm.
    ‘Douglas.’
    Brad