Richard Dysart: Leland McKenzie

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Arnie Becker : As far as I'm concerned, Patrick Flanagan is a felon! He gave me assurances that this little girl would not testify before the grand jury. That is obstruction of justice!

  Leland McKenzie : Do you have any proof of that?

  Arnie Becker : Of course I don't have proof.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Patrick says that he tried to notify you on that day with the settlement offer, but you were unavailable.

  Leland McKenzie : He also maintains that no such assurances were made.

  Arnie Becker : He's lying! Less you be under any further illusions, this is someone who lies. He came into my office on that day and he told me right to my face at what he wanted to do. I told him, no uncertain terms: "do not do this." He went ahead and he did it anyway!

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Parenthetically, it should be noted that he did bring in about $9 million. He's quite a popular guy around here...

  Arnie Becker : Douglas, he is dangerous!

  Leland McKenzie : Now, hold on, Arnie. I think that might be a little harsh.

  Arnie Becker : All right, Leland, look, you do whatever you want with him. But I'm telling you right now, I will NOT work with him again! The day you insist I sit down and talk to Patrick about working out our differences, that is the day that I quit!

  Leland McKenzie : That's your provocative?

  Arnie Becker : It certainly is! On this one, Daniel Morales was right about him. Morales was right!

  [Arnie storms out of the office and closed the door shut] 

• Douglas Brackman, Jr. : First Daniel quits, now Arnie threatens to because of Patrick Flanagan? Doesn't any of that strike you odd at all?

  Leland McKenzie : [skeptic]  No, it doesn't. Patrick maintains that no such assurances were ever given. I believe him.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Patrick maintains a lot of things, Leland.

  Leland McKenzie : [realizing it]  Yes, he does.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : At a minimum, he does seem to be someone who gets accused of obstructing justice and breaking the law pretty often. Think about it.

  Leland McKenzie : [short pause]  Well... so far all of the accusations have been groundless.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : [gets up and leaves]  Yeah... so far.

• Patrick Flanagan : You wanted to see me?

  Leland McKenzie : Yes, it's about the Rudolph case.

  Patrick Flanagan : I know that Arnold says I engineered the whole thing and went behind his back, but that's really not the case. He's just jealous that I thought up of the settlement before he did. This all has been a misunderstanding.

  Leland McKenzie : You know, Patrick... you always seem to have a perfectly logical answer and explanation to every question, every issue, and every accusation that is brought to you. A little too perfect, I might add. I always looked upon McKenzie Brackman as a family then a law firm. I want the people who work for me to be happy and I also want them to be honorable. However, there are some cases and clients that we will not take on. There are some things we will not do.

  Patrick Flanagan : I don't believe I did anything wrong in this case, sir. Becker just has it out for me because he thinks I upstaged him with this case over...

  Leland McKenzie : [cutting him off; firm tone]  I don't want to talk about Arnold Becker. I want to talk about you. I will NOT tolerate lying or deception from anyone that works for me, not even from you! I am going to ask you one question this one time, and I want you to look me in the eye and tell me the truth. Your answer will stay in this office between you and me. If you tell me the truth, I will stand by you and help you out any way I can.

  Patrick Flanagan : All right.

  Leland McKenzie : Two weeks ago, did you give assurances to Arnold Becker that Mrs. Rudolph's daughter would not testify against against her school's headmaster, Jack Lambert, in order so that he would give a $9 million retainer to our firm for future representation in which you would handle all of Mr. Lambert's future civil cases and get a sizeable share of the retainer?

  Patrick Flanagan : [short pause; impassive tone]  No, I did not.

  [another pause as Leland is clearly not sure if Patrick is telling the truth -which he is not-; but Leland seems to accept it anyway and lets the matter drop] 

  Leland McKenzie : Okay.