Everyone loves John Grisham. For one thing, it’s fascinating to see how the legal system works–or doesn’t work–in this country. The bad guys, whether they are sleazy lawyers, corporate bigwigs or corrupt politicians, usually get their due. In The Litigators, a couple of ambulance chasers and their associate who has gone AWOL from a large, prosperous and demanding law firm, are way over their heads in a lawsuit against a huge pharmaceutical company.
The law firm of Finley & Figg resides on a busy intersection, where the sound of an automobile accident sends the staff running out to the street to drum up business. When Wally Figg hears about potential problems with the cholesterol medication, Krayoxx, he jumps at the chance to sign up Krayoxx victims and their families for what he believes is everyone’s chance at the big money. As you might expect, it’s a lot harder than any of Finley & Figg’s attorneys envisioned to fight a drug giant successfully.
Grisham has fun with his lawyers in this novel, both the quirky, incompetent, seat-of-their-pants type like F & F, and the polished, confident, overworked $500 an hour type. He also pokes a bit of fun at expert witnesses, federal judges, and clients who dream of getting something for nothing.
The two lawyers were sitting in the car talking, as if they did not want to get out. Only a couple of FBI agents in black suits and a black sedan could have been more conspicuous.
“So, why are we here?” David asked.
“Krayoxxx, my friend, Krayoxx. I want to talk to Iris and see if by chance Percy had been on the drug when he died. If so, then voilà! We have another Krayoxx case, worth somewhere between two and four mill. Any more questions?”
Oh, dozens of questions. David’s mind was spinning as he realized they were abou to cold-call Ms. Klopeck to inquire about her dead husband.
–cary
