An Extraordinary Lawyer’s Subspace - Chapter 187



Only Krnovel

【Episode 187 – Old Knight’s Bow】

PIC Insurance New York Office,

cabinet.

“Ten million dollars? What are you talking about, Roy? You want to settle for ten million dollars?”

After meeting with the general, Sanders met with Doug Pullman, the general counsel of PIC Insurance.

It was recommended that they settle for ten million dollars.

A client that I obviously don’t like.

Doug Pullman, the general counsel, expressed strong opposition.

Although he had known Roy Sanders for a long time, he could not understand Sanders’ current behavior.

“Have you seen the statement we submitted?”

“I see. I get it. Yeah, they found a few of our stains over there.”

“It’s not just a few cases. It’s twenty-three cases.”

“Yes, twenty-three cases. As I see it, some of them are worth less than ten thousand dollars. Most of them are claims under a hundred thousand dollars.”

“I don’t think the amount of the claim is important at this point.”

“Yes, I understand that. I also saw the opinion that was submitted. It is my opinion that if these cases go to trial and become public knowledge, there will be a considerable impact. But, Roy, ten million dollars? That doesn’t make sense.”

I couldn’t help but sympathize with General Counsel Doug Pullman’s response.

Even if we look at it broadly, the claim is only about $550,000, so they are demanding $9.45 million in “punitive damages” and are just giving it to them without even fighting it.

Even if the legal director with decision-making authority approves, it is something that could lead to an audit later.

“You said you met with the opposing party’s lawyer?”

“yes.”

“Have you heard anything else? If you have, tell me. Based on the contents of the current opinion alone, it is not a proposal that cannot be approved.”

“I haven’t heard anything specific. But I have a bad feeling. I feel like there’s another card in the bag.”

Not shown to us.

“Are you sure?”

Any other lawyer would have snapped at him, asking if he was talking nonsense or if he was scared, but this was Roy Sanders of Kaiser Dutton Hill.

Ranked in the top 3 in the industry.

Doug Pullman, the general counsel, confirmed again.

“I’m sure you’ve talked to the reporters. Once the trial starts, there will be articles coming out right away. Then other media outlets will follow suit and start pouring out articles. You know, these kinds of cases make for good news stories.”

“Are you worried about public opinion? Roy, how many times has an insurance company been attacked like this by claimants? You know, it may seem overwhelming at first. But when you win the trial, it all goes quiet.”

“You know it’s not an easy case to win.”

“I know. We were wrong. But that’s ridiculous. Ten million dollars? Just for a laundry leak claim.”

“It could escalate into a class action lawsuit.”

“Then it will be easier.”

Doug Pullman is an expert.

He worked as an insurance attorney at Kirkland Law Firm for 10 years before moving to PIC Insurance Claims Part Legal Team Manager and rising to his current position as General Counsel.

Class action lawsuits are difficult cases to handle because the compensation is large.

Because each claimant has a different situation and different intentions, they may initially come together in the hope of receiving money they otherwise would not have, but they may turn against each other over a few tens of thousands of dollars more.

If you just give 10-20% more to the person who agrees first, they will come running without even listening to the lawyer.

When the claimants who had been gathered together disperse one by one, the momentum is lost.

Other lawyers like piranhas will swarm you and try to steal your clients away.

Ultimately, it can create the image of victims who are ‘pretending to be wronged because of money.’

Then, the public opinion that was sympathetic at first will also disperse.

It can be easily made that way.

Especially if the opposing attorney is from a small law firm.

This is the way Doug Pullman put it best.

And the law has always worked.

“He doesn’t seem like the type of lawyer you can take lightly.”

“Really? You’re a Korean law firm. You only have four lawyers. Roy, what’s wrong? Why are you doing this? Why are you so overwhelmed?”

“If you had read the statement, you would have known that this was not a case involving just four people.”

Roy Sanders responded strongly to the seemingly dismissive attitude.

Doug Pullman doesn’t push any further, but he still disagrees.

“Okay, here’s what I mean. They’re putting their life on the line. They’re a big law firm in Korea, right? They seem like they have a lot of guts. But, Roy, I can’t approve ten million dollars. I can’t even if I wanted to. I have to report to the CEO and the board, and get a decision. I’ve read your proposal carefully. But that’s not enough. I can’t convince you.”

This is the problem with dealing with experts.

Especially veterans who have been out of the field for a long time.

Although probabilistic judgment may be as accurate as AI due to its extensive experience, its ability to respond is significantly reduced when variables outside the chart appear.

He wanted to make a stronger appeal, but if he did, it would seem as if he was really scared and would assume that he was doing this. Roy Sanders kept his mouth shut.

Doug Pullman had already made up his mind.

I explained it clearly in the opinion…

No matter what happens, I plan to go to court.

“Roy, the executives and staff you’re calling as witnesses have signed an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). Even if you call them to the stand, they won’t say anything because they’re afraid of the billions of won in compensation. It’s impossible to get an astronomical compensation verdict based on records alone without testimony. It’s not like you said you wouldn’t settle. We have the advantage. Fight a public opinion war? Just tell them to. If they endure the first few weeks, they can fight back. We know more reporters than you.”

“···.”

“There’s nothing to lose at Kaiser Dutton Hill. If they insist on fighting and shedding blood, then let’s fight. The law firm over there is playing a game where they can’t get a penny if they lose, but Kaiser Dutton isn’t like that. Don’t worry about it and just send in your associates. It sucks, but what can you do? This is what happens when you do big business.”

“···All right.”

“exorcism.”

He had no choice but to answer, but it didn’t relieve the heaviness on his shoulders.

-*-

Roy Sanders returns to the office.

For a while, nothing else comes into my hands.

The situation is not satisfactory.

He offered Han Beom-sang five million dollars.

Considering Kim & Kang’s legal fees and the client’s satisfaction, it seemed like a settlement was possible for that amount.

I would go back and try to convince Doug Pullman no matter what, even if it meant asking for a million dollars more.

However, Han Beom-sang held on to the ten million dollars.

After meeting him, I recommended a ten million dollar settlement to PIC.

I didn’t feel good.

That feeling became more certain when I met him face to face.

There are obviously other cards.

‘What could it be?’

I don’t know.

And that’s not all.

What made him even more uneasy was the lawyer named Han Beom-sang.

No matter how confident a partner is, when he has so many associates do the work, he is bound to feel a little anxious that he might be missing something, but the Han Beom-sang he observed showed no such signs.

As if he had personally reviewed each and every one of them,

He was as confident as if he had already seen the outcome of this incident and returned.

It was different from being immature and showing off.

That obviously means there’s a hidden card.

So, even though I had somewhat anticipated Doug Pullman’s reaction, I expressed my opinion in that way.

Let’s settle even if it costs ten million dollars.

The submitted opinion was persuasive.

It was clearly stated that in the worst case scenario, damages could amount to more than ten million dollars.

If it was an opinion paper of that level, it would have been worthwhile to at least put it on the agenda for the board meeting.

Doug Pullman declined.

When did I become so stubborn?

He was once a very smart lawyer.

As he put it, Kaiser Dutton can now afford to hire a large team of lawyers to defend a ten million dollar claim.

That doesn’t mean Kaiser Dutton has nothing to lose.

Kaiser Dutton Hill, ‘New York’s old guard’

Senior attorney in the top 3 insurance attorneys.

The opponent is Kim & Kang, a law firm in the outskirts.

It’s a branch office that only has four lawyers.

The person in charge is a Korean lawyer who is an international student and took on the case on a pro bono basis.

If an incident like this happens, it will be made into a movie.

Tiring- Tiring-

-Yes, sir.

“Tell all the insurance team lawyers to gather in the conference room.”

I don’t want to be the other side’s supporting lawyer.

Roy Sanders raised his spear.

-All of them?

Like it or not, once I open the window, I have no intention of losing.

I will stab you with all my might.

“10 minutes later. All.”

.

.

.

Three months later,

New York State Courts.

Jaehong Park v. PIC Insurance Insurance Claims Litigation Date.

“The Claimant calls as a witness Doug Pullman, current General Counsel and former Head of Claims Division Legal at PIC Insurance.”

Han Beom-sang took out a secret card.

A thick wrinkle formed on Roy Sanders’ forehead.

Ordinary Witness Statement

New York State Courts.

Jaehong Park v. PIC Insurance Insurance Claims Litigation,

Witness examination date.

“Witness, please state your name and title.”

“Doug Pullman, legal director at PIC Insurance.”

Like any witness examination, Doug Pullman’s questioning began with questions about his name, title, and background.

“How long have you been with PIC Insurance?”

“23 years.”

“How long have you been serving as legal director?”

“It’s been 11 years.”

A civil lawsuit with ten million dollars at stake.

Maybe something bigger is at stake.

Although they try to act relaxed, the atmosphere inside the courtroom is as heavy as a criminal trial.

“Before that, you worked as the head of the claims department legal team for 7 years and as the head of the underwriting department for 5 years, right?”

“yes.”

Everyone in the courtroom, including the judge and jury, was focused on the witness and the Korean lawyer conducting the questioning.

Among them was the gaze of Manhattan Voice reporter Tom Brent, who was sitting in the audience.

Beomsang calmly continued asking the next question.

“Since Witness joined the company, PIC Insurance has been growing steadily. The company, which used to occupy about 3% of the U.S. property insurance market, has grown to 18% in 20 years, competing for the first and second place in the industry, and has recently shown remarkable growth in the life insurance market as well. When I listened to the opinions of people in the same industry, they said that Witness played a big role in PIC Insurance’s growth. What do you think?”

“Haha- I would be honored if you thought so.”

As expected, he is skilled.

Roy Sanders, the defense attorney, pricked up his ears and waited for a useful counterpoint during cross-examination.