The Law Firm, Episode 5: A Horse of a Different Color

I'll be filling in for RNO's normal recapper, C. Brian Devinney, as he travels the guest speaking circuit at various RNO "How to Tell Folks What You Really Think," seminars for the next couple of weeks. Thankfully, I am well versed in law! I have watched lots of Court TV and was mesmerized by the O.J. trial. Let's get on with the show!

One by one, the contestants enter the reception area of the Law Firm. Chris says it's his opportunity to show Mr. Black that he's not standing on the sidelines, and that he's capable of being the winner of the competition. Not knowing how the teams are going to be paired is filling Deep with nervousness and apprehension. He doesn't like working with Michael and finds him to be a pompous egomaniac. Olivier says he is coming off a pathetic losing streak and he's due for a win. Aileen shares with each passing day the stakes get higher. There's no room to have an off day. There's no room for anything but your very best. The one person Michael hopes he doesn't have to work or be friendly with is Deep. Things have gotten hostile between the two.

The final five contestants are greeted by the Cute Perky Receptionist Who Has Far More Personality Than Anyone On This Show, and pick their gavels before assembling in the lounge. They notice that four of the gavels have blue handles while only one gavel has white. The CPRWHFMPTAOTS (receptionist) enters the lounge with a memo from Mr. Black. Aileen, the holder of the white ended gavel, reads the memo. "Today you will participate in the selection of teams. You must now decide which of you will partner with Aileen on this week's case. All five of you have a vote. You will make a choice and seal it in the envelopes provided."

Michael is voted, by the unanimous decision, to be Aileen's teammate. Chris doesn't know if this was a smart move, they are both very strong attorneys. Olivier picked Mike because he doesn't think either Deep or Chris have the experience, know how, or personality to be a top lawyer. He thinks he can outshine both of them, which could guarantee him another week.

Mr. Black greets the attorneys and describes their next case. It's off to the races with Palmer v. MPHRA (Montana Paint Horse Racing Association). On a projection screen, Roy Black shows us Fabulous Starbaby, a champion horse who recently lost an important race. He explains, the owners of Starbaby, the Palmers, claim the winning horse, A Whole Lotta Shakin’, wasn't qualified to race. The breeding value of Starbaby has plummeted since losing. The Palmers are now suing the racing association for allowing A Whole Lotta Shakin’ to enter the race. Roy Black points out the case files in the center of the conference table. Whichever file the teams select will be the client they represent. This will be a jury trial. Black reminds them, "At the end of the case, one associate will be dismissed. Good luck." As Black turns to leave, he says, "By the way, the Palmers expect their team to be at their ranch in Montana this afternoon. The private jet is on the runway and will take off in one hour."

Aileen and Michael, representing the Palmers, hop the jet to Montana. Michael thinks it's a bit overwhelming to be going to Montana when they have a trial on Friday. He says if anyone can handle it, he and Aileen can. They have to establish that Starbaby would have been worth a lot more money had she won the race rather than lost it. First, they have to find out what Paint horses are!

The Defense team realizes that Michael and Aileen will be wasting a lot of time traveling to Montana. It's important for them to make this advantage work for them. Chris isn't worried about them. Olivier reminds his team that they are all members of the defense, and they don't carry the burden. Unfortunately, if they lose this case they will be the biggest idiots. They, too, have to figure out Paint horse racing.

Aileen and Michael meet up with Mitch and Toby Palmer at their Montana ranch in the middle of a windstorm. Toby explains that paint horses can be solid or colored, and can be crossed with a quarter horse or thoroughbred. "If you have a purebred quarter horse, and your horse ends up having a spot on it, the Quarter Horse Association won't register it." She says, "What's happening is that you can make just about any rules you want." Aileen, while spending her time trying to keep her skirt from blowing up over her ears, says the Palmers seemed to be speaking Chinese at times. She was trying to focus (I don't think the hay and dirt blowing in her mouth was of help to her), but was only picking up bits and pieces.

Meanwhile, Olivier, Chris, and Deep are also visiting their clients, defendants Mike and Paula, who started the Montana Paint Race Horse Association. They expect to find out not only the details of this case, but also what defines a "Paint" horse. Mike explains that the color of the horse is part of it, but the horse also has to be from a registered paint, or registered quarter horse. Olivier explains to us, "It is a specific breed of horse with spots, usually with white and another color." Mike and Paula had started the MPRHA because some of them had paint horses with no place to race them. Mike explains that the Palmers won the majority of the races and wanted to win them all. Olivier asks if the winning horse was a quarter horse? Paula says the horse was registered as a paint, because of his coloring.

Back in Montana, Michael asks the Palmers, "Besides from hurt feelings, can you verify any financial losses?" Mitch explains that Starbaby is a champion. She won everything legitimately, except for what A Whole Lotta Shakin’ took away from her. When this happened, Mitch was furious, so he called Mike and said it wasn't right! This is his life, what he involves his money and time in. This is not a little thing to Mitch! He claims that he attended a MPHRA meeting and voted to have a one-paint parent rule! Unfortunately, no one else remembers the meeting or the vote, and the minutes of the meeting and records have disappeared. A horse smartly takes a nip out of Michael's arm.