The Firm

Mitch and his wife, Abby, visit Memphis. Lamar Quin gives Mitch a tour of the impressive office building while Abby has brunch with Kay Quin. Mitch loves everything he sees and hears, while Abby is put off by the control the firm places on the wives of their lawyers. Abby doesn’t like that the firm discourages wives from working and encourages them to have children quickly. However, she likes the mortgage the firm sponsors for their lawyers and enjoys spending the afternoon hunting for a house. At the end of his tour, Mitch is given a rundown of benefits the firm offers, including a generous salary, paid vacations that include free housing in specific locations, a retirement plan, a BMW lease, and a sign on bonus for the purchase of new clothing.

The fifth floor of the Bendini Building houses the fortified offices of the security department. Oliver Lambert visits with the head of security, DeVasher, who tells him his men watched the McDeeres closely during their weekend visit. DeVasher assures Oliver that Mitch liked what he saw and was more than likely to accept the job. He also assures Oliver that Mitch and Abby’s marriage is an affectionate one. The two men also discuss two other employees, Kozinski and Hodge. DeVasher tells Oliver that the two men have been approached by the FBI, specifically an agent named Wayne Tarrance, and that they are considering talking. Lou Lazarov in New York is concerned and wants the two men dealt with.

Mitch and Abby load up a “U-Haul rental truck” (44) with their belongings and make the long drive to Memphis. When they arrive, they move into their new, 3,000 square-foot home with their new BMW parked outside. An interior designer comes by and helps them pick out new furniture at a local store. Afterward, they go to Lamar Quin’s home for dinner, only to learn that two of the firm’s lawyers, Marty Kozinski and Joe Hodge, were killed while on Grand Cayman. Lamar is particularly devastated by this news, as Marty was a close friend. Four days later, Mitch and Abby attend the funerals with the rest of the firm.

Mitch meets with Royce McKnight, Oliver Lambert, Victor Milligan, and Avery Tolar on his first morning on the job. Royce informs Mitch that Avery Tolar has been assigned as his supervisor and mentor. He is reminded again that he must focus on studying for the bar exam over the next six weeks with help from the partners. He is told his secretary will be Nina Huff, and that his office will be on the second floor close to Lamar. Finally, Royce says that the firm will be paying off Mitch’s school loans so that he does not have to worry about such mundane things.

Avery takes Mitch to lunch and explains the expectations of the firm. Mitch must prioritize his billing over all else, and he is expected to bill at least five hours a day while studying for the bar exam. Mitch is told there are no set work hours, but he is encouraged to work as many hours as possible. When Mitch speaks to Lamar later, he is told that most of the lawyers at the firm bill for more hours than they work and that it is an acceptable practice among lawyers. Lamar states that to be made partner, Mitch will have to log more than 60 billable hours a week for several years before he will even be considered.