Sycamore Row - John Grisham

taken. He shook hands with Wade Lanier, Stillman Rush, and the other lawyers for the
contestants. “Looks like we have a bit of a problem,” he said to Stillman, nodding at
Buckley and the lawyers from Memphis. “Good luck,” Stillman said.
Jake made the snap decision to avoid a confrontation. He eased out of the courtroom
and worked his way back to the judge’s chambers. Herschel Hubbard arrived with his
two children and some friends. They sat near Ian and Ramona. As the clock approached
9:00, the courtroom settled down. It was almost perfectly segregated—blacks on one
side, whites on the other. Lucien, of course, sat on the black side, back in the rear.
Jake returned and stood alone near a door next to the jury box. He spoke to no one,
but instead managed to flip nonchalantly through a document. At 9:05, Mr. Pate barked,
“All rise for the court,” and Judge Atlee made his entrance, his old faded black robe
trailing behind him. He took his place, said, “Please be seated,” then looked around the
courtroom. He looked and looked, frowned and frowned, but said nothing. He glanced
at Jake, glared at Buckley and Sistrunk and Bost, and then picked up a sheet of paper.
He called the roll of lawyers; all were present and accounted for, a total of ten.
He pulled his microphone even closer and said, “First a bit of housekeeping. Mr.
Buckley, you have filed a notice of entry into this matter as local counsel for the
Memphis firm of Sistrunk & Bost, is that correct?”
Buckley, ever eager to stand and be heard, bounced to his feet and said, “That’s
correct, Your Honor. I—”
“And after that it appears as though you and your associated counsel filed a boatload
of motions, all to be considered here today. Is that correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor, and I would like to—”
“Excuse me. And Mr. Brigance has filed a motion objecting to your entry into this case
based on your lack of experience, skill, and knowledge in these matters, correct?”
“A completely frivolous objection, Your Honor, as you can plainly see. A lawyer in
this state is not required to—”
“Excuse me, Mr. Buckley. You filed your notice of entry, Mr. Brigance objected, and so
that means I need to rule on his objection. I have not yet done so, and until then you are
not properly recognized as an attorney of record in this matter. Follow me?”
“Your Honor, Mr. Brigance’s objection is so frivolous it deserves to be sanctioned. In
fact, I am in the process of preparing a demand for sanctions.”
“Don’t waste your time, Mr. Buckley. Sit down and listen to me.” He waited until
Buckley sat down. Judge Atlee’s dark eyes narrowed and the deep wrinkles in his
forehead grew tighter. He never lost his cool but he could show a flash of anger that
frightened every lawyer within fifty yards. “You are not properly before this court, Mr.
Buckley, so neither are you, Mr. Sistrunk, nor you, Mr. Bost. However, you have
assumed control of my courtroom by taking your positions. You are not the lawyers for
this estate. Mr. Brigance is, duly and officially ordered by me. You may one day become
the attorneys for the proponents of this will, but you’re not there yet.” His words were
slow, pointed, harsh, and quite easy to follow. They echoed around the courtroom and
had the complete attention of everyone who heard them.
Jake couldn’t suppress a smile. He had no idea his frivolous, obnoxious, even