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