L.A. Law (TV Series)

Blood, Sweat and Fears (1990)

Richard Dysart: Leland McKenzie

Quotes 

• Leland McKenzie : I want to thank you all for staying late.

  Michael Kuzak : So what's going on, Leland?

  Leland McKenzie : This. Effective as of this Friday. I am resigning as Senior Partner of this law firm.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : What?

  Ann Kelsey : Leland.

  Leland McKenzie : I'll stay on as of Counsel. But one of you will have to take over.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Are you sick?

  Leland McKenzie : No, no. I'm not sick. My health has nothing to do with it.

  Ann Kelsey : Then what? What possible reason could you have for dropping this kind of bomb on us?

  Leland McKenzie : Because for some time now, I've hated to come into work, Ann. People keep threatening to quit. People tell me to go to hell. The place is splitting at the scenes and I can't be the one to hold it together very long.

  Arnie Becker : So what are we supposed to do?

  Leland McKenzie : You'll elect the new Senior Partner, that's what you'll do.

  Ann Kelsey : Who? Who here can do this job?

  Leland McKenzie : Anybody but me.

  Michael Kuzak : Well, you can't do this, Leland.

  Leland McKenzie : Oh, yes, I can. I'm old. I'm rich. I'm done.

  [Leland resign as Senior Partner and going for to nominate and electing the next Senior Partner for the upcoming Election Day. Leland heads and leave the Conference Room Meeting] 

• Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Proceeding along, Parral vs. Dayan. Victor?

  Victor Sifuentes : Yes. The hospital has settled out, leaving just the good doctor. We've offered 40,000, but they've rejected.

  Jonathan Rollins : Isn't 40,000 a little low for wrongful death?

  Victor Sifuentes : Well, the victim was terminal anyway, Jonathan, so the damage claims a little weak. Start today.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Keep us surprised. People vs. Earl Williams. Uno más.

  Michael Kuzak : Motion to dismissed Wednesday.

  Leland McKenzie : Any chance of getting this kicked?

  Michael Kuzak : Slim, but Pinto has been seen in the PI's, I'm working with expect to find him.

  Leland McKenzie : And then?

  Michael Kuzak : I questioned him. Which reminds me, if I did find the guy, and I need somebody to be there with me when I talk to him. I may need an impeachment witness down the road.

  [Victor can't. He got his own case. Jonathan will help] 

  Jonathan Rollins : I can do it.

  Michael Kuzak : Good.

• Douglas Brackman, Jr. : I wasn't going to say anything, but there's no way I can just swallow it. You betrayed me, Leland.

  Leland McKenzie : Excuse me?

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : How many times we talked about? Your turning over the reins to me. "Pretty soon, it'll be your firm, Douglas". How many times have you said that?

  Leland McKenzie : You got my vote, Douglas.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : But not your endorsement. You could have sat down with me beforehand. We could have mapped out a transition, and you could have coupled your announcement with a recommendation. But you didn't do that. Instead, you invited everyone to throw his or her hat in the ring.

  Leland McKenzie : You can't expect me to mandate how the others should feel.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : You've made a career out of mandating and steering people in directions, you wanted them to go in for my money, you were staring them here, too. You're non endorsement was conspicuous, Leland.

  Leland McKenzie : Senior Partners don't have it given to them, Douglas. You want that job? You go out there. You take it. Now, you've got my vote. If you can't muster the support of your colleagues, that's not my problem.

• Leland McKenzie : Jonathan told me what happened this morning.

  [Kuzak is reading. Leland will grab a seat and talk] 

  Leland McKenzie : Needless to say, I was shocked. Terribly shocked.

  Michael Kuzak : Well, I guess we both been shocking each other these days.

  [Leland was patient] 

  Michael Kuzak : Earl's desperate. I don't know what's gonna happen if this thing goes on much longer.

  Leland McKenzie : What happened this morning makes me worry about you, Michael. I think you're too close to this thing. Maybe you should step back. But Victor's pay you a little...

  Michael Kuzak : Oh, Victor's in trial, he can't do it. No, I've got to do this, Leland, I'm the one of those about this case. And what happened today will not happen again, I promise you that.