Chapter 7: Law Partners
"Law partners?" Edmund looked down, continuing to read in surprise.
The partnership system was actually reflected in various industries across Loen. For instance, several people might partner to open a company, or buy a boat together to go fishing at sea. Strictly speaking, even the Pirate Kings, Pirate Admirals, and the pirates under them were a form of partners. The Adrian Law Firm, founded by Edmund and Mason, was also an embodiment of the partnership system—though Edmund wasn't a lawyer himself and was only responsible for daily operations.
The "Law Partner" concept proposed by Rolls was essentially distributing a portion of the firm's shares to the most outstanding barristers. This would allow them to earn a share of the firm's profits on top of their fixed salary and case commissions. Over a year, this could result in an extra dozen or even a hundred pounds of income. The extra money was secondary; the main goal was to tie these people firmly to the law firm.
"It is indeed a good idea." Edmund put away his lorgnette and rubbed his brow. "But at the moment, it isn't necessary."
"Not necessary?" Rolls felt a bit surprised. He had expected Edmund to accept it, as this was one of the few things he remembered from the legal industry in his previous life. After all, in TV dramas, when lawyers weren't fighting for love, they were fighting for a partnership.
"If you had proposed this plan right when you took over the firm, I certainly would have agreed. But now, it's unnecessary." Edmund sighed. If only this plan had existed back then.
Looking at Rolls's confused expression, Edmund felt as if he were seeing the Mason of years past. Though the father and son had a terrible relationship, they both had great talent for the law—and both were like Curly-Haired Baboons when it came to business management.
"After Mason passed away, even though you took over the firm, other firms were constantly headhunting our staff. Many of our barristers and solicitors were wavering. To keep them from leaving, I not only raised their salaries but also promised that you wouldn't interfere with the firm's daily operations, just as it was when Mason was alive."
Edmund waved the paper in his hand and sighed. "Currently, the weekly salary of our senior solicitors has reached 4 pounds, with an annual income nearing 400 pounds. Most of our barristers earn around 1,200 pounds a year. This is already the highest compensation a law firm in Backlund can offer."
I would have had to come up with the idea back then for that to work! Rolls thought helplessly. He continued, "Then wouldn't this be better? Our firm would attract even more barristers and solicitors."
"That depends on what you're thinking." Edmund set the paper down. "If you want to continue being a lawyer forever like your father did, you can certainly do this."
"My father?" The original owner of this body had a terrible relationship with his father; they could get into an argument within a few sentences. The two never spoke about the law firm. It was Edmund who often told him about interesting cases the firm handled, which led the original owner to the path of a lawyer despite the friction with his father.
"Yes." Edmund let out a long breath and leaned back on the sofa, seemingly lost in memory.
"That was the fifth year after we founded the firm. Everything was on the right track, and the firm just needed to be managed slowly without much effort. Mason had gotten married, and your mother was pregnant with you. For your sakes, he intended to become a judge in the High Court."
In Loen, all judges (except part-time Justices of the Peace) had to be appointed from lawyers who graduated from the four major Inns of Court. To serve as a District Court judge, one must have no less than 7 years of experience as a barrister; for the High Court, no less than 10 years as a barrister or 2 years as a District Court judge; for the Court of Appeal, no less than 15 years as a barrister or 2 years as a High Court judge.
At that time, Mason Adrian already had over 15 years of experience as a barrister and was a renowned big-name lawyer in Backlund. A nomination for the Court of Appeal might have required a wait, but a High Court nomination was relatively easy.
"Your father had already received the nomination, but your mother passed away after giving birth to you. Because of that, Mason didn't choose to become a judge. Instead, he stayed a lawyer, choosing to fill his life with endless cases. His health was already poor, and coupled with the emotional breakdown from your mother's passing and taking on so many cases, he passed away at such a young age."
Edmund's eyes grew moist, and the tip of his nose reddened. To him, Mason was more than just a friend; he had saved him, allowing him to escape the fate of being a mere etiquette teacher, while his brother—who had inherited the title of Baron—had died early due to a life of indulgence.
"I think Father must be happy now. He and Mother will surely find eternal peace in the Goddess's Kingdom," Rolls could only say this. The original owner's bond with his father was thin, and he had no memory of his mother. To the current Rolls, it was even thinner. He only hoped the Evernight Goddess, a fellow transmigrator, would take good care of his parents.
Edmund took out a handkerchief, wiped the corners of his eyes, and looked at Rolls. "How long has it been since you went to Saint Samuel Cathedral to pray?"
"Uh... since I attended the Moon Mass last month, it's been about a month."
Rolls froze instantly. Since transmigrating, he had been busy being terrified and then experimenting with his abilities; he had no time to go to church. Furthermore, as a transmigrator, let alone going to the Saint Samuel Cathedral in the North District—which belonged to the Goddess known as the "Mother of Concealment"—even when he went to the Magistrate's Court in the Cherwood District today, he had taken a detour around the Cathedral of Serenity. He was terrified that if he got too close, the Lord of Storms would sense the uncontrollable irreverent thoughts in his mind and strike him down.
"Mm."
Edmund was a believer of the Lord of Storms, so it wasn't appropriate for him to urge Rolls to go to Saint Samuel's more often. He stiffly pulled the topic back: "Do you plan to remain a lawyer in the future, or become a judge?"
"Uh, I haven't considered that yet, Uncle Robert."
If it weren't for the impending Apocalypse, and if the original owner hadn't been drawn into the Beyonder world, Rolls would have been content to be a lawyer for a dozen years, get a judge's nomination, and live out his life smoothly. But with the Apocalypse coming and himself already a Beyonder with unknown secrets, how could he live such a life?
Edmund nodded. "True, you've only been a lawyer for two years. However, you should start thinking about it early, as it concerns the future development of the Adrian family."
Rolls lowered his head and responded with silence.