This is a story about both a renegade attorney and about his young associate who uncovers the unethical followed by the criminal behavior of his wayward boss. Brian Roth is a fictionalized version of the author when he first started practicing law in the 1980s in San Diego, California.

The events in this story are based on real situations he personally encountered or knew of, fictionalized true events that are woven into a story of good versus evil, right versus wrong, legal versus illegal. Names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty.

After passing the Bar, Brian Roth had no job offers, at least from conventional firms or government agencies. As a result, without any other offers, he takes an unusual hybrid associate job, which unfortunately was the only job he could get.

He starts work in a small San Diego law office working for Mr. Thomas Fair, an unconventional combative sole practitioner.

Mr. Fair, while outwardly appearing only a truculent narcissistic lawyer, is under the surface a much more sinister person as Brian slowly uncovers.

Even Brian, as a novice attorney, sees the wrong in his new boss’ actions and has to make difficult choices, choices to keep himself employed, choices to keep his Bar card, choices to stay alive. Just as many young adults begin their careers, as Brian Roth enters the legal world, he also enters into a personal relationship that culminates in him taking a dramatic step.

In both his personal life and his life as a new lawyer, Brian must react to circumstances that life has presented. This story proves the old adage, the truth is stranger than fiction.

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