I have recently seen numerous posts by attorneys with “justice” as their theme. The statement is usually something like “our client obtained justice.” Then the dollar amount of the jury verdict is highlighted, which is usually a substantial amount. Thus, implying that substantial $ = justice or that justice = substantial $. But is this true? Well maybe….
In context, the word “justice,” when used as a noun (i.e. “our client obtained justice.”), is the idea of “the proper administration of law.” It is the “constant and perpetual disposition of legal matters or disputes to render every man his due.”
Thus, a verdict that is the result of a properly empaneled jury that renders its decision based on properly admitted facts and after being properly instructed on the law is by definition “justice.” This is so regardless of the verdict being for the Plaintiff or the Defendant. This is so regardless of the verdict being “substantial” or “minimal.”
Two things come to mind with this topic. The first is the joke told by trial lawyers that goes “How did that [trail lawyer] get a 1-million-dollar verdict?” Response: “They had a 10-million-dollar case.” The second is a gender discrimination case we had about 15 years ago. Our client had worked for a local city as a paramedic. One of her employment requirements was to become firefighter qualified within 3 years. She had taken the firefighter exam, but did not pass. She requested an extension of the 3-year deadline, but the request was denied. So, she was terminated for failing to be firefighter qualified within 3 years.
She had sought counsel but was turned done by many law firms. While we knew it would be a difficult case, we decided to take it. We also agreed to take the case on a pure contingency fee basis as our client could not afford to pay for costs or attorneys’ fees.
We spent a year-and-a-half marshalling evidence. We propounded interrogatories, requests for admissions, request for production, and third-party subpoenas. We conducted numerous all-day depositions. We filed motions and had evidentiary hearings. Ultimately, we were able to get the case to trial. But at its conclusion, a defense verdict was rendered.
I will never forget our client saying to me “thank you for believing in me. I had my day in court.” While I know our client hoped for another outcome, she understood that justice had been rendered. So, a verdict for a substantial amount of money is justice. But so is a verdict for a minimal amount of money, as well as a defense verdict. That is the beauty of our constitutional jury system. Justice is “the proper administration of law.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of an unfair employment practice, please contact the employment lawyers at LaBar & Adams, P.A. at 407-835-8968 or www.labaradams.com.
