Page 29

“Jesus, no!” Imagine having to have the dirtiest weekend of my life added to the public record. Oh, god.
“Why not?”
“Can you imagine going to the Alliance with this?”
“Well, you can’t win either way, because they’re going to want to know why you’re stepping down. They adore you andthey wouldn’t take you recusing yourself lightly. They’ll be devastated.”
God fucking dammit!
“So go public, run the case, win and take all the glory. Step down, lie to the Alliance about your reason, and watch all that land wiped away under concrete and steel. Think of the frogs, Scarlett.”
“I guess I don’t really have a choice.”
“Sorry.”
CHAPTER 15
Rhett
Ihave never, in all my years on this planet, experienced as much joy as I did when I received a letter from one Scarlett Wright, Attorney at Law.
Wright & Hayes Environmental Law
123 Pine Street Esperance, NC 12345
Mr. Rhett Rivers
Rivers Enterprises 456 Corporate Avenue Raleigh, NC 54321
RE: Informed Consent- Alliance for Susceptible Species (ASS) v. Rivers Enterprises
Dear Mr. Rivers,
I am writing to you on a sensitive matter regarding the ongoing legal dispute between my firm, Wright & Hayes Environmental Law, acting for the Alliance for Susceptible Species (ASS) and Rivers Enterprises. As you are aware, ourfirms have been engaged in a dispute over the proposed development on the Henderson property.
This letter is to formally disclose that this past weekend, you and I engaged in an intimate personal relationship while attending the wedding of your brother, Mr. Grayson Rivers, and his wife, Mrs. Stefania Rivers.
I understand that this creates a potential conflict of interest, as I am the lead attorney representing the Alliance for Susceptible Species (ASS) in this case. However, after careful consideration and consultation with my partner, Ms. Cassidy Hayes, we believe there may be a path forward that would allow me to continue handling this matter.
Specifically, I am requesting your written consent to remain as counsel for the Alliance, despite our personal involvement. This would be in accordance with the legal doctrine of “informed consent”, whereby all parties acknowledge the potential conflict and agree that I may continue to zealously represent my client’s interests.
If you are agreeable to providing such consent, I would ask that you please respond to this letter confirming the following:
1. You are aware that I have engaged in a personal relationship with you, which creates a potential conflict of interest in my representation of the Alliance for Susceptible Species (ASS) in the ongoing case against Rivers Enterprises.
2. Despite this potential conflict, you consent to me continuing as lead counsel for the Alliance in this matter.
3. You understand that I will be required to maintain the strictest standards of professionalism going forward, and thatour personal relationship must remain entirely separate from the legal proceedings.
Upon receipt of your written confirmation, I will submit this disclosure to the court overseeing the case, as well as provide a copy to the Alliance for Susceptible Species (ASS) for their awareness and consent.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this request. I am committed to resolving this matter in an ethical and professional manner.
Sincerely,
Ms. Scarlett Wright
Wright & Hayes Environmental Law