Explain It Like I'm Five

Summer 2021, Week 4

Thursday morning

Law Offices of Kenneth Justin Warren, City Centre

Storyteller

It had just hit 10 o'clock. The stream of Lawyers coming in at 9 had ended, coffee wafted through the air as did the subtle hints of long nights and alcohol. Even well designed suits and expensive cologne couldn't cover everything. The office was as anyone would expect. Luxurious. It was a purposeful design. Some offices aimed to seem homey. Others wanted to seem serious. The Law Offices of JJ Bronson catered to specific clients. The kinds with either deep pockets or the ability to make money appear from thin air--the very best type of clients--City Officials.   The first floor of the building was dedicated to the front desk, where a serious but attractive young man sat to greet--and herd in or out depending on their status--clients or potentials when they first walked in. The floor also held meeting rooms and places that Lawyers or Staff could come down from on high and grace those in trouble with their expert knowledge. This is where a certain woman would be waiting after arriving to speak with someone about a certain document.  

Sloane Whittier

'Jesus, he's gotta be as good as they say he is or he wouldn't be able to afford this setup, that's for sure. Here's hoping.' She walked into building and was immediately thankful that she'd dressed as if she were going to City Hall. 'It would have been funny if I showed up in my yoga pants and a bun though, not gonna lie. Wonder how quick they would've turned me right back around.' She smiled at her inner monologue and just turned it into a friendly greeting as she approached the front desk.   "Hi there, I'm Sloane Whittier. I was referred to Mr. Warren from some colleagues at City Hall. I have a document I'm hoping he could look at for me. I know I don't have an appointment so if he's busy, I'm more than happy to make one. I just needed to get out of the house, a bit stir crazy today." 'Oh my god, shut up. Oversharing.' She was clutching the folder with the document like it was a lifeline and hoped for the best.  

Storyteller

The receptionist gave her a stoic stare, not one of dismissal or acceptance given the dual nature of what she just said. From City Hall, plus. No appointment, minus. Looking at Mr. Warren’ schedule, the empty space for today made it so she wasn’t immediately dismissed. “I’ll take you to a waiting room while I reach out to him. If he can make it, he’ll come down. Otherwise we will schedule another time.” The smile was fake, but at least they were making an effort. Showing Sloane to a well furnished waiting area with a table for six and water nearby, Sloane was left for ten minutes before there was a knock on the door.  

K. Justin Warren

Entering through the door was a fairly tall man wearing a refined two piece, dark blue suit. Complimented with a light blue suit and a dark tie, the suit was obviously tailored to fit securely on his slight broad frame. The sides of his head were trimmed, but the long strands of black hair that fell from the top almost touched his eyes. It was almost like a maintained ‘unkempt’ fashion. Like he didn’t want to seem too put together.   His eyes were a cold blue that found Sloane as soon as he wandered into the room. “Ms. Whittier, yes? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Justin Warren. Im told you wanted to show me a document?” The details of what the receptionist had told him was all that was floating at the top of his mind. Everything unrelated was pushed deeper.  

Sloane Whittier

Standing as he entered the room, she offered him a handshake. "Yes, Sloane Whittier, that's right. Thanks for seeing me today, Mr. Warren. I really appreciate it. I normally wouldn't just show up like this. Just had a weird circumstance and I was hoping to get some insight on it sooner rather than later."   Assuming he accepted the handshake, she'd sit back down and push the folder towards him across the table. "I met with someone recently. They'd like me to do some... work... with them. Asked that I sign an NDA. I want to know if it's in my best interest and if there's anything in particular that I should be looking for." Inside the folder was this document.  

K. Justin Warren

Taking the proffered hand and giving it a shake, Sloane would notice the man's skin was a tad cold but not unreasonably so. Like he came out of a cold office. "Let's see if I can be of any help." Sitting across from her, he took the file and opened it up, reading as she talked. His lips moved at a rapid pace as he seemed the read through the legal document, eyebrow raising at certain points and a frown appearing once. After about five minutes, he looked up. "Well, Ms. Whittier, this appears to be a boiler plate NDA with some minor alterations. Some I personally wouldn't have made but that might benefit you. See here, the definition of Confidential Information, it is information owned by both members. Typically you have it listed as 'shared to' or 'brought into.' This lets a party bring a slew of information under the NDA. But here, it has to be information you both know or own. So that leaves you the opportunity to not share information and not have it under the NDA."   "As for adjustments, there are some I would make but they don't largely affect the outcome. Overall, it's a pretty lose NDA. Allowing for you to read in Need to Know parties without consent so long as they are disclosed, among other things. At least from my quick review."   "Did you have any particular concerns about the document that brought you here?"  

Sloane Whittier

All of the legal terms left her with somewhat of a blank look on her face. She paused, her mouth opening and closing a few times before she finally found her words. "Well, the NDA was given to me by someone I've had no dealings with thus far. Someone I'm not entirely sure I should trust. He's asking me to sign this before he gives me any more information about what it is he's needing from me. Now that normally would just have me saying no way Jose, but I admit he's peaked my interest and I really want to see what he has to say."   The quizzical look had left while she was explaining the situation, but now it was back. "So... let me just... make sure I understand this. If he tells me something I didn't know before signing this NDA and it ends up being something that could be dire to share with a third party, I would be allowed to tell said third party...? Without breaking the NDA? Do I have that right? I haven't had any sort of exposure to this sort of thing so I just... want to make sure... because you spouted a lot of legalese at me."  

K. Justin Warren

"It's my job to spout legalese, Ms. Whittier." He said with a thin smile. "But you're right to suggest its then my job to translate. The best answer to your question? Maybe. Yes that's what the NDA says in my eyes. The law, however, is not as clear as we all want it to be. In specific response to your question about dire news, the NDA has the provision you can read that third party into the agreement. That part is clear and a court would agree. So all you would have to do is tell the second party you're going to read them in per the NDA as 'need to know.'"   Holding out his hands he did a little shrug. "As for the rest, Ms. Whittier that's why lawyers exist. My interpretation is one as someone seeking to help you. So I read the NDA and find a loose document that allows you plenty of room. Another lawyer would see a medium document that has limitation. Personally I think my position is one I could argue and win before a court, which is what matter. That said, to put it plainly, assume you can't tell anyone you want everything you hear, but assume the NDA allows you to add parties. That's the clearest path."  

Sloane Whittier

'I know he'd be an interesting read, but it's bad form. Don't do it, Sloane. Don't peek in his mind. It's rude and he hasn't done anything to warrant it. Ughhhh. Why do I gotta have morals?' "Well thank you again, Mr. Warren. I think that's the answer I came for. Here's hoping it works out for me in the end." She slapped her hands down on her knees as if she was going to stand up and then thought better of it, turning back to him with a questioning look.   "Let's say this doesn't work out perfectly and I need your services later. What is it that you charge and would you be willing to take me on? In fact, it might be nice to have a lawyer I can call on in case anything else comes up. Never know what trouble a girl might get herself into in this city."  

K. Justin Warren

Smiling thinly, Justin nodded at the question having expected it. "I typically charge $350 an hour, but we can always work something out depending on the situation and how much work it takes. For example, this session wouldn't have taken more than $25." Pulling his card out of his suit pocket, he held it out for Sloane. "If you ever need me, give me a call."  

Sloane Whittier

She reached out and took the proffered card, glancing it over. "Sounds reasonable enough. Thanks. I have a feeling I'll be doing just that some day. You said $25? What sort of methods of payment do you accept? I've got them all." She crossed her legs as she pulled out her wallet, sticking the card in one of the pockets.  

K. Justin Warren

Holding up his hand, Justin shook his head slightly. “Consultations are always free the first time. That’s what we will chalk this up to. That and you saved me from a rather unengaging meeting anyways. Call it even, Ms. Whittier.” His words were kind but someone as powerful as Sloane would sense his organized thoughts as if they were being screamed at her. They weren’t passive, weren’t calm normal thinking patterns. It was as if a man was on a mountain screaming out every action Justin was taking. From his mannerisms to his words to his schedule. And that’s how it was in his mind, everyday, at every hour. Normalcy on the highest volume until he turned it off. “If you’d like and should you find my services worthwhile we can always set up a retainer so you can pay in as you need or want. But that’s a conversation for the future.”  

Sloane Whittier

"Well ok then, we're even. Thanks for everything today and let's hope I don't get myself into the kind of trouble where I'll need to call you anytime soon. But I've got your number just in case." Standing, she reached over and gathered the document from him. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Mr. Warren. I'll be sure to pay it forward and put your name out there if I know of anyone looking for a man of your talents. Have a good one." She smiled and headed on out of his office.  

K. Justin Warren

Waiting for her to leave the office, he slumped back in the chair and let out a sigh. For a brief moment, a micro-second, he let the mask slip and the flood of other voices filled his head before he slammed the mental door shut and stood up. Time to work on discover for Mr. Anderson. Then a mediation this afternoon for Ms. Ivers. A lot to do. A lot of focus to hold.