“Hmm, this is more amazing than I thought.”
It’s not just that the legal precedent is good; it might also be that their trust in the materials I’m researching has increased, leading to such a reaction.
As Lawyer Yoon said, this case was about a tax imposed due to a donation.
But if you dig deeper, it’s much more complicated.
Because it’s a donation, but not really a donation, yet like a donation.
‘It’s like, “You’re mine, but not mine, yet like mine,” you know?’
How could such a case be common?
This is one of the reasons I covet this case.
Apart from lawyers being able to secure achievements, it can also leave a strong impression again.
That through my hands, even a losing case can be won, what was impossible can become possible, and unprecedented cases can be established.
‘Honestly, it’s hard to see this as a pure donation; there are quite a few issues with the intent.’
The party that acquired the company has quite a bit of an unfair side.
Though I don’t know for sure, Lawyer Yoon’s great-uncle must have been filled with endless rage after this incident broke out.
‘He must get angry every time he thinks about it.’
I mentally organized the prepared content, and like unwrapping a gift, I took out the rest of the materials one by one.
“Are all these materials found by Ms. Yoo-hee?”
“Yes, if it’s not too much trouble, would you mind looking at this too?”
“Trouble? It’s obvious you worked all weekend to find this.”
“That’s right, Lawyer Ahn. Ms. Yoo-hee must have gone through a lot of trouble.”
Lawyer Ahn and Lawyer Yoon took turns exclaiming in admiration.
But the loudest voice came from Lawyer Seo Il-hwa.
“Wow. So that’s why Lawyer Ahn praised Ms. Yoo-hee constantly. I wish I had a secretary like this too.”
“Hmm, if you know that, then look at it diligently with gratitude.”
“Okay!”
Lawyer Seo Il-hwa readily nodded.
And with hawk-like eyes, he scrutinized the legal precedents.
‘I hope we take this case after all this effort.’
I gazed at Lawyer Yoon, who was diligently reviewing the materials together next to Lawyer Seo.
‘If we go by this legal theory, it’s not like we can just shout that we’ll win. This is the best I can do.’
I prepared a lavish spread and presented it to Lawyer Yoon.
But if the recipient doesn’t eat it, there’s nothing else to do.
Because spoon-feeding is beyond my ability.
‘Please, let’s take this case!’
If I had my way, I’d really want to shout that…
I silently repeated these words dozens of times, gazing at the lawyers immersed in my materials.
Rustle, rustle.
There wasn’t even the slightest movement in the conference room.
Only the sound of flipping pages.
The lawyers, one by one, turned the pages with serious expressions.
Amidst that, I also reread what I had prepared.
How much time had passed like that?
The lawyers, one by one, lifted their heads from the materials I had given them.
“Lawyer Yoon, can you give me two more days for this? Even if we don’t take the case, it’s quite interesting, so I want to review it properly.”
Since today is Friday, he means he’ll review it more over the weekend.
I was a little surprised inside by his more active response than expected.
“That’s fine, but… If you’ve gone to such lengths and the case ends up elsewhere, I’ll feel too sorry.”
“Hmm, then feel a little sorry and move on. As I said earlier, it’s a family matter, so I can understand the burden.”
“Thank you, Lawyer Seo. Then, shamelessly, I ask for your favor.”
“I’ll take another look when I have time. Oh, by the way, you don’t need to feel sorry for me. We’ve worked on many cases together, and Lawyer Yoon has gone through quite a lot.”
“Oh, thank you so much.”
“Hey, Lawyer Ahn. I’ve worked more with Lawyer Yoon than you have, you know? What does that make me?”
Lawyer Seo Il-hwa grumbled with his mouth, but his eyes were smiling.
‘Is this the friendship of men?’
Indeed, wasn’t the reason they gathered today already quite heartwarming?
It was to distribute the remuneration from the major victory in the Food Sanitation Act violation case.
In a word, success fees.
Ah, just hearing it makes my heart swell.
“If you act like this, I’m going to take even more.”
“Oh, no, what’s done is done. No going back on your word.”
“Wow, I heard you’re doing well these days. Ahn Gyeong-hun has really changed a lot. It’s like he’s genuinely passionate about money now.”
“I’ve never not been passionate about money.”
“Oh, right. If you were so passionate, did you only pick cases that didn’t make money?”
“It just happened that way because I was doing what I liked. Now, even when I’m doing what I like, the money just follows.”
Lawyer Ahn said that, gazing at me.
And he spoke with sincerity.
“Thanks to a very competent secretary.”
“No, Ms. Yoo-hee. Seriously, would you consider being my secretary? I’ll pay double, no, quadruple.”
He’s saying he’ll drastically increase my salary.
For a partner of Lawyer Seo Il-hwa’s caliber, it’s not entirely impossible.
He probably said it because of what he usually hears from his close friend, Lawyer Ahn, and because this case proved that his words weren’t empty promises.
‘Hmm, I appreciate the thought, but it’s not tempting enough compared to what Lawyer Ahn promised.’
Moreover, Lawyer Ahn will be the team leader of the team I’ll form after I become a lawyer.
While Lawyer Seo is also appealing, giving up Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun is out of the question.
Above all, considering how much Lawyer Ahn’s trust meant in getting me this far, I don’t even hesitate for a moment.
‘Most importantly, he’s probably just joking.’
I smiled lightly and shook my head.
“I’m just offering my opinion, hoping that you would handle such cases. You’re the one who makes the choices and proceeds with the cases, Lawyer Ahn, so I haven’t done much.”
“Such humility is not right. Looking at the An-eum case and the legal precedents and materials you prepared today, it’s clear how significant Ms. Yoo-hee’s contribution is.”
“Haha, thank you for looking at it kindly.”
My laptop is the result of pouring my life into it.
It’s true that the data in it is vast and helpful.
But ultimately, I’m the one doing the legwork.
I don’t know about the future, but at least until now, it’s been that way.
And the same goes for Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun, and for Lawyer Yoon Yi-hoon, who is unusually quiet today.
Even though I’m a secretary, I could come this far because there are people who don’t criticize my opinions and run alongside me.
“Then, let’s conclude the meeting warmly, with everyone’s contributions!”
“Ah, Ms. Yoo-hee, that’s a problem.”
“Pardon?”
“This guy hasn’t even finalized the distribution yet.”
“Wow, I really can’t get used to Ahn Gyeong-hun. Alright, I’ll do it quickly!”
Hahahaha.
I can really feel the reward of diligently pushing for his achievements all this time.
I gazed at Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun with a satisfied look.
Then Lawyer Ahn awkwardly made a ‘V’ sign with his hand.
‘He really shouldn’t do that.’
A robot would look more natural doing it.
I could almost hear a creaking sound as a sound effect in my ears.
I couldn’t find a place to look, so I turned my head to the side.
Then I saw Lawyer Yoon Yi-hoon, who was looking at Lawyer Ahn with an even more astonished expression.
‘Hey, you too?’
If I were to interpret his gaze, that’s roughly what it meant.
We nodded simultaneously and then turned our eyes back to our original positions.
Then I saw Lawyer Seo, who was looking at the three of us with a bewildered expression.
“What is this combination? It’s a trio that would be really funny to think about again once I get home.”
Lawyer Seo, that’s really unfair to say.
I felt like I was lumped in wholesale with Lawyer Ahn, the epitome of awkwardness, and Lawyer Yoon, who is just inherently funny.
I appealed my thoughts with a serious look.
“…That misunderstanding is quite unfair.”
“Lawyer…”
“Ms. Yoo-hee was the funniest one here, though?”
This meeting, something is going wrong.
But soon, the conference room heated up.
“An-eum was hit hard by this incident, so we set the success fee a bit lower than for a typical case.”
“I think that’s right. Well done, Lawyer Seo.”
Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun nodded with an expression of understanding.
Then Lawyer Seo Il-hwa handed over the retainer agreement with a grateful look, as if saying thank you for understanding.
“I knew Lawyer Ahn would understand. Here, take a look. It’s 2.5% of the economic benefit value. Usually, it’s over 5%, but we cut it by more than half.”
“Wasn’t An-Eum’s fine 13 billion won…?”
“That’s right, Lawyer Ahn. Then… gasp.”
Lawyer Yoon Yi-hoon, who was calculating in his head, gasped and his eyes trembled.
Given that it was a success fee in the hundreds of millions, it was a natural reaction, in a way.
All together, we reduced a fine of over 13 billion won to 30 million won.
So, even if we calculate by subtracting 30 million won, the amount comes close to 330 million won.
For reference, Lawyer Ahn was set to receive the highest percentage, and Lawyer Seo allocated about one-third of that as Lawyer Yoon’s achievement.
“Thank you, Lawyer Seo. You are my true soulmate.”
It means a friend who acknowledges me just by hearing my voice.
If I add my interpretation, it roughly means ‘You’re the best.’
It had to be.
Because even after deducting what went to Lawyer Yoon’s achievement, a tremendous amount close to 180 million won came out.
It was Ahn Gyeong-hun’s greatest success fee in his life.
And soon, a booming, powerful voice resonated from beside him.
“Hahahahaha! Your grace is boundless!”
Lawyer Yoon looked as if he was about to get up and bow.
86 million won.
Nearly 90 million won was recorded as his achievement.
Of course, not all of the achievement amount is deposited.
The company takes a certain percentage.
‘This is where the company’s maintenance costs and surplus come from.’
That’s why law firms are so fixated on performance.
The more they earn, the more they can take.
Even so, it’s true that a huge amount was deposited at once.
Considering that the current minimum wage is around 500,000 won, it makes you realize even more how large this amount is.
“Yes. Seeing everyone’s reactions, I feel proud.”
“Oh, proud? You should be proud of yourself for taking on a case like this!”
“Haha, shall I then?”
“Yes, sir! Of course!”
Oh dear, look at that flattery.
Lawyer Yoon was definitely a sycophant in his previous life.
‘Well, it’s a justifiable reaction though.’
He’s a truly transparent person who shows extreme reactions to everything he does.
In contrast, Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun is so dependable… Hmm?
We looked at Lawyer Ahn’s hand and froze.