L.A. Law (TV Series)

Mutinies on the Banzai (1991)

Richard Dysart: Leland McKenzie

Quotes 

• Michael Kuzak : Leland.

  Leland McKenzie : That was a betrayal. To go to the others behind my back. That was a betrayal, you son of a bitch!

  Michael Kuzak : I got two choices here. Either I can walk away from this firm or I can stay here and I fight for. I chose the latter.

  Leland McKenzie : You chose to screw me!

  Michael Kuzak : You chose to step down! You chose to put Douglas in charge! It's that were rebelling against...

  Leland McKenzie : It's a rebellion against me! This is spit in my face to be summoned like that and given an ultimatum!

  Michael Kuzak : It's not an ultimatum, for God's sake, Leland, don't you listen? All you have to do is say no. You said it. So it's done. It's over. You're not the one being pushed out here.

  Leland McKenzie : Yeah.

• Leland McKenzie : [Returning here at the Conference room meeting]  What's this about?

  Michael Kuzak : The Partners excluding Douglas have a proposal that we'd like to offer formally pursuant to Article 11, Section 3 of the Partnership Agreement.

  Leland McKenzie : I wasn't aware that you even read the partnership agreement, Michael.

  [Michael will proposal it to Stuart who would read the letter] 

  Michael Kuzak : Stuart?

  Stuart Markowitz : Yeah. "9 weeks ago, the partners have this firm convened to address you, Leland McKenzie, with our concerns regarding your leadership for this law firm. You responded to these concerns by appointing Douglas Brackman as Pro Temp Senior Partner for a 6 week period, while you attended to expanding our client base. No such expansion occurred. Now after 9 weeks, you have unilaterally extended Douglas' Senior Partner tenure to open-ended term, again without consulting the other partners you made a designation which affects all our interests. We feel we have no choice now but to call on you and the executive committee to schedule a new vote. Which vote would serve to either confirm your position or in turn elect a new Senior Partner. Signed, Michael Kuzak, Arnold Becker, Stuart Markowitz, Ann Kelsey, and Grace Van Owen".

  Leland McKenzie : Well. you've obviously all gotten together here. Who do you plan to vote in?

  [the decision is theirs to decide. Either one. Ann choose is Michael] 

  Ann Kelsey : Michael.

  Michael Kuzak : Douglas would remain as Administrative Partner. Leland, you would go to being up Counsel.

  Leland McKenzie : You think you can just push me up?

  Grace Van Owen : This isn't a push, Leland. It's a proposal.

  Michael Kuzak : This is your firm. The decision is yours will abide by it. Which is what you know.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : This is an ambush.

  Ann Kelsey : It's not an ambush. We are all on the same side. We all want what's best for the firm.

  Leland McKenzie : Do any of you think you really know how to run a firm? It is in all just trying cases and... and collecting fee is a hell a lot more involved!

  Michael Kuzak : Again, Leland, we're not pushing you out. To the contrary, we would be counting on your guidance in making the transition to the new leadership.

  Leland McKenzie : You go straight to hell, Michael!

  [Leland heads back to his office. And what's Douglas' decision?] 

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : I take that as a no.