Kangaroo Court

Kathleen Watson and Sarah Holmes have been best friends since rooming together in law school and both now work in big NYC law firms, where they feel stifled in the stuffy corporate environment. They are both attractive and in their late 20’s, and both suffer from disabilities. Kathleen has a drinking problem and Sarah has bipolar disorder, but their deep affection and love for each other helps them “hold it together” and function at high levels. Together with a third buddy from law school, the eccentric but brilliant, Josh Levin, the troika set out to start a law firm that specializes in their dream and passion, legal rights for nonhuman animals. They are animated to take their first case after seeing on TV an exposè of an elderly chimpanzee, Elmo, who spent most of his life caged as a test animal in a laboratory, and is deemed “of no further use” and scheduled for" euthanasia". The head of the operation is Dr. Walker, a man devoid of empathy, understanding or caring - a true sociopath, who is known to enjoy watching animals suffer. The troika is outraged and take it upon themselves, as advocates for Elmo, to challenge the action (euthanasia) in court. This is the first motion of its kind, wherein a nonhuman animal sues to defend its rights, in this case, a dignified retirement after a life of caged service. The troika’s first major challenge is to find a prosector who take the case and as importantly a judge who will hear it. Josh gets a friend prosecutor to take the case and is able to convince the irascible, but fair, Judge Solomon to put it on his docket, and the trial is launched. The troika puts together a very forceful and creative defense against both the head of the laboratory personally, as well as the corporation. Kathleen Is supposed to give the opening statement to the jury, but turns up drunk. Sarah, who is more of an academic, behind-the-scenes type, with a fear of speaking in public, is prevailed upon by Josh to make the opening arguments, which she does masterfully. Kathleen is deeply embarrassed and apologetic and goes on to brilliantly carry the case forward with a stellar closing summary to the jury. Despite the classy and lawyerly brinksmanship, against a very skilled defense attorney, the jury delivers a “not guilty” verdict for the defense, thereby allowing the euthanasia to proceed. Although they lost this case, the trial creates a series of other animal rights cases being launched throughout the country and raised the issue to number one trending on social media. The attorneys became famous, particularly the “ham” Josh who basks in the notoriety, and launches the law firm, Watson, Holmes, & Levine, to preeminence in this new and emerging field of law. The trial also further bonded the relationship between Kathleen and Sarah and gave each critically needed emotional support and confidence to meet their respective fears and prevail. It also brought out the wisdom of Josh who integrated very well into the relationship, and incidentally, was able to adopt Elmo as a pet. The firm, with Elmo as its mascot, will go on with endless animal rights cases to pursue.