I don't own the characters of Suits, but I do adore them. I hope that Madison Leigh is an exiting addition to the cast and maybe she'll stir up some feathers. Anja ^_^
One New Associate
"Jessica wants to see you in her office," Donna said as soon as Harvey entered Monday morning.
Harvey groaned but walked into his office and dropped his mail on his desk before walking back out and down the hall to the Managing Partner's office. The woman herself was seated behind her desk going through her own morning mail when he entered.
"Harvey," she said looking up. "I have a job for you."
"And what would that be?"
"I've decided to take on an associate of my own, I want you to hire the new associate. You know me as well as anyone," Jessica explained.
Harvey looked at Jessica with a raised eyebrow. "I thought you were still pissed about Mike. Why would you want me to find you an associate?"
Jessica leaned forward on her desk and clasped her hands together under her chin. "I am, but as you pointed out, there's no denying that he does his work well. I want another of him, just Harvey, make sure this one has the right to practice law in New York."
"But I hate Associate interviews," he insisted.
"I don't care."
-S-U-I-T-S-
"Same as last time?" Donna asked.
Harvey nodded solemnly. "Give me some sort of indication if they're worth taking seriously."
"Will do."
Donna sent hopeful applicants through to Harvey and every time he took a new one into the hotel room, Donna shook her head, pretended to slit her thought or nodded.
"And why should I let you in?" Donna asked a young man.
He looked around. "Uhh, This is the Pearson Hardman interviews right?" Donna nodded. "Oh good. I thought for a moment I had the wrong place."
"What's your name?" Donna asked the man.
"Dyllon Hoyt," he replied.
When Harvey came back out to welcome Dyllon, Donna nodded to Harvey. She actually kind of liked the kid.
Unfortunately, the next several left a lot to be desired. Answers such as "Because I have an appointment," went rampant as the young men couldn't figure out why a mere secretary was questioning them.
Amidst the sea of dark suited men, a woman entered. Long black hair cascaded down her back and all the male attention in the room turned to her. She stood out, not only for her feminine presence in the room, but because of the blood red dress she wore beneath her black blazer.
"Madison Leigh," she said introducing herself to Donna. "I have an appointment to see Harvey Specter."
It took Donna a moment to answer. This woman wasn't a bumbling fool like the other applicants. While demanding, Donna got the impression that it wasn't because of a sense of self importance, but a need to use her time to its maximum efficiency. Still, Donna asked her question.
The woman looked startled for a moment, as though a moment of hesitation overcame her, but then the facade was back. She glanced at her watch. "Because I have court in an hour. I don't have time to wait around here if Mr. Specter isn't going to see me."
Donna had to admit, she was surprised. Madison Leigh had to be barely if at all, older than Mike and she was due in court? When Harvey emerged, Donna noticed him falter as he took in the woman. He eyed the young face, the red dress and the long hair. Donna could almost see him appreciate the female form beneath it, but as he lead Madison Leigh into the room he was using as an office he turned back to Donna and she nodded. Adamantly.
-S-U-I-T-S-
Harvey walked to his seat in silence and waited as Madison followed suit. He looked at her confident manner and looked at her resume as she handed it over without a word.
"Seven years with the Innocence Project?" Harvey commented. "Impressive. Why are there no other positions listed?"
"The Innocence Project is a passion of mine. I started in College and continued when I moved to New York. As for my prior employment, no firm in New York has hired me yet," Madison replied. The confidence when she spoke of the Project was there, but Harvey was sure he heard something along the lines of bitterness when she spoke of not being able to find employment with a repeatable firm.
"Bureau Chief," Harvey stated. "What department?"
"Violent Crimes," Madison replied.
Harvey leaned back in his chair. "How many open cases to you have at the moment?"
"Personally?" She asked. "Five, in various stages of trial or negotiations. Six pending appeal in the Grand Jury. I also oversee the case load of the people in my department."
Harvey nodded. "That's a full case load. How would you complete your cases and take on the work of an associate?"
"I see my cases through. I might have to pursue them slower or take on a second chair, but I finish what I start. If I get this job, I won't stop my work with the project. I might step down as Bureau Chief and take on a smaller case load, but I won't stop all together," Madison insisted. She glanced at the time.
"You have somewhere you need to be?" Harvey asked
"Yes. I'm due in Judge Branson's courtroom in half an hour," she told him. "I'm sure you know how he values punctuality. My case is at a pivotal point. We'll be heading into closing arguments by the end of this week."
Harvey nodded in understanding. "I do know Judge Branson. Ok. If I was hiring for myself, I'd hire you here on the spot, but I'm hiring for the Managing Partner," he paused when he saw the younger woman visibly pale. "Is there something wrong?"
"No," She managed. "I just... I didn't realise it was for the Managing Partner. Jessica Pearson or Daniel Hardman?"
Harvey nodded, impressed. People rarely asked after Hardman these days, but this woman had done her research. "Jessica Pearson."
"Oh..." Harvey was amazed at how fast the confidence had left the woman. She stood and held out her hand. "Thank you for your time," she said. "I really have to get to court."
-S-U-I-T-S-
Harvey waited several minutes after Madison had left. He spent the time researching her work. Her name came up in news articles several times. She had an impressive record of overturning convictions. She caught Judicial Misconduct and used it in the court room like no one he'd ever seen before.
Harvey got up and went out to Donna. "Lunch Break," he announced.
Donna looked up at him, then nodded and turned back to the waiting hopefuls. "Come back in an hour."
"Make it two," Harvey corrected, grabbing Donna's coat. "Come on. Judge Branson hates it when people enter his court room late."
Donna accepted her coat as they left the hotel suite. "You're going to hire Madison Leigh."
"It's Jessica's decision."
-S-U-I-T-S-
The Court Room was overflowing when Harvey and Donna arrived. They were forced to stand at the back, but they'd arrived just as the door to the Judge's chambers had opened, admitting the Judge. As everyone stood, Harvey searched the room for Madison Leigh. She was sitting at the Defendant's table, as First Chair. A man in prison orange, sat beside her.
It was a trial part way through. The ADA at the Prosecution's table was cross-examining a woman in the witness stand.
"You stated when questioned by Ms. Leigh that your son was not a violent man, then why is it, that he has three boxing championship titles?"
"Objection!" Madison interrupted. "Asked and answered."
"Right, right," the ADA said before the judge could rule. "Jorge Santiago worked out his aggression in the ring," he turned back to the woman on the stand. "Then why is it, that we have reports of him in illegal fights?"
"Objection!" Madison cried. "Cause for speculation. There is no evidence that Jorge Santiago was ever a part of illegal fights."
The ADA went on, ignoring Madison's objection. "The truth is, Mrs. Santiago, your son was a violent man, who fought for a living, but that wasn't enough for him. He needed more. He flew into a rage at home and beat his beautiful girlfriend to death and can't even admit it to the world."
"Objection, badgering the witness."
Judge Branson frowned at the ADA. "Keep you questions in line."
"My Jorge is a good boy. He fights because he is good at it. He never harm a fly out of the ring and he never touched Marisol," the woman cried.
The ADA huffed, "Nothing further," and took his seat.
"Re-direct, your Honour," Madison requested ad the judge motioned for her to proceed. "Mrs. Santiago, how did Jorge get involved with Boxing?" Her voice was gentle and kind as she spoke to the mother of a supposed murderer.
The woman sniffled into a handkerchief. "My boy was always small, the other boys in school, they picked on him. Pushed him around, stole his lunch money. It was never ending. My boy would come home, crying, begging to not have to go back to school."
"And what happened Mrs. Santiago?"
"There was a youth group. They took boys and taught them how to protect themselves. Not to go and attack, but to control a situation. He never once attacked a boy from school, just knowing that he could, he could stand up to them and they had no reason to come after him. My Jorge had a natural talent and was scouted to compete."
"Has Jorge ever hit you or his sisters?" Madison asked.
"No, never. My Jorge is a good boy."
"Has Jorge prior to Marisol's death ever been arrested for fighting?"
"No, never."
"So essentially, your son was a talented fighter, but a gentle man, is that correct?" Madison asked.
"Yes, yes."
"What was Jorge like with Marisol?"
"Besotted. He was in love with her," The woman wiped away tears as she spoke. "My boy was going to propose to her. He bought a ring and everything. He wanted her to be his wife."
"Nothing further," Madison said turning away.
She paused momentarily when her eyes locked with Harvey's, but then she continued walking and reclaimed her seat at the Defendant's table.
Harvey leaned against the wall and watched as the young woman battled her opponent out of the ball park in the court room. When the session ended, he lead Donna out of the court room.
"Tell Jessica, I've found her new associate," Harvey said.
-S-U-I-T-S-
Jessica asked for the files on Harvey's top three potentials despite his push for her to personally interview Madison Leigh.
"Jessica, this is one, that you don't want to let go," he insisted.
"Harvey, she's been out of law school for three years, she still hasn't got a job despite graduating at the top of her class, making law review and nearly seven years with the Innocence Project," Jessica reminded him. "There is something wrong with this girl."
"I've seen her in court," Harvey reminded her. "Trust me, you want her."
"I'll interview all three."
