Suits: A Lawyer Surviving TV Chaos

The day after the golf game, Clark Hunt officially signed the financing contract on behalf of Microsoft's board of directors.

Microsoft acquired 1.6% of Facebook's shares for $240 million and pledged to provide market channel support to Facebook.

With Microsoft's backing, Facebook's valuation officially reached $15 billion!

Aside from these two companies, Martin also reaped significant rewards.

First, he secured the Chief Legal Counsel contract for Facebook, valued at $2.1 million annually.

According to the distribution ratio, Martin would receive $700,000, Priya over $300,000, and the remaining $1 million would go to the law firm as dividends.

Then there were the fees for this case.

In the U.S., the Bar Association stipulates that for commercial transactions exceeding $50 million, lawyers must charge no less than 1%. Hence, senior business lawyers are often referred to as "One Percenters."

Specifically, for this financing project, Facebook would pay $2.4 million in legal fees—half to the firm, over $900,000 to Martin, and $400,000 to Priya.

In other words, Martin Scott who had only graduated two months ago, was now a bona fide millionaire! and not paper one anymore. Since the 1% shares are all tied up in charity for the time being even if their paper value is high, which can be only realized once company goes public.

Priya wasn't far behind either. With her salary included, she rounded up to the threshold of a millionaire—far surpassing her brother Rajesh, who earned just over $8,000 a month.

In terms of family status, Martin couldn't help but feel that Rajesh was about to follow in Leonard's footsteps!

Don't think that it's very unreasonable for the firm to take such a large share of fees without doing much. But don't forget Martin is just starting out, without the reputation and support of Pearson Hardman Law Firm none of this would have been possible.

Sometimes brand is the most valuable asset!

After signing the contract, Facebook's executives hosted a press conference and celebratory cocktail party. Many high-ranking executives from Silicon Valley tech companies scrambled to find ways to attend.

They were all here for Clark Hunt.

However, after skillfully brushing off these tech elites Clark approached Martin Scott, who was quietly observing the scenery by a window in the corner.

After yesterday's golf game, Clark had taken notice of this unusually young lawyer and had asked someone to investigate him. The results were quite surprising.

At sixteen, Martin entered Harvard's history department; at twenty, he graduated as valedictorian and delivered the commencement speech. That same year, he enrolled in Harvard Law School and, five years later, graduated top of his class with a Juris Doctor degree. Within a month of joining the law firm, he was promoted to senior lawyer. Recently, he'd handled a criminal case involving BMW and seemed to manage a private equity charity fund with undisclosed shareholders…

This was no longer a person that could simply be described as a "genius."

"You don't seem to enjoy these kinds of events much. As a lawyer, isn't this the perfect opportunity to network with potential big clients?" Clark said, his well-preserved face showing few wrinkles resembling those of presidents who cared deeply about appearances.

"Is there anyone here more important than you?" Martin smiled and clinked glasses with him. "Besides I'm not just Zuckerberg's legal counsel."

He then turned toward the venue and waved.

Soon, six or seven members of the mutual aid group based in Los Angeles walked over with champagne to greet them.

"Why didn't you bring Howard? He still owes me a visit to the cigar lounge."

"Congratulations on taking a solid step in your legal career."

"Want to try my mom's Spanish paella tomorrow?"

As the executive director overseeing Microsoft's investment affairs, Clark quickly recognized these rising stars of the internet industry. Three of them were targets he had closely monitored over the past two years.

Despite his years of experience, Clark was momentarily stunned by the situation.

However, a thought suddenly crossed his mind: perhaps the mysterious shareholders of that private charity hope were these people standing before him.

Seeing the fleeting surprise on Clark's face, Martin secretly felt smug. 'All those years of effort—wasn't it just for the chance to show off in front of old-timers like you?'

"Everyone, Mr. Clark Hunt personally knighted by the Queen as Lord Clark and senior director of Microsoft's board…"

Martin introduced Clark to his companions, then chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Perhaps my introduction was unnecessary—after all, who in the tech and finance circles doesn't know Mr. Clark?"

None of these mutual aid group members were pushovers. Upon hearing Martin's words, they immediately caught on. After brief introductions, they began flattering Clark by referencing his proudest achievements.

Preparation was an open secret among all excellent students.

Clark, hailing from British high society, excelled in such social settings. He smiled and commented on the enterprises behind these individuals, expressing interest and stating he had been following them closely, hoping for future collaboration opportunities.

After exchanging pleasantries, Martin gave a subtle signal. The founders tactfully excused themselves, leaving only Martin and Clark smiling at each other.

Clark has been in high society before even martin was born when all those guys suddenly came and then went away together he understood what powerplay might be going on but that didn't meant he wanted to do anything about it. No, all these tricks are part of the game. Whether one can understand these at a glance or not differentiate the players and pawns.

Martin, still young and new to these games unaware of clark's thoughts raised his glass first in a toast. "I hope my friends made you feel welcome, Lord Clark."

"I'm pleasantly surprised, Martin" Clark said . "Thank you for introducing them. Your friends are very promising, I wasn't merely flattering when I said I've been following them "

Martin shrugged. "I never doubt the sincerity of a lord."

Clark clearly agreed with this sentiment and replied "Though chivalry has waned in this restless era, it doesn't stop those of us with admiration from pursuing those noble virtues."

This abrupt statement left Martin with no way to respond.He could only smile, sipping his champagne to mask his awkwardness.

Unexpectedly, Clark spoke first. "Young man, I seem to see your ambition."

"Hmm?" Martin looked puzzled.

"From Zuckerberg to those founders just now, it seems you're focused on the internet?"

Martin shrugged noncommittally. "The wealthy elites of traditional industries wouldn't easily entrust their life-and-death legal matters to someone as young as me. I can only seek breakthroughs among similarly young entrepreneurs. Naturally, the boundless opportunities in the internet and tech industries make them the prime choice."

"So, you chose to use a charity to stabilize and maintain your relationships with clients?"

Clark suddenly asked, his sharp gaze fixed on Martin's eyes, trying to discern something.

Martin frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed.

Was it so easy for someone at the top of a industry to probe his background? Not like it was any confidential information, but still.

(End of Chapter)