When They See Us – How to Get the Most Out of Your Lawyer

Ava DuVernay’s powerful series When They See Us portrays the true-life story of Central Park Five – five young black and Latino boys wrongfully charged with attacking a white jogger in 1989 and wrongly convicted for it. Their convictions were later overturned, and they settled with the city for $41 million settlements.

Linda Fairstein, former Manhattan prosecutor, claims the 2019 four-episode miniseries defamed her by depicting her as an unethical racist villain portrayed as such in its four episodes, leading her to sue Netflix and DuVernay for defamation.

Ask Questions

If you are paying for legal expertise, it is acceptable and expected that questions be asked of them. Doing so does not indicate impatience but instead the expectation that your money deserves its value back.

Some attorneys may appear defensive when answering your inquiries directly; don’t let their defensiveness fool you! A quality lawyer should be able to explain complex legal concepts clearly and concisely.

Keep an eye on how an attorney and office staff respond when you pose your queries – this will tell you much about how they will treat you as their client.

Ask the lawyer what fees they charge, such as hourly rates, flat fees, contingency fees (no win-no pay) and retainer fees – to help set budgetary expectations and avoid unexpected charges in the future. Also inquire as to what strategy would best serve your case – getting answers will give you confidence that they have your best interests in mind.

Keep It Confidential

Clients often feel anxious and need someone with them during their first meeting with a lawyer, in order to offer support or comfort. Unfortunately, inviting an extra party can compromise confidentiality.

Attorney-client privilege requires attorneys and their clients to keep all communications, such as conversations in person or over the phone, emails, letters or texts between themselves and their lawyers strictly confidential. It’s crucial that clients understand this principle and do their part to keep communications between themselves and their lawyers private.

Nearly all states have laws regarding confidentiality that outline what should be revealed if necessary to prevent someone from engaging in illegal or fraudulent activity. Most state rules include exceptions that allow lawyers to disclose information if it would prevent criminal or fraudulent acts being committed against clients.

Share Your Story

After popular movies and TV shows (Serial, Making a Murderer) have led to new charges or reconsideration of convictions, viewers have taken up the cause for justice. This year alone has brought films such as When They See Us which highlights police practices affecting R&B singer Robert Kelly as well as documentary about R&B singer Robert Kelly himself.

When They See Us is a dramatization of the Central Park Five case in four dramatic episodes, with Joshua Jackson as defense attorney Mickey Joseph. It highlights the racist logic in police, court, and prison systems which cost these teenagers their freedom.

Linda Fairstein and Elizabeth Lederer, two prosecutors who oversaw interrogations sessions that produced false confessions from Harlem teenagers Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam and Raymond Santana are the subjects of the story. Fairstein still serves as prosecutor while Lederer currently teaches law at Columbia University where many have called for her dismissal; these women have filed suit against Netflix and DuVernay alleging defamation of character.