 The ML (Rudy Baylor/ Matt Damon) tries to make their clients sign a contract, it’s a retention

agreement, which is something that we rarely see in the movies but its ethically required to be
able to actually represent people. It lays out the terms of the engagement and compensation as
well. It is a fairly standard one for the plaintiffs working on contingency. The plaintiff’s attorney
will pay for the costs in terms of filling fees, experts, and deposition costs. If the case won, the
attorney will be compensated for 1/3 or 40% of what was recovered.
 Donnie Ray (Johnny Whitworth) is diagnosed with leukemia and his medical insurance denied
him a bone marrow transplant which would have provided relief to his condition (POINT OF THE
LAWSUIT)
 Leo F. Drummond (Jon Voight) of Tenley Brit, counsel for Great Benefit “Bigtime Litigation”, Mr.
Baylor, in order to stand for the oath for the office to practice law in the great state of
Tennessee, he has to be sponsored by a practicing attorney, which is Atty. Leo F. Drummond. He
is a big firm lawyer, which can be an advantage on his part to start litigating.
 In the scene where atty. Drummond was talking to the judge about fast tracking and it happens
in certain cases to expedite the court process due to Donnie Ray being diagnosed of Leukemia, it
is important to make sure that all the necessary discovery is taken before he passes away.
Moreover, the disadvantage of showing up to court consisting of different lawyers representing
in a lawsuit claiming that one of the lawyers is unable to attend due to his tight schedule, the
other lawyers should be able to take care of it.
 Toxic tort is a personal injury lawsuit in which the plaintiff claims that exposure to dangerous
substance caused injury or disease.
 It is also important to record the deposition testimony through a video camera to be able to see
the intonation and facial expression of the witnesses when they are giving their testimony
together with the judge and the opposing counsel.
 The ML wanted to start with Jackie Lemancyzk, the claims holder but Mr . Drummond wanted
him to start with Mr. Underhall, the corporate designee, although Jackie lemancyzk is no longer
with the corporation therefore the corporation in under no duty to produce the person for a
deposition.
 Rudy’s office got bugged by their opposition and the judge gave them the names of 92 potential
jurors, they investigated their background and rated them with plus or minus numbers. The
opposing counsel bugged rudys phone and provided them false information. VOIR DIRE- the
process is used to determine if the prospective juror may be biased and /or cannot deal with
issues fairly at trial. It was brilliant way to screw the opposing counsel.
 Mrs. Black, mother of Donnie ray black, who died of acute myosolidic leukemia because of the
defendant, great benefit, it was a very leading questions instead of facilitation- said by rudy
 The Everett leftkin, vp of claims department told the plaintiff that they must be very stupid in a
demonstrative and the judge told them leave them up to have the greatest effect on the jury.
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-rainmaker-1997