Entries by James J. Gross

1117 New Hampshire Avenue

“If  you can pay for your sign the first year and your rent the second year, then you’re a success.” — Oliver Wendall Holmes, Jr.’s father to his son I blew the dust off the half-moon shaped stained glass framed in walnut. After 30 years of paying for marble, glass and brass, we have decided […]

Alternative Facts

“Old too soon, Smart too late.” — Mike Tyson I was on the phone with an old friend of mine when he remarked that people who wore masks to fight the Coronavirus were stupid.  I told him that I was wearing a mask.  That started a debate over the size of molecules and how porous […]

The Wages of Sin – Chapter Four

Ms. Moriarty produced her client’s tax returns a week later. When I entered his office, Holt was looking at them with a magnifying glass he kept in his desk drawer to look for clues in the fine print. “Ah, Dr. Wright, I think we have solved this case. It seems there was a good reason […]

The Wages of Sin – Chapter Three

”Fairly new attorney although in her 30s. Used to be a  paralegal and decided to become a lawyer. Teaches paralegal classes at the community college.” Holt proclaimed to me. “She’ll learn. She just needs some seasoning.” “You deduced that from the phone call?” I asked. “No, I Googled her.” Holt started flipping through the case […]

The Wages of Sin – Chapter Two

I caught up with Holt at his office at 221B Billiard Street, where his secretary, Ms. Hobson said he was expecting me. The office was well-appointed in a traditional style with leather, brass and mahogany accoutrements. There were Jade treasures from the Orient hidden among the books behind the glass and wood of his bookcase. […]

The Wages of Sin – Chapter One

Inspired by characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle *   *  * Sterling Holt is hands down the best divorce lawyer in town. My name is James Wright. I have the happy task of chronicling Holt’s cases for a program broadcast by the local radio station. The day started in the Easy Café where all the […]

Is Your Lawyer a Psychopath?

Experts say that psychopaths comprise about one percent of the general population. Studies have shown, however, that a higher percentage of psychopaths are attracted to certain professions. For example, about ten percent of chief operating officers are psychopaths (no wonder you didn’t get along with that boss). Now, Kevin Dutton, a psychologist at Oxford, has […]

Where’s My Roy Cohn?

It is not a compliment to say a lawyer has a “sharp practice.” It does not mean that he is the sharpest pencil in the drawer or that he is well-dressed. I first heard that term when I clerked for the public defender during my final year of law school. I asked the public defender […]