章 69: Vance - 8.2
Emelia exited my office with an eager grin. As she left, Sarah entered, placing a few papers on my desk—a drop in the ocean, really.
"Hot off the fax, Vance. Mr. Lafayette sent over some candidates he would like you to interview. The next one is at eleven."
"Oh. Thanks, Sarah." I supposed complete control over hiring was a fantasy.
I flipped through the documents. Kevin Delaney, 49, Harvard? Rebecca Mooney, 37, Yale. I scanned the page further. Insurance companies? Bill Lincoln. 31. Valparaiso University? Hometown: Vale of Paradise?
"Sarah, where is Vale of Paradise?"
"I don't know."
She left and ushered in the next application.
Kevin entered my office with an air of confidence that matched his impressive resume. At 49 years old, with degrees from Harvard and a career that spanned decades, he seemed like a seasoned professional. I extended my hand, and he shook it firmly, giving a nod of approval.
"Please, have a seat, Mr. Delaney," I said, gesturing to the chair opposite my desk.
"Thank you, Vance. I appreciate the opportunity," he replied, settling into the chair with a practiced ease.
I glanced at his resume one more time before beginning. "You've had an extensive career, Mr. Delaney. What brings you to Pembrose & Lafayette at this stage in your professional journey?"
He leaned back slightly, his gaze steady. "Well, Vance, I've always admired the work done here. Your firm has a reputation for taking on challenging cases and making a real difference. After years in the corporate sector, I'm looking for a new challenge and a place where my experience can truly make an impact."
"Impressive credentials, indeed," I acknowledged, "but why the switch from the corporate world to a firm like ours?"
Delaney smiled, a practiced expression that spoke of countless interviews and boardroom meetings. "After years of working with large corporations, I realized that I wanted to get back to the roots of the legal profession. Advocacy, justice, and making a difference on a more personal level. Pembrose & Lafayette represents that shift for me."
"Let's talk specifics," I said, wanting to see if his practical knowledge matched his polished presentation. "Can you tell me about a particularly challenging case you've handled recently?"
He nodded, leaning forward. "Certainly. There was a case involving a major breach of contract between two multinational companies. The stakes were incredibly high, with potential losses running into the millions. I led the legal team that navigated the complex negotiations, ultimately securing a favorable settlement for our client while avoiding lengthy litigation."
"Interesting," I replied, though the corporate nature of his example felt a bit disconnected from the grassroots work we often handled here. "What about pro bono work? Have you had any experience in that area?"
Delaney hesitated, just for a moment. "I've done some pro bono work, yes. Mostly advisory roles, helping non-profits structure their legal frameworks. It's an area I'm passionate about and hope to explore further."
I nodded, sensing that his heart might not entirely be in the same place as ours. "Final question, Mr. Delaney. How do you handle the pressure of high-stakes cases?"
He gave a confident smile. "Pressure is part of the job. Over the years, I've developed a calm, methodical approach to handling stress. Preparation is key, and when things get intense, I rely on my experience and training to guide me through."
As the interview wrapped up, I couldn't shake the feeling that, while Delaney was undoubtedly capable, his background might not align with the direction I envisioned for the firm. Still, I appreciated his time and thanked him for coming in.
"Thank you, Mr. Delaney. We'll be in touch soon," I said, standing up to shake his hand.
"I appreciate the opportunity, Vance. Have a good day," he replied, his smile unwavering as he left the office.
Rebecca Mooney walked into my office with a confident stride, her Yale pedigree evident in the way she carried herself. She wore a tailored suit and her hair was perfectly coiffed. I stood to greet her, shaking her hand firmly.
"Ms. Mooney, welcome. Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, Vance," she replied smoothly, settling into the chair opposite me. Her gaze was direct, her demeanor professional.
I glanced at her resume again, noting her extensive experience with insurance companies. "You have quite an impressive background. What brings you to Pembrose & Lafayette?"
Rebecca smiled, a calculated and polished expression. "After years in the insurance sector, I'm looking for a change. Your firm's reputation for handling complex, high-stakes cases is exactly the challenge I'm looking for. I want to apply my skills in a more dynamic environment."
"I see. Can you tell me about a particularly challenging case you've handled?" I asked, wanting to get a sense of her practical experience.
"Certainly," she said, her eyes brightening. "I worked on a case involving a major insurance fraud ring. The investigation was extensive, requiring coordination with multiple agencies and a deep dive into forensic accounting. We managed to uncover significant evidence, leading to several convictions and substantial recoveries for our clients."
"Impressive," I replied. "What motivated you to leave the insurance industry?"
Rebecca's smile faltered slightly, but she recovered quickly. "The insurance industry is very structured, and while that's valuable, I realized I wanted to be in a place where I could make a more direct impact. I'm passionate about justice and advocacy, and I believe Pembrose & Lafayette offers that opportunity."
"Do you have any experience with pro bono work or cases involving public interest law?" I asked, trying to gauge her alignment with our firm's values.
"I've done some advisory work for non-profits, helping them navigate regulatory challenges," she said. "While most of my career has been in corporate settings, I'm eager to expand my experience in public interest law."
I nodded, sensing a slight disconnect but appreciating her honesty. "Final question, Ms. Mooney. How do you handle the pressure of high-stakes cases?"
Rebecca's smile returned, this time more genuine. "Pressure is part of the job, and I thrive under it. I've developed strong coping mechanisms over the years—preparation, strategic thinking, and staying focused on the end goal. I find that approaching each case methodically helps manage stress effectively."
As the interview concluded, I felt a mix of admiration for her competence and uncertainty about her fit for the firm's culture.
"Thank you for coming in, Ms. Mooney. We'll be in touch soon."
"Thank you, Vance. I look forward to hearing from you," she replied, shaking my hand firmly before exiting the office.
As the door closed, I leaned back in my chair, reflecting on the interview. Rebecca Mooney was clearly capable and experienced, but I couldn't shake the feeling that her corporate background might not align perfectly with our firm's mission.
"Tell Delaney and Mooney we already filled our openings. Send Lincoln up."
Sarah nodded and left the room. I leaned back in my chair, reflecting on the strange name of Bill's hometown. Vale of Paradise sounded almost too idyllic, like something out of a fairy tale. I shook off the thought as the door opened again, and a tall, clean-cut man in his early thirties entered. He had a disarming smile and a confident gait.
"Mr. Vance, thank you for seeing me on such short notice," Bill said, extending his hand.
"Call me Vance. Please, have a seat," I replied, shaking his hand and motioning to the chair in front of my desk.
Bill sat down, exuding a casual confidence that immediately put me at ease. He had a polished, almost too-perfect appearance, but there was something about his eyes that suggested he was always calculating, always watching.
"Bill, tell me a bit about yourself," I started.
"Well, I graduated from Valparaiso University with a focus on corporate law. I've spent some time interning at a wiring company, handling various legal and administrative tasks," Bill began, his tone smooth and practiced.
"Interesting. What made you choose law as a career?" I asked, genuinely curious.
Bill chuckled lightly, leaning back in his chair. "Honestly, Vance, it was the challenge. I love solving problems, and law seemed like the ultimate puzzle. Plus, there's the satisfaction of helping people navigate complex situations."
His answer was charismatic, but I couldn't help but notice the vagueness. Most applicants would have shared a specific story or experience, but Bill's response felt rehearsed. I decided to probe a bit deeper.
"Can you walk me through a case you worked on during your internship that really challenged you?" I asked, watching his reaction closely.
Bill hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "Sure. There was this case involving a breach of contract. The details were murky, and the client wasn't very forthcoming. It took a lot of digging and negotiation to reach a settlement that satisfied both parties."
Again, his answer was polished but lacked substance. I pushed a bit further.
"How did you handle the legal complexities? How did you find sourcing your precedents?" I asked.
Bill's smile didn't waver, but I noticed a flicker of something in his eyes—annoyance, maybe? "Well, Vance, I focused on the fundamentals of contract law. Ensuring that all parties had a clear understanding of their obligations and rights. It was more about the practical application than citing specific statutes."
His answers were smooth, almost too smooth. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this man than met the eye. But, Lafayette had sent him my way, and I needed to trust that he saw something in Bill worth considering.
"Bill, what are your long-term goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?" I asked, shifting the conversation to gauge his ambitions.
"I see myself growing within a firm like Pembrose & Lafayette, taking on more responsibilities, and eventually leading significant cases. I want to be in a position where I can take a big shot and it help everyone in need," he replied, his tone earnest.
"Alright, Bill. Last question. How do you handle pressure? This job can be demanding, and you'll face situations where the stakes are high," I said, echoing a question I'd asked Emelia.
Bill leaned forward, his expression serious. "Pressure is part of the job. I thrive under it. It's in those high-stakes moments that I find my clarity and focus."
"Well, Bill, you seem like a promising candidate. We have a few more interviews, but I'll let you know our decision soon," I said, standing up to shake his hand.
"Thank you, Vance. I appreciate the opportunity," Bill replied, his smile never faltering.
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