COIN OF THE REALM

Back in the days before email, with its instant responses of "LOL", "WTF", and emojis of various sorts, all written communication was by means of a "letter".  Many of us still remember them.  A more elegant means of expression.  Over the years I have retained, and framed a few of the more memorable pieces of correspondence I have received.  I have yet to hang an email in my office, no matter how funny the meme.

The letter which is the subject of this post was one I sent.  I was nearing trial on a Wayne County case involving a bus accident.  My client was a passenger on a SEMTA/SMART bus.  The bus driver caused an accident in which my guy was injured.  He also happened to be a Canadian citizen, from Windsor, without a car of his own.  My lawsuit on his behalf included both a claim for No-Fault benefits and one for auto negligence.

Back then the Canadian dollar was worth about 70 cents American.  

In the course of trial prep, defense counsel and I exchanged a fair number of letters about such things like jury instructions, admission of medical records, witnesses and so forth.  In one letter, my opponent indicated that if my client prevailed, which he greatly doubted, any monetary award should be in Canadian, rather than American, dollars.  While I liked my opponent personally, I thought that was one of the stupidest things I had ever heard.  And though many years have passed since, it remains at the top of inane suggestions.

I read the letter.  I dictated and sent the following response:  "With regard to your position that any verdict in this case be rendered in Canadian dollars, I cannot concur.  However, I will agree that any award of damages be in Pounds Sterling."  The end.

A couple of days later I got a phone call.  I remember it well.  My opponent was genuinely puzzled, and he could not understand what I meant.  Try as I might, I could not persuade him that my letter was a joke in response to his ridiculous suggestion.  I could just see him reading the letter, furrowing his brow and shaking his head.

In fact, he filed a motion a motion in limine advancing the argument.  He lost the motion....and the trial.

I don't think defense counsel framed that letter.

LOL.