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2.21 MB
Extraction Summary
8
People
3
Organizations
0
Locations
2
Events
3
Relationships
6
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Manuscript draft / legal memoir / evidence production
File Size:
2.21 MB
Summary
This document appears to be a page from a manuscript or memoir (page 288), likely written by Alan Dershowitz given the context of the cases mentioned, produced as evidence for the House Oversight Committee. The text reflects on the author's experience with high-profile cases, specifically referencing the Woody Allen/Mia Farrow conflict and the Clinton-Lewinsky impeachment. It outlines seven specific rules for lawyers handling celebrity clients, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professional distance, managing media expectations, and delivering hard truths to clients.
People (8)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Author (Unspecified in text, likely Alan Dershowitz based on context) | Narrator/Lawyer |
Discussing past cases and legal strategy for high profile clients.
|
| Mia Farrow | Former Client/Associate |
Mentioned regarding her relationship with Woody Allen and former husbands.
|
| Woody Allen | Public Figure/Subject of Case |
Mentioned regarding his marriage to Soon-Yi and legal battles with Mia Farrow.
|
| Frank Sinatra | Public Figure |
Mentioned as one of Mia Farrow's former husbands who could 'put the fear of God' in Woody Allen.
|
| Andre Previn | Public Figure/Former Husband of Mia Farrow |
Addressed as 'Mr. Previn'; the author joked with him about Sinatra.
|
| Soon-Yi | Public Figure |
Mentioned as marrying Woody Allen.
|
| Bill Clinton | Public Figure/Former President |
Mentioned in the context of the 'Clinton-Lewinsky impeachment'.
|
| Monica Lewinsky | Public Figure |
Mentioned in the context of the 'Clinton-Lewinsky impeachment'.
|
Organizations (3)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| The New York Times |
Cited as a major newspaper where leaks might appear.
|
|
| The National Enquirer |
Cited as a tabloid where leaks might appear.
|
|
| House Oversight Committee |
Implied by the Bates stamp 'HOUSE_OVERSIGHT'.
|
Timeline (2 events)
Past (Retrospective)
Relationships (3)
References to 'Woody Allen-Mia Farrow cases' and 'sordid accusation'.
Woody Allen eventually married Soon-Yi
I have maintained a good relationship with Mia.
Key Quotes (6)
"If I wanted any of Mia’s former husbands to put the fear of God in Woody Allen, I’d pick Sinatra over you Mr. Previn."Source
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Quote #1
"Never take a case just because the client is a celebrity or because the case is 'high profile.'"Source
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Quote #2
"Never assume the celebrity, or high profile client, is your friend. You have an entirely professional relationship."Source
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Quote #3
"Charge your usual fee. No discount, no gauging."Source
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Quote #4
"Every time you meet the client, be prepared to be fired for telling him or her what they don’t want to hear."Source
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Quote #5
"It has been said that hard cases make bad law. So, often, do high profile cases."Source
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Quote #6
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (2,903 characters)
4.2.12
WC: 191694
WC: 191694
I responded, “If I wanted any of Mia’s former husbands to put the fear of God in Woody Allen, I’d pick Sinatra over you Mr. Previn.” He laughed in agreement.
I have maintained a good relationship with Mia. Woody Allen eventually married Soon-Yi, and they have adopted children. Their marriage seems to be working.
Both the Clinton-Lewinsky impeachment and Woody Allen-Mia Farrow cases involved sordid accusation of improper sexual conduct by famous and powerful men. These kinds of accusation directed against these kinds of men are grist for the media mill. Every legal and political move is covered in detail. Everyone has an opinion. Litigating in such an environment is perilous. Every mistake is magnified. You don’t learn how to manage such cases in law school. There are no rule books. Experience is the only teacher.
After years of experience in dozens of high profile cases, I now try to teach my students how to avoid, really minimize, inevitable mistakes. Here are some of my everchanging rules:
1. Never take a case just because the client is a celebrity or because the case is “high profile.” Make sure the issues in the case are within your area of expertise.
2. If you do take the case, don’t “hang out,” “chill” or socialize with the celebrity. (It is ok to get an autograph for your kid, but that’s all.) Never assume the celebrity, or high profile client, is your friend. You have an entirely professional relationship. Charge your usual fee. No discount, no gauging.
3. Never say anything about the client or the case to anyone unless you are prepared to see it in The New York Times or The National Enquirer.
4. Every time you meet the client, be prepared to be fired for telling him or her what they don’t want to hear. Famous people often get bad medical treatment and bad legal service for the same reason: the doctor and lawyer don’t want to offend or upset them and care more about keeping the patient or client than telling them the painful truth.
5. Don’t pretend your celebrity or high profile case is just like an ordinary case. The media is watching your every move, and every move should take into account the anticipated media coverage. This doesn’t mean you should make or refrain from making the right move because of the anticipated coverage, but rather you should consider (and perhaps reject, but at least consider) what is the right move.
6. Remember that judges, jurors and prosecutors, their family members, their friends and colleagues all watch television and read the papers. The media environment may have an impact on their decisions.
7. Remember that high profile and celebrity cases tend to distort the legal system, because the law treats famous people differently. Sometimes better. Sometimes worse. Never the same. It has been said that hard cases make bad law. So, often, do high profile cases.
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HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017375
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