Law & Order (TV Series)

The Wheel (2002)

Sam Waterston: Executive ADA Jack McCoy

Quotes 

• Serena Southerlyn : So the law is the law unless enforcing it causes some collateral damage?

  Arthur Branch : That lady outside with the blindfold, she's got a scale in her left hand, Serena.

  Serena Southerlyn : Yeah, and it's the scale of justice, not pragmatism.

  Arthur Branch : Well, sometimes you can't have one without the other. Especially when Pennington Cleese is across the aisle.

  Jack McCoy : Your old firm.

  Arthur Branch : Representing my old client.

  Serena Southerlyn : The whole country of China was your client?

  Arthur Branch : Up to 10 million a year in billings.

  Jack McCoy : So will there be some kind of conflict here?

  Arthur Branch : Chen wasn't even in this country when I represented them. But...

  Jack McCoy : Don't even think about it, Arthur.

  Serena Southerlyn : What?

  Jack McCoy : Arthur was about to suggest we transfer this case to another jurisdiction.

  Arthur Branch : Well, it would prevent a hell of a migraine.

  Jack McCoy : Take an aspirin.

  Arthur Branch : I was referring to YOUR head.

• Jack McCoy : You know, Mr. Chen, I've been thinking of traveling to China.

  Li Chen : I'm very happy for you...

  Jack McCoy : Of course, I'd go to Beijing, but I'd wanna see more. Would your hometown be of any interest?

  Li Chen : Well, Tianjin is a beautiful city.

  Jack McCoy : But would an American appreciate its beauty? Well, Mr. Pincham thought so.

  Howard Pincham : Stop.

  Howard Pincham : You visited Tianjin, did you?

  Howard Pincham : That has no bearing on this case.

  Jack McCoy : On the contrary. If we go to trial, I could call you as a witness to testify about the detention camps, or lack thereof, whatever the case may be. That puts you... No, that puts your entire firm in a precarious legal position. Serena, why don't you start drafting a brief to have Mr. Pincham's law firm disqualified?

  Howard Pincham : This is ridiculous.

  Jack McCoy : Perhaps. But look at all those fees your firm will lose if a judge agrees with me.

• Arthur Branch : Enter one alibi.

  Jack McCoy : Which was contradicted by the call girl, but who knows?

  Arthur Branch : Did I ever tell you about Howard Pincham? He was my right-hand man at Pennington. My guess, he's going to be opposing counsel in this affair.

  Jack McCoy : We can't afford even the appearance of conflict here, Arthur.

  Arthur Branch : Where do the canons say a couple of pals can't shoot the breeze? So, back in the days when I got paid for working, the Chinese government invited me, as their counsel, to visit their beautiful country. The only problem is I'm what the kids today call a homeboy. I like to stay home.

  Jack McCoy : So you sent Howard Pincham?

  Arthur Branch : Best perk he ever got. He spent the last six months of '99 touring the country in style. Yup, except for a wicked case of Mao's Revenge, old Howie had a wonderful time.