The Neon Lawyer by Victor Methos

Published by Thomas & Mercer on November 18, 2014

A young man named Brigham, transplanted to Utah despite his name, graduates from law school in a poor economy and can't find a job. After visiting every firm in Salt Lake City, he lucks out with a firm that displays a neon sign. It turns out to be a haven for misfit lawyers. The office is owned by a lawyer with a Russian accent named Tommy who pays the attorneys a percentage of the fees they collect.

Brigham's first case is a speeding trial. His second is a murder. His client, Amanda Pierce, shot and killed the man who molested and murdered her daughter. Brigham's ethically challenged boss gets the case on his public defender contract and hands it off to Brigham. Would any judge allow a brand new lawyer to represent a defendant in a death penalty case? Of course not. Nor should any virgin lawyer be stupid enough to take on a murder charge, much less one that carries the death penalty. While this novel purports to be based on a true story, it is a truly shocking story if Utah actually allowed a lawyer with no jury trial experience to handle a death penalty trial all by himself.

In any event, Brigham moves forward with the case and is shocked to learn that the judicial system favors the prosecution. Apparently Brigham wasn't paying attention when he interned in the public defender's office. His approach to the trial is baffling. For instance, he decides not to question prospective jurors because "if you want an unpredictable verdict, you need an unpredictable jury." It doesn't occur to Brigham that if you want to win, you need a favorable jury. Brigham's choice is absurd given that the jurors are being questioned (and the jury shaped) by the prosecutor. Most of Brigham's trial preparation consists of reading books about how to defend a client. His only witness is a psychologist who might or might not be willing to testify that his client was taking a break from reality when she gunned down her daughter's killer.

A good courtroom thriller creates tension and suspense. The Neon Lawyer creates none. The drama that is inherent in criminal trials is absent here. Victor Methos' depiction of the trial is straightforward and the action moves quickly, but there is little depth to the characters, most of whom are stereotypes. The story is very simple; too simple to be satisfying. Background events (like the fate of Brigham's employer) come and go so quickly that they seem like afterthoughts. Brigham's fast-developing relationship with another lawyer in his firm lacks emotion. So, for that matter, does Brigham, unless self-righteousness counts as an emotion.

The story's interest lies in the moral questions it raises. The client clearly committed murder, but should she be punished for it? If so, what punishment does she deserve? Methos could not have imagined a more sympathetic client for Brigham to defend. If the story's resolution is simplistic, it at least calls attention to serious issues. For that reason, The Neon Lawyer may be a useful teaching tool. If you're looking for a legal thriller, however, you won't find any thrills here.

NOT RECOMMENDED