Prior to lawyering, I was a student of the theatre. Having grown up in the 90s, I aspired to practice like the stars of L.A. Law and Ally McBeal. I was happily sidetracked in college and graduate school by the study of theatre history, theory, and criticism and even a bit of performance. The works of Mamet and Wasserstein replaced the characters of Eikenberry and Flockhart. When colleagues and clients learn of my theatrical past, there are usually two responses: 1. Why don’t you practice entertainment law? and 2. Your acting skills probably come in handy.
While I do not practice in entertainment law, I do find my trusts and estates practice, specifically much of the litigation, very entertaining. Acting? I was never such a performer, but the skills I learned — particularly how to emote, speak with authority, make eye contact, and command an audience — certainly help.
As a result of my own education, I am intrigued when theatre and the law intersect. Inherit the Wind, To Kill a Mocking Bird — both great pieces of theatre involving epic legal stories. As such, I was particularly tickled to learn that the drama associated with the break-up of the famous Buffalo, New York, personal injury law firm, Cellino and Barnes, has been made into a play titled: Cellino v. Barnes. Michael Breen and David Rafailedes, two comedians, are the creators and also portray the main characters. It is scheduled to premier on August 3, 2019, in Brooklyn, right around the time the real case begins trial in New York State Supreme Court.
Ross Cellino commenced a dissolution proceeding against Steven Barnes in New York State Supreme Court. The partners of 25 years are fighting over multiple issues including billboards, the application of interest for client expenses, the hiring of a family member, and of course, the famous phone number. The matter has grown vicious, with insults thrown and public warring. Despite it all, Barnes opposes the dissolution. Reportedly, the law firm continues to make money, despite the pending case.
Arguably Cellino and Barnes, prior to the dissolution action, were known not only for their successful personal injury settlements, but their catchy jingle. The jingle was composed in 1993 by Ken Kaufman and helped expand the law firm’s exposure beyond Buffalo. The tagline being “Don’t wait, call 8” as the firm’s number was 1-800-888-8888.
The tagline of the play is “Injury attorneys. Injured hearts.” While funny, the sentiment is real. The dissolution of a law firm or the break-up of a professional relationship, is very much an emotional experience. Partners and colleagues working together for years develop close relationships and become work families. Together, attorneys celebrate victories and mourn losses. Colleagues comfort each other and cover for each other during trying times. Attorneys invest time in one another, partners to associates and associates to their mentors. Although most professional break-ups do not involve the ownership of a multimillion-dollar jingle, they do involve actual people with emotions and complicated relationships, the latter of which serve as the core of any good piece of theatre.
Cori A. Robinson is a solo practitioner having founded Cori A. Robinson PLLC, a New York and New Jersey law firm, in 2017. For more than a decade Cori has focused her law practice on trusts and estates and elder law including estate and Medicaid planning, probate and administration, estate litigation, and guardianships. She can be reached at cori@robinsonestatelaw.com.