There's a sign out front.

I didn't see a sign.

Ignorance is no excuse.

You're a prosecutor, aren't you?

Assistant United States Attorney's to the right,

Federal Public Defenders to the left.

You can sit together if you'd like, but if I've learned anything

after 27 years of doing this, it's that you don't like to sit together.

The Southern District of New York, the highest profile trial court in America.

The cases are hard, the stakes are high.

The lawyers on the other side are better than you.

Some of you won't succeed.

Some of you are not worthy.

But for those of you who are, your time here will be the highlight of your career.

Welcome to "The Mother Court."

Inside these envelopes is your first case.

You're not gonna win.

Jay?

My office.

Did that sound like "Jay, come to my office so I can fire you" ?

Or... "Jay, you're clearly my favorite!" ?

- No, not that one. - What was the first one again?

This is your first case.

I expect you to win.

Can I ask you a question?

I don't want to be the help desk for every man in this office

too lazy to look something up for himself.

Were you too lazy to look this up for yourself?

I can look this up myself.

I'm giving this case to you because I think you can connect with her.

I'm giving this case to you because I know you will want to crush her.

Because you understand the rule breakers.

Because you believe in the rule of law.

Do your best.

Win.

I'm the guy you don't wanna go up against.

I've been fighting with people like you my whole life.

And I like it.

You went up against Sandra Bell, right?

I don't like her.

I don't like what she represents.

I don't like WHO she represents.

My client tried to blow up The Statue of Liberty.

If I ever got arrested?

She'd probably be the first person I'd call.

You literally broke my brain.

Leonard doesn't think you're ready for this case.

Well he's right.

Neither one of us is ready for a case like this,

but I'm at least humble enough to recognize it.

Never been a fan of humility.

Is this what I wanted to be when I was growing up?

Yes.

I'm all in.

Total commitment.

They're young, they're hungry, they're smart.

Let them fight it out.

On your report card where it said "works well with others,"

did you ever get a check by that?