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The Verdict was the name of the movie I chose to view for this assignment. The leader in this movie was a lawyer named, Frank Galvin, played by Paul Newman. Frank Galvin is a washed up alcoholic lawyer who in the beginning of the movie is reduced to becoming a perpetual ambulance chaser. Initially his leadership skills are almost non-existent. He has no drive left. One of his associates, Mickey Morrissey, meets him at the office and notices once again that Frank is drunk and passed out on his office couch.
Mickey tells Frank he is not going to send any more business his way because he doesn’t seem to put any sincere effort into his cases anymore. Mickey tells him to clean up for this one last case he is sending. It’s a chance to make big money on a medical malpractice suit where a young woman, Karen Ann Quinlan, enters the hospital in labor with her third child, and was given the wrong anesthetic which left her a vegetable for life. Karen’s sister is seeking retribution. The hospital where this occurred is owned by the Archdiocese.
Everyone is willing to settle out of court. Frank Galvin takes the case based on profit but later discovers he is doing the right thing for the victim, her family, and his reputation. He wants to get even more money for the victim’s family. So when the lawyers for the Archdiocese offers Frank $210,000. 00, he automatically refuses the money and decides to go to court for more. He does not consult his clients who later find out about the offer and are furious. They would have taken it.
Now they are stuck going to court for a case in which they may lose completely. Frank reassures them he will win; but as the movie unfolds the rival law team for the defendant is working behind the scenes to sabotage his chances. They plant a woman into his path that becomes his girlfriend but is spying for the Archdiocese. His star witness, another doctor, suddenly takes off to the Caribbean the day before the court case starts. He is persistent in overcoming many obstacles throughout the movie exhibiting great leadership qualities.
Many times he stood up to his adversaries with courage and blatant defiance. His motive was pure; however, he was fighting a battle that nobody else wished to enter into. In my opinion, this became more of an egotistical standpoint for Frank Galvin. In the end, Frank wins the court case and the victim’s family members receive a settlement far above their initial request. Although it worked out in the end, I believe the risk that Frank Galvin took was far too great. As a leader, he did not exhibit onsistently admirable leadership skills due to his lack of communication to his clients, his wavering belief in himself, and his own ego. The lessons from the movie would make a difference in what I may choose to do in future leadership positions in that I would definitely consult others when my decisions affect their lives or their jobs. I would be equally as persistent as Frank Galvin in my efforts to do the right thing, but I would try to make sure the battles of my own making are not putting anyone else at risk.