Debut novel from the author of the true-crime award winner "Crossing Hoffa: A Teamster's Story" "The Partnership" opens a window into a secret world. A mysterious death, illicit romantic liaisons, courtroom drama, and crises of personal conscience frame a titanic struggle at the nation's most lucrative law firm. A twenty-first-century legal thriller with a twist, "The Partnership" reveals what happens to rich and powerful insiders as the business school mentality extends its tentacles across a once-noble profession. The themes resonate; "The Bonfire of the Vanities" still burns. Albert Knight has reached the pinnacle of power as one of the "magnificent seven"-leaders of the international legal powerhouse Michelman & Samson. Only one step remains: Knight and his archenemy Ronald Ratkin are front-runners to replace the Executive Committee's retiring chairman. Knight and Ratkin were once best friends, but that was long ago. Despite their twenty-year animosity, each has embraced the firm's transformation to a bottom-line business and the stunning wealth it produces. As the price of success, they endure and inflict profound personal damage along the way. When gifted trial lawyer Ronald Ratkin's $100 million client defies protocol by interrupting the sacrosanct Executive Committee meeting, all seven attorneys are suspicious. The news, Ratkin suspects, could upset his ongoing billion-dollar trial, send stocks plummeting, and destroy his client, his law firm, and his personal wealth. But the wily Ratkin has a foolproof plan. Or will his own greed and that of his fellow partners undo him? *** Praise for "Crossing Hoffa": "One of the Best Books of the Year" -Chicago Tribune "Gripping, tender, and intriguing" -Scott Turow "A tale of mystery and intrigue . . . unique and personal" -Booklist "Tightly woven and gritty . . . poignant and personal" -American Lawyer "Riveting eyewitness history . . . Bravo!" -Charles Brandt "A must-read" -Prof. Steven Lubet
Steven J. Harper is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University and a regular contributor to "The American Lawyer (AM LAW DAILY)." In addition to "The Partnership," he has written two non-fiction books: true-crime award winner, "Crossing Hoffa: A Teamster's Story" (a Chicago Tribune "Best Book of the Year") and "Straddling Worlds: The Jewish-American Journey of Professor Richard W. Leopold."
His award-winning blog is "The Belly of the Beast" (thebellyofthebeast.wordpress.com).
Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. For thirty years, he was a litigator at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, a large law firm that he joined upon graduation from Harvard Law School. He received combined B.A. and M.A. degrees in economics from Northwestern. He and his wife have three adult children and live in suburban Chicago. Visit his website at stevenjharper.com
