The Vow

This is the second of a series of "Ted Born" novels involving a fictitious lawyer who happens to attract very challenging lawsuits, a sequel to the other recently released Ted Born novel, "The Impossible Mock Orange Trial," this time set some fifteen years later than the events of that first release. Ted finds himself a defendant against claims that could ruin him financially and destroy his personal and professional reputation, involving his succeeding the deceased brother of his impaired but wealthy philanthropist client, Alexander Carr, as manager of the client's affairs. A judge who seems likely to preside over the upcoming trial seems skeptical of Born's position, and possibly hostile. To complicate matters further, Born's own law firm, and his Firm's malpractice insurance carrier, are unhappy with this messy situation and want Born to get out of the case. With the client's family seemingly united against Born, his own law firm pressuring him to get out of the case, and facing a trial before an unfavorable judge, Born has to decide what course to take in accordance with his own values and ethics. This case raises questions about professional responsibility and basic right and wrong in the context of the vulnerable population of older persons whose longstanding estate planning efforts are in jeopardy due to members of their own families who are intent on scuttling the wishes and plans of the testator and substituting their own ideas. Ted Born wins against all odds and the client's intentions respecting the disposition of his assets are honored. The book takes the reader through contentious trial preparations and the trial itself, with the aftermath effect on Born and on the members of the Carr family, attorneys and others involved in the case. The novel deals with an increasingly recurring issue of family members who attempt to take advantage of vulnerable older persons and undo their true desires and intentions.