A broke law student takes on an insurance giant and wins big — too big to collect.
Who drives the story
A broke, idealistic third-year law student who dreams of being a rainmaker. He wins the trial of a lifetime, then watches the verdict evaporate — and walks away from the law entirely.
A teenage patient recovering from her abusive husband Cliff's beatings, afraid divorce will get her killed. Rudy helps her escape; the escape costs Cliff his life and nearly costs them both theirs.
A former insurance assessor who failed the bar six times, now Rudy's unethical but effective partner. His insider knowledge of claims handling guts Great Benefit at trial.
The grieving parents of Donny Ray, a leukemia-stricken boy denied a transplant his twin could have given. They win $50.2 million and collect nothing — yet Dot believes she destroyed the company that killed her son.
A ruthless, corrupt ambulance chaser who gives Rudy his only job. His FBI raid forces Rudy to sink or swim on his own.
Also in the story
Rudy's 80-year-old elder law client who wants a revised will — a gentle subplot threading through his descent into the trial of his life.
How they are connected
Rudy helps her escape; the escape costs Cliff his life and nearly costs them both theirs.
A former insurance assessor who failed the bar six times, now Rudy's unethical but effective partner.
A ruthless, corrupt ambulance chaser who gives Rudy his only job.
Rudy's 80-year-old elder law client who wants a revised will — a gentle subplot threading through his descent into the trial of his life.
Go deeper
Justice on paper, denied in practice · The business model of cruelty · The rainmaker myth · Escape from violence
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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