Will Gardner quotes from The Good Wife

Will

You're here early.

Alicia

Ah, [points to Cary] but not the first.

Cary

Just prepping for court.

Will

By reading case law, huh? You're better off watching experienced trial lawyers.

Cary

Yeah, well, new kid on the block. I don't get much opportunity to shadow seniors. Though I have learned a lot by watching Alicia. She's definitely got some serious skills.

Will

We suspect it's a Georgetown thing.

Cary

No doubt. No doubt. Yeah, that's a long time to stay friends. Since college and all. So, it's really commendable-- you championing her the way that you do.

Will

Yeah, know what's great about someone like Alicia? She's a natural. She doesn't have to try so hard.

Mr. Gardner, how long would it take to depose these witnesses?

Will

To properly prepare and depose, I would say one month.

You have three days.

Will

Three? But, Your Honor, that isn't...

Now you have two days. Want to try for one?

Will

No, thank you, Your Honor.

Your Honor, if I could just interject here. These executives are very busy people. Even two hours out of their work day...

Ms. Nyholm, you just gave Mr. Gardner back his third day. Would you like to give him a fourth?

No, Your Honor. I'll stop.

Good.

Will

You have a lifeboat that holds 15 people or one person... who do you put in it?

Diane

Is one a priest and one a rabbi?

Will

It's not like law school, is it?

Alicia

It's better. I always felt unsure in law school.

Will

Really? Could have fooled me.

Alicia

I did fool you.

You think I killed my wife?

Alicia

Of course.

Will

Look, you pay us to represent your interests...

Even though her body was never found?

Alicia

I'm sure you found ways to dispose of it.

Chopped her up and buried her in a landfill somewhere?

Alicia

Or in Lake Michigan.

And my alibi?

Alicia

That you were driving from St. Louis to Chicago at the time?

So you have no problem representing a murderer?

Alicia

Oh, I have a great problem with it.

But you'll do it anyway?

Alicia

Unless you'd like to exclude me.

Oh, not for the world.

Will

So, are they going to go with electronic monitoring?

Alicia

For Peter? Yes, if he wins the appeal.

Will

Kids are excited?

Alicia

Yeah... but nervous.

Will

And you?

Alicia

Same.

Will

It's going to be weird, huh?

Alicia

What do you mean?

Will

I don't know what I mean. [awkward silence] We said we'd have dinner, didn't we?

Alicia

Yes. We should.

Will

I don't understand marriage.

Diane

It's a mysterious institution.

Will

You never wanted it?

Diane

Is that a proposal?

Will

[ironically] Yes. I've been watching you from afar. [she chuckles]

Will

Nice work on Broussard today.

Diane

Thanks.

Will

Look, I know we're going through a lot of turmoil here over the direction of the firm, with Stern gone and all, but wherever we end up... I respect you, Diane.

Diane

Didn't they say that to Secretariat before they put him down?

Will

I don't think they said "Diane".

Alicia

I checked with Diane. Why I'm no longer on the Broussard homicide. She said it was your decision.

Will

Yes.

Alicia

I just wanted to make sure I hadn't done anything wrong.

Will

No, no, no, no. Of course not.

Alicia

Then I don't get it.

Will

Maybe it was a mistake. I... I've been feeling guilty lately about pulling you away from the Rucker defense and the Memorial North suit. I just thought that... I just thought with Peter coming home... your life's complicated enough. I should give you a break.

Alicia

But I don't want a break. I want to be here. I want to be doing a good job.

Will

You are doing a good job.

Alicia

Then use me. Peter can take care of himself. He's irrelevant to this. I want to be here.

Will

I want you to be here.

Alicia

Then... then I'm here.

Will

Okay.

Will

We represent murderers. We get them off.

Diane

No. We keep the courts honest.

Will

And why shouldn't the courts be kept honest about Bishop? Everybody deserves representation. Does that stop suddenly when it comes to--

Diane

A criminal organization whose sole purpose is to sell drugs and to murder to control territory?

Will

Sure. Put it any way you want, it's still a true statement.

Diane

We're doing this for the money.

Will

Of course we are. We're not a charity! We do this or we lay off half of Acquisitions. That's ten lawyers and ten families.

Diane

Not to mention your season tickets.

Diane

Didn't we agree to not take this?

Will

No, we agreed to cut the flowers and the paper cups. The least I can do is take the cases I want.

Diane

You sure this isn't pride?

Will

Of course, it's pride. What's wrong with pride? Pride built the pyramids.

Diane

And Watergate.

Will

I would like a ruling on my objection.

You are trying my patience...

Will

I understand that, Your Honor, but we both know if you don't use the proper form of 'sustained' or 'overruled', the matter can't later be appealed. And I was surprised in reviewing your past court cases, how often you encouraged lawyers to move on without actually ruling, therefore avoided having your non rulings overturned on appeal. [he pauses] In my opinion.

Mr. Gardner, I have never been quite so offended in all my years on the bench.

Will

I understand that, Your Honor, but I still want a ruling. A ruling I can appeal.

Will

[about having a third partner] You're okay with giving up a third?

Diane

Of what, a sinking ship? Sure. We'll kill each other if we don't find a referee.

Will

A third partner? Someone neutral, someone we both agree on? [she nods and they clink glasses] An optimism fills the void.

Diane

I think that's alcohol.

Will

Just as good.

What the hell was that?

Will

Do you have a map?

A what?

Will

A map, so I can show you were you live. That, my friend, was a Chicago defense. Get used to it.