Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 5

The following Thursday Max, Dan and Allie arrived at the Phillips Anderson head office for their meeting, and as soon as they were shown into the boardroom Allie connected to the Wi-Fi and the screen so she could drive the presentation. The group's board arrived and the chair began with introductions on their side. Max went next and then Allie. As soon as she spoke there was a palpable increase in interest because of the unfamiliar English accent. Once Dan had introduced himself Max ran through the purpose of the meeting, before Allie began laying out the options for structuring the sale of the UK group. She finished with a recommendation that they keep The UK sale provisionally separate, with a view to allowing the eventual purchaser a transitional service agreement to allow them to continue using Phillips IT and other shared services whilst the buyer set up new facilities. This would allow maximum flexibilty should a buyer decide to take the whole group, would avoid the cost and time of Phillips buying new IT ahead of a sale, and as Allie pointed out, "if HRM were to write the agreement, there would be a revenue stream for Phillips for providing services to the buyer, and significant penalties if the buyer's new separate IT and other services were not ready on time. You guys will want to focus your management time and energy on the remainder of the group, and the expansion you want to move forward with there. These penalties would help protect against the process dragging on beyond an agreed, reasonable period post sale."

Max scanned 'round the table. He was inwardly glowing with satisfaction since he could tell everyone was seriously impressed with Allie. Dan took over, laying out the services the firm could provide to support the expansion of the remaining portion of the group. Just as Allie had, he emphasised the commercial edge engaging their expertise could bring. The meeting ended with a few questions for Allie which she was able to easily handle. They headed back to the car and Max took them on a detour for lunch. Waiting for the food to arrive he was uncharacteristically serious, "You two made me real proud today. I was watching the board looking at one another and you completely blew them away. We're going to find more opportunities like this for you two, you make one hell of a team." Daniel and Allie grinned and Daniel said, "works for me!" Allie laughed and nudged Max, "You know he's one of my most favourite people in the world, so works for me too."

The following Monday Allie saw a thirty minute meeting request arrive from Max for her and Dan at four, which just said Phillips UK. When four arrived she knocked and walked into his office, seeing Daniel already there through the glass panel. She could tell Max was very pleased with himself and raised an eyebrow at Dan, who shrugged to indicate he had no idea what was going on either. Max leaned across the meeting desk, "I got a call from the Phillips Anderson CEO late on Thursday. He wants to take Allie's recommendation for the sale approach for their UK group, and he wants us to go over with him to London next month to brief the UK management team, and also float the management buy-out opportunity. I didn't want to talk to you guys about it until I'd had a couple of conversations over the weekend. I think we can use this trip on a few levels. So firstly Margie and I have a significant anniversary I needed to come up with something for, and a trip to London would tick just the right boxes. I asked her at the weekend and she said she'd be really happy to watch Emmie while you're busy Dan, so you could bring her with you. There's also a US/UK law conference in London next month that Landon had already mentioned to me because he was thinking of sending Michael. I think it would be a great opportunity for you guys too, and if we schedule the Phillips meeting for the same week we can all travel together and use the same trip.

Allie looked slightly stunned and Daniel looked hesitant, "Are you sure Margie won't mind watching Emmie? I mean she'll be in a strange country so it won't be like watching her here." Max waved dismissively, "I'll be with her while you three go to the conference, and Michael will be with her while we do the Phillips meeting." Daniel's face relaxed a little "Seems like you've thought of everything." Turning to Allie he said, "What do you think? Think you could show us around London?" Allie started to smile, "Sounds like it could be fun. Michael hasn't said a word though. Has Landon told him yet?" Max shook his head, "No, I called him this morning and he's telling him today, so you guys can talk about when you get home. Anyway, have a think about it all tonight, and let me know tomorrow. If you're happy to make the trip we can all do dinner to make the arrangements."

Walking out of Max's office Dan said, "Hey, let's get a coffee Allie." They got drinks and sat in Daniel's office to talk. Allie tried to not sound too eager knowing that Daniel had Emmie to consider, "What do you think Dan?" He smiled, "It sounds amazing and I'd love to go, but do you really think I could manage with Emmie along for the ride? Allie tried to reassure him "We'd all be with you to help, and you know Margie loves having her. And the Phillips meeting will only last a couple of hours." She laughed, "It could be like our dysfunctional family trip." He couldn't help laugh in response. "Let me know what Michael says." Allie got up to leave and bent to wrap her arms around him, "Dan, I don't want to go without you, so please come. Michael will probably be more trouble than Emmie, but I know he'll say the same as me."

Michael arrived home around twenty minutes after her. He was grinning broadly and his first words when he came into the apartment were, "So we're off on a weird family trip to Europe Allie!" She doubled over laughing, "That's pretty much how I described it to Dan. I take it you think we should all go? Dan's worried about how he'll manage with having Emmie with us." He held her around the waist and nuzzled her neck, "Hell yeah. I'll call him tomorrow, it'll be fine. I can help Margie while you guys do that client meeting, and Max will be with her while we're on the conference."

Once the dates were fixed Allie had an idea she tentatively ran by the others at their planning dinner. The conference was on the Tuesday and Wednesday. Max had set up a meeting in the afternoon with some of the London office partners for him, Daniel and Allie on the Monday. The Phillips meeting was after the conference on the Thursday and they planned to fly back on Friday. Glancing at Michael who squeezed her hand in support Allie said, "I'd really like to go and check on my house and I'd love to show you guys the village I grew up in. If we flew on the Friday we could stay up north for the weekend and get over the jet lag before going to London by train on Monday morning. We could all just about fit in my house." She waited nervously for their response. Daniel said straightaway, "That would actually be great to relax and get Emmie over the jet lag before we get to a hotel." Max and Margie exchanged smiles and Max said "We'd love to come and see where the hell you sprang from Allie."