Chapter 6 Summary: Judge’s Ruling and McEvoy Joins the Team

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary (Chronological)

Monday morning at nine, Judge Ruhlin delivers her rulings via email. She issues a split decision: she allows Rikki Patel to testify as a plaintiff’s witness, but she also permits Tidalwaiv to keep its redactions on discovery materials. The judge leaves the plaintiff’s attorney—Mickey Haller—to decide whether to hire a special master at his own expense to review the thousands of documents and determine which redactions should be removed. Haller had expected the opposite outcome: he thought he would lose Patel but gain unredacted discovery. Now he must weigh whether to delay the trial by months or longer by using a special master, while Tidalwaiv may appeal the Patel ruling to slow the case further.

Later that morning, Jack McEvoy arrives at Haller’s warehouse in the Arts District. Haller walks him past a Faraday cage where his team—Cisco Wojciechowski and Lorna Taylor—are working. The cage is a chain-link cube draped with copper mesh to block electronic intrusion. Inside are two tables stacked with printed discovery documents, a desktop computer with twin monitors, and a twelve-terabyte external hard drive that is taken home each night in a locking Faraday bag. Haller explains that he assumes Tidalwaiv might try to gather intelligence on the case. McEvoy asks if there has been an intrusion, and Lorna says they are trying to avoid one. Cisco’s tone suggests he considers the question naïve.

Haller leads McEvoy to his small office, which once served as a taxi dispatch room. After confirming that Cisco’s background check found McEvoy clean—including the fact that McEvoy served sixty-three days in jail for protecting a source—Haller presents three documents for McEvoy to sign. The first is a nondisclosure agreement that prevents McEvoy from revealing anything about the case until the trial concludes by settlement or verdict. The second is a declaration that McEvoy is not working for Tidalwaiv in any capacity. The third gives Haller the right to see the manuscript before publication. McEvoy initially refuses the third condition, citing journalistic ethics. Haller counters that inside the cage McEvoy will be part of the plaintiff’s team and bound by attorney-client privilege; he insists that signing is not negotiable. McEvoy asks if he can have a lawyer review the documents. Haller agrees but warns that McEvoy cannot enter the cage until the signed papers are in the safe. McEvoy decides to sign immediately, joking about the irony that Haller had criticized NDAs in court but now requires one. Haller places the signed documents in an old safe whose combination has been lost. He then tells McEvoy that the case will be won or lost in discovery and asks him to work with Lorna in the cage to find what Tidalwaiv is hiding in its redactions.

Key Events

Judge Ruhlin issues a split ruling: Patel can testify, but redactions remain.
Haller must choose between using a special master (with delay) or proceeding with redacted discovery.
McEvoy arrives at the warehouse and sees the Faraday cage.
Haller explains the security measures, including nightly removal of the hard drive.
Cisco’s background check confirms McEvoy’s history of protecting a source.
Haller presents three documents: NDA, declaration of non-involvement with Tidalwaiv, and manuscript review clause.
McEvoy initially resists the manuscript review but ultimately signs all three.
Haller files the signed documents in a non-functional safe.
Haller assigns McEvoy to the cage to search for hidden information in the redactions.

Character Development

Mickey Haller demonstrates strategic caution by requiring signed agreements before letting McEvoy into the case. He trusts his team (Cisco) but remains skeptical of outsiders. His decision to wiretap the meeting (camera and audio) further shows his methodical, defensive approach.
Jack McEvoy undergoes a shift from journalist to team member. He values his independence but chooses to accept Haller’s terms to gain access. His willingness to sign the NDA despite its irony reveals his commitment to the story.
Cisco Wojciechowski shows loyalty and protectiveness. His gruff tone toward McEvoy and his thorough background check indicate he prioritizes security over politeness.
Lorna Taylor is focused and practical, treating the cage as a secure workspace.
Judge Ruhlin appears conflicted; her split ruling avoids outright favoring either side but places burdens on the plaintiff.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and surveillance: Haller’s office camera and recording system symbolize his distrust. The Faraday cage and locking bags represent physical barriers against electronic surveillance.
Confidentiality versus transparency: The chapter contrasts Haller’s complaint about corporate NDAs with his own strict NDA for McEvoy. The redactions in discovery highlight the tension between hiding and revealing information.
The cost of justice: Haller must balance the financial and time costs of a special master against the possibility of gaining crucial evidence. The triple-A settlement (accountability, action, apology) underscores that the plaintiff values more than money.
Information as power: The redacted documents are the battlefield. Haller believes the case will be won by uncovering what Tidalwaiv is hiding.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 6 establishes the operational framework for the remainder of the pretrial phase. Judge Ruhlin’s ruling forces Haller to make a high-stakes choice about delay. More important, the chapter formally introduces McEvoy as a member of the plaintiff’s team, setting up his future perspective on the case. The security measures and the focus on discovery redactions signal that the trial’s outcome will hinge on evidence rather than courtroom theatrics. The agreements McEvoy signs also lay the groundwork for potential conflicts between his journalistic instincts and his legal obligations.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Haller require McEvoy to sign a manuscript review clause?
Haller wants to ensure that nothing in McEvoy’s book violates attorney-client privilege or harms the case. He views McEvoy as an employee and work product as subject to employer approval.
What is the significance of the Faraday cage in this chapter?
The cage blocks all electronic signals, preventing remote data theft or intrusion. It reflects Haller’s belief that Tidalwaiv might try to gather intelligence on the plaintiff’s strategy through digital means.
How does Judge Ruhlin’s split decision affect Haller’s strategy?
Haller expected to lose Patel but gain unredacted documents. Instead, he gains Patel but must either spend money on a special master or proceed with incomplete discovery. He now must decide whether to delay the trial, while Tidalwaiv may appeal the Patel ruling to further slow proceedings.

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