Wally Thackerman: The Rival Lawyer and His Tangled Web

Overview

Wally Thackerman is a Braxton attorney who enters the story as the original drafter of Eleanor “Netty” Barnett’s will—a document laced with self‑dealing clauses that later become a flashpoint in the novel. Though he appears in only a handful of scenes, his actions set off a chain of legal and personal conflicts. Thackerman embodies the moral corrosion that runs through the legal profession in the book, serving as both a foil to Simon Latch and a living symbol of the greed that drives the plot.

Plot Role and Function

Thackerman’s primary function is to be the obstacle Simon must overcome in his quest to control Netty’s estate. By drafting a will that names himself as trustee and includes a hidden $485,000 gift (see the greed and exploitation theme page), he inadvertently reveals the vulnerability of a wealthy, isolated client. Simon uses Thackerman’s overreach to win Netty’s trust and replace the will with one even more favorable to himself.

Later, Thackerman becomes a witness in Simon’s murder trial. His testimony under oath—and his refusal to produce the original copy of the will—creates a moment of mutual protection between the two lawyers. The chapter outline shows that Thackerman nods at Simon after the judge upholds his work‑product claim, hinting at an unspoken agreement to keep each other’s secrets buried.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Thackerman is driven almost entirely by greed. The clearest evidence is the will language he inserted: a $485,000 “retainer” that Fran, his secretary, immediately recognized as a scam (chapter 4). He also charged $750 an hour—a rate he defends at trial by claiming big‑city firms charge more. Yet his competency is questionable: the will is so obviously self‑serving that it nearly guarantees a will contest.

He is also calculating and secretive. He refuses to hand over his copy of the will during discovery, citing attorney work‑product privilege (chapter 47). The judge upholds the objection, but the reader understands that Thackerman is protecting himself—not his client. He shows cowardice when Clyde Korsak attacks him: he hides under a table while Fran fires a warning shot (chapter 14).

Despite these flaws, Thackerman demonstrates a kind of professional solidarity with Simon. At trial, he gives a slight nod that says, “I’ll protect you. You protect me.” This suggests a code among corrupt lawyers: silence in exchange for silence.

Chronological Arc

• Before the novel opens: Thackerman drafts a will for Netty that gives him a substantial gift and broad trustee powers.
• Chapter 4: Simon reads the will and criticizes it harshly, securing Netty’s trust. Simon vows to do better—a dark promise.
• Chapter 8: Simon orchestrates the signing of a new will without notifying Thackerman. Netty asks if they should tell him; Simon says no.
• Chapter 14: Clyde Korsak attacks Thackerman in his office, demanding to see Netty’s will. Fran fires a gun to stop the beating.
• Chapter 22: Netty meets Thackerman under Simon’s orders. Thackerman questions her about Clyde; she lies as coach by Simon. The meeting is tense but uneventful.
• Chapter 47: Thackerman testifies at Simon’s trial. He describes the earlier will but refuses to produce the copy. The judge sides with him.
• Chapter 57: Simon probates Netty’s will; Teddy Hammer objects. Thackerman watches silently from the courtroom, perhaps relieved that his own scheme remains hidden.

Relationships

With Eleanor “Netty” Barnett

Thackerman treats Netty as a source of fees rather than a client. He never wins her trust; she describes feeling uneasy with him. When she later meets him in chapter 22, she pretends to accept the will he prepared, but she already knows Simon has probated a new one. The relationship is one of exploitation on Thackerman’s side and quiet deception on Netty’s.

With Simon Latch

The two lawyers share a competitive, wary respect. Simon sees Thackerman as a rival to be outmaneuvered. At the same time, both are willing to bend ethics for money. At trial, their mutual silence indicates a pragmatic alliance: Thackerman’s testimony harms Simon only indirectly, and Simon’s defense attorneys choose not to cross‑examine aggressively about the $485,000 gift (chapter 47). They are, in a sense, two sides of the same coin.

With Fran, His Secretary

Fran is complicit in Thackerman’s scheme: she typed the self‑serving will and accepted a $50,000 cash bonus (chapter 22). Yet she also saves his life when Clyde attacks. Fran’s loyalty is transactional—she supports Thackerman because she benefits.

With Clyde and Jerry Korsak

Thackerman has no direct relationship with the stepsons. Clyde’s assault stems from the belief that Thackerman controls Netty’s fortune. The attack is wholly a consequence of the will Thackerman drafted.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Theme and Symbol Connections

Greed and Exploitation

Thackerman is the first clear example of a professional exploiting a vulnerable elderly client. His will transforms Netty’s wealth into personal profit. This theme ties directly to the greed and exploitation page.

Deception and Secrecy

Both Thackerman and Simon operate behind a veil of secrecy. Thackerman hides the cash gift in a dense legal paragraph; Simon hides the new will. The deception and secrecy theme explores how legal language is weaponized to obscure the truth.

Miscarriage of Justice

Thackerman’s testimony could have revealed Simon’s own misconduct, but the privilege ruling suppresses it. The miscarriage of justice theme examines how the legal system protects lawyers over truth.

Moral Corruption

Thackerman’s arc shows how ordinary attorneys can drift into ethical violations. He does not start as a villain—he is simply a lawyer who sees an opportunity. The moral corruption theme uses him as a cautionary figure.

Isolation and Loneliness

Netty’s isolation makes her a target for both Thackerman and Simon. Thackerman’s scheme exploits her lack of family and advisors. See the isolation and loneliness page for broader context.

Five Book‑Specific Questions and Answers

1. Why did Wally Thackerman include a $485,000 gift to himself in Netty’s will?
   He disguised it as a retainer that would be “whittled down” later, but his secretary Fran recognized it as a scam (chapter 22). The gift was an upfront fee intended to secure his control of the estate.

2. Why did Thackerman refuse to produce his copy of the will during Simon’s trial?
   He invoked attorney work-product privilege (chapter 47). Because the will had not been probated and he was not charged with any crime, the judge upheld the objection, sparing him from revealing the self‑dealing clause.

3. How did Thackerman react when Clyde Korsak attacked him?
   He was knocked out of his chair, his nose bled, and he crawled under a table until Fran fired a warning shot (chapter 14). He pressed charges, leading to Clyde’s arrest on a $250,000 bond.

4. What did Thackerman and Simon silently agree to during the trial?
   By nodding at Simon after the judge protected his copy of the will, Thackerman signaled “I’ll protect you. You protect me.” Both lawyers understood that exposing the gift would hurt them equally, so they avoided mutual destruction.

5. What happened to Thackerman’s will after Netty died?
   Simon probated his own version of the will, effectively revoking Thackerman’s. Wally watched from the courtroom as Teddy Hammer objected to Simon’s will on grounds of undue influence (chapter 57). Thackerman’s original document, with its secret gift, remained hidden.