Author: Marissa DeCuir

LAKEVILLE, Connecticut – Prolific lawyer-turned-fiction writer T.C. Morrison is back with his signature humor and  incisive social commentary, exposing the absurdities of modern American litigation with his latest side-splitting satire, “Send in The Tort Lawyer$” (Sept. 12, 2023, iBooks). Prepare to  laugh until you cry as fearless tort lawyers Pap and Pup navigate uproarious lawsuits that are endemic of our time. 

In “Send in The Tort Lawyer$”, Patrick A. Peters (“Pap”) and Prescott U. Peters (“Pup”) — whose zany exploits delighted readers in Morrison’s previous standalone novels — find themselves in a lawsuit on behalf of consumers who bought what turned out to be worthless crypto currency from the now bankrupt FUX; lawsuits challenging the labeling of Godiva Belgian Chocolates and a Vermont company’s ice cream purportedly made from the milk of “happy cows”; and yet another lawsuit on behalf of the unforgettable Lydia Lowlace, who’s image from Playboy is now part of a collection of non-fungible tokens sold by an off-shore start-up.

Morrison, who spent over 40 years trying cases around the country and arguing appeals in eight of the 11 federal courts of appeal, brilliantly weaves a tale that will reduce readers to tears while also examining modern-day American litigation and the abuses of the class-action system. Poking good-natured fun at his own profession and its practitioners, “Send in The Tort Lawyer$” is sure to delight with its humor and message.

“Send in The Tort Lawyer$”

T.C. Morrison | Sept. 12, 2023 | iBooks | Fiction 

Hardcover | 9781596879867 | $27.95 

Other Books by T.C. Morrison

“This excellent satire exposes the extreme tort judicial excesses of today. … Read this book for the rare combination of enjoyment and education.” — Gene Dattel, retired investment banker and author

“Tort$ R Us”

Patrick A. Peters (“Pap”) and his twin brother Prescott U. Peters (“Pup”) are lawyers with a distinctive eye for opportunity. Pap convinces Pup, who is a good lawyer despite having gone to Yale Law School, that they should leave their respective big-firm practices in New York City to start up a hopefully lucrative practice as plaintiffs’ class action lawyers. The brothers meet a variety of clients, judges, and lawyers as they embark on a resourceful and unique approach to lawyer-client relationships all inspired by actual court cases. Written with humor and parlance that only comes from a depth of legal experience, Morrison captures the trials and tribulations of human behavior that strike a chord with every reader.

“Another riotous romp through the courts … A fun read for anyone interested in seeing the
lighter side of the staid legal profession.” — Bob Scherer, retired trademark lawyer

“Please Pass the Tort$”

Patrick A. Peters (“Pap”) and Prescott U. Peters (“Pup”), the intrepid tort lawyers whose zany exploits delighted readers of Torts R Us, return with another round of legal shenanigans guaranteed to make you laugh until you cry. Their latest antics include a lawsuit against the Russian government for entrapping a well-known Congressman in a honey trap, attempting to liberate all the chimpanzees in the Bronx Zoo, and representing the unforgettable Lydia Lowlace in lawsuits against unscrupulous strip club owners and video game makers who have taken advantage of her sudden fame. The brothers even concoct a plan to revitalize Connecticut’s three poorest cities by turning them into a mecca for nationwide tort lawsuits. Settle into your favorite chair to make sure you don’t fall on the floor laughing at the latest exploits of these lovable lawyers who will stop at nothing in their pursuit of publicity, fame, fun and money.

About the Author

T.C. MORRISON grew up in Columbus, Ohio. A graduate of Otterbein University (Ohio) and New York University School Of Law, Morrison followed his education with four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. He then returned to the New York City law firm Rogers and Wells where he had been a summer associate, becoming a partner in 1975. In 1977, he joined Patterson Belknap Webb and Tyler, where he served as a litigation partner for 34 years and became a well-known leader in the field of advertising and trademark litigation. He spent his last five years as a partner in the New York office of the Los Angeles-based firm Manett, Phelps and Phillips.

During his final year of practice, Morrison began thinking about his long-held desire to write a novel. Believing that most lawyers take themselves far too seriously, he conceived the idea of a farcical novel about class action lawyers and their quest for fame and fortune, often at the expense of their clients, leading to his first “book, Tort$ ‘R’ Us.” His second book, “Please Pass the Tort$,” received exclusively five-star reviews on Amazon and was featured in an article by Mackensie Dawson in the December 5, 2021 issue of the New York Post. Learn more about Morrison’s work at https://tortsrusbook.com/.

In an interview, T.C. Morrison can discuss:

• How his latest book delves into the timely issue of cryptocurrency
• Balancing humor with a tongue-in-cheek look at the legal system
• Using satire as a tool for analyzing America’s legal system, specifically the abuses of the class-action system
• What he hopes readers will glean from his work and the important insight it provides into the American justice system
• His time as a partner at law firms, the impact he made with his practice and how that has informed his writing

An interview with T.C. Morrison

1. What first drew you to writing fiction? 

I have a lifelong love of fiction and have always wanted to write a novel. In fact, during my four years in the Air Force, I wrote a “spy” novel.  Fortunately, it was never published.  As my legal career wound down, I resumed thinking about writing a novel. I quickly realized that, while I knew nothing about spies except what I read in spy novels, I knew a lot about lawyers and lawsuits. And it didn’t take me long to realize that I did not want to write a legal “thriller” or any kind of nonfiction book about the law; I wanted to write a satire about the profession that would generate lots of laughs.

2. Why did you decide to use satire specifically to get your points across regarding the American legal system?

My objective was not to make a point about the American legal system but to write a humorous book about my profession. I have always thought that many, maybe most, lawyers take themselves too seriously and that there is a lot of humor in the cases we litigate and the way we interact with adversaries and judges. Now, the abuse of the class-action mechanism is, in my judgment, one of  the best examples of the excesses of American litigation. But a “serious” book on that subject would be of scant interest to most readers. By making my protagonists lovable rascals who bring sometimes dubious class actions on behalf of clients who are lovable eccentrics, I can serve up the humor in a way that also makes a serious point about modern class action litigation.  

3. Where did this story come from? Did you pull any real experiences from cases during your practice?

Every case in book one (“Tort$ R Us”) and most of the cases in books two and three are takeoffs on real cases. And the cases in the first part of book one — which explore Pap’s and Pup’s legal careers before they formed their class-action firm — are all based on cases that I personally tried. So while my starting point is real-life cases, the nice thing about writing legal fiction is that you can change the facts to suit your purpose. For example, while there have indeed been several cases involving attempts to free chimpanzees and elephants from zoos, none of them have centered on the use of an expert in animal communication to speak with the animals and recount the animals’ feelings and wishes in courtroom testimony. My character Dr. Doolittle — who appears in both books two and three —  does just that to great comic effect.

4. Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration was Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22,” which I read on my way to Korea in the Air Force. I loved the way Heller was able to turn everything — every character and every conversation — into farce. The numerous spurious class-action cases filed every year, and the constant ads by class-action lawyers soliciting clients to avenge every imaginable wrong, provide the necessary fodder for my efforts.    

5. Not to spoil anything, but your new book centers on the hot topic of cryptocurrency. What drew you to writing about NFTs and did you do any special research to learn more about them?

The news of the FTX cryptocurrency debacle was breaking just as I was starting to write the current book. The story was covered daily in both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post, and I supplemented those stories with online research. The underlying story was so preposterous — people pouring billions of dollars into a cryptocurrency that had no inherent value and a company run by a 30-year-old kid wearing shorts, sandals and a T-shirt who was thought to be brilliant because he was so eccentric — needed no fictional embellishment. I didn’t have to make anything up; it all happened in real life.  This case is the exception to most of the cases in my books: It is actually a perfect use of class-action litigation as millions of people suffered huge financial losses due to a really bad scheme. I used my deep experience in false advertising litigation to come up with a remedy for Pap and Pup to pursue on behalf of the individuals who lost tons of money in the scheme and who could never recover their losses from the company itself.

6. What do your fellow lawyers think about your fiction work?

My fellow colleagues in the profession have uniformly loved the first two books. That includes former partners, former clients and a couple of federal judges. One of them said he had not laughed so hard since reading “Portnoy’s Complaint.” Even the executive director of the Tort Museum — the Ralph Nader-funded museum in Winstead, Connecticut, that is a shrine to tort lawyers — enjoyed the book and engaged with me in a fun podcast. While the class-action lawyers who advertise on television for clients may not appreciate the books, I think most lawyers recognize that there is lots of humor in our profession and especially in the ever-growing number of lawsuits filed to redress every conceivable wrong.

7. How does this new book differ from your previous books?

This book is really a continuation of the saga of Pap and Pup and their innovative,  aggressive class-action law firm. A new associate has joined the firm, and Chip, the firm’s wildly successful Lothario, quickly beds her as well as a new client while maintaining his relationships with Candy (the firm’s voluptuous paralegal), Lydia (the former lap dancer and Playboy centerfold) and Francoise (his live-in girlfriend). New wacky clients are introduced, including Dr. Irene Goodknight (a sleep doctor) and Peachy Keane (a retired advertising executive), and Dr. Doolittle (the animal communicator) is pressed into action in two separate cases. What is different in this book is that one of the firm’s new cases — against celebrities who shamelessly promoted the sale of cryptocurrency by the now bankrupt FUX company — is an appropriate and sound use of the class-action mechanism. 

8. What projects are you working on next?

I am a bit of a one-trick pony so I plan to continue with another book in the Pap and Pup series. My computer consultant, who has helped me with computer matters for all three books, has suggested I bring AI into the picture. This is, of course, a huge development  with enormous consequences for the country;  it is also chock full of legal issues, some of which are quite amusing. For example, an AI “lawyer” was named to the best lawyers in America list; a lawyer was recently rebuked by a judge for filing a brief full of phony precedents that was generated by AI; and a recent lawsuit was generated solely by AI.  So, this field is rife with possibilities.

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

NEW YORK, New York – In her upcoming memoir, award-winning journalist Kate Brookes shares the story of her daughter’s transition and the harsh realities facing transgender kids and their families.

“Transister” (She Writes Press, Aug. 8, 2023) is the story of a family in transition. Not a prescriptive narrative but an affirming one. A raw, honest, sometimes humorous account of Brookes’ journey as her young child grapples with gender identity and becomes her authentic self.

Brookes has longed to become a mother for as long as she can remember. And for almost as long, she has harbored a fierce determination to parent her children differently — better — than her own mentally ill mom parented her. To create the “normal” family she’s always wished for. And when she gives birth to twins after two years of fertility struggles, she is, admittedly, hugely relieved that she’s found herself with two boys. There will be no need for her, a decidedly un-girly girl, to braid hair, buy Barbie dolls, or pick out party dresses for her kids. Boys. Easy. Right?

By the time her twins are 8, Brookes has had two realizations: 1) her obstetrician’s “it’s another boy” announcement was flat-out wrong, and 2) there is no such thing as a “normal” family — and that’s a beautiful thing.

“Transister: Raising My Twins in a Gender Bender World”

Kate Brookes | Aug. 8, 2023 | She Writes Press | Memoir 

Paperback | 9781647425210 | $17.95 

Ebook | 9781647425227 | $8.99 

About the Author

Kate Brookes is the author of “Transister” (She Writes Press, Aug. 8, 2023). She is an award-winning TV reporter/anchor-turned-producer/filmmaker who has interviewed everyone from Beyonce to the late Barbara Walters, field produced for The Discovery Channel, written for Today.com, and emceed galas, live events, and webcasts for nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies. An activist since her teenage years, Kate has devoted countless hours to the causes she supports, including mental health, housing justice, and anti-gun legislation. But it wasn’t until realizing she’d completely botched the birth announcement for her twins that she became active in LGBTQ causes. Kate lives with her husband and rock star children in New York City. Find out more about her at TransisterMom.com.

Follow Kate Brookes on Facebook and Twitter

In an interview, Kate Brookes can discuss:

• Navigating her daughter’s transition as a family while facing misunderstandings and prejudice
• Her personal journey to acceptance and learning how to mother a transitioning daughter
• The harsh – and often life and death – realities of parenting a trans child
• How insights from parenting a transgender child can help all parents supporting non-conforming children 
• How to discuss gender identity with children, even at an early age  
• The importance of supporting and normalizing trans experiences 
• Supporting your child’s coming out process

An Interview with

Kate Brookes

Before we dive into everything else, can you introduce us to you and your family?

I’m the proud mom to twin 14-year-olds, Gabriella (Gabby) and Jacob, both of whom are absolute rock stars, one of whom is transgender. My husband, Mike, and I are raising them in New York City and doing our best to embrace both of our kiddos and meet them where they are. We spent the first 8 years of parenthood operating under the notion we’d birthed twin boys (umm, that’s certainly what the OBGYN told us when he pulled said kids out of me), and the last 6 years, first adjusting to… and then celebrating the reality that one of our sons is actually our daughter. 

Your memoir is candid, raw, forthcoming – but also, at times, funny. Why was it important to you to incorporate humor into “Transister?”

Honestly, sometimes it’s easier to laugh than it is to cry. And believe me, I cried a lot while watching my daughter grapple with her gender identity. But, sometimes stuff really is funny, and why not acknowledge the humor? I mean, when’s the last time your 3-year-old son walked down the street pointing to women’s shoes and saying, “Heels, flats, heels, flats!” Or your 9-year-old daughter asked if her dress makes her penis look big? Besides, humor can be an effective way to connect with people and to address/tackle “taboo subjects” in a non-threatening way. For all of these reasons and more, it was important for me to include some levity in “Transister.”

When did your daughter first realize she was trans? Did you realize it or did she tell you?

My daughter realized she was trans at 8 years-old. “Gideon” and I were walking along Broadway, holding hands, when we stopped at a red light and he looked up at me and said, “Mama, I think I’m a transister.” To which I replied, “Do you mean transgender?” “Yes, when I was in your tummy,” Gideon explained, “it was a mistake. I was supposed to come out a girl.” The reality? I knew “he” was likely a “she” for years and had even begun attending support groups for parents of gender non-conforming and trans kids. But my husband and I did our best to let things unfold naturally and allow our kiddo to realize who she was at her own pace.

Did you realize immediately it was her identity and not “just a phase?”

I had no doubts this was her identity and never once thought otherwise. Granted, years before she socially transitioned I hoped the tutus, Barbie dolls, and YouTube makeup tutorials were “just a phase.” And part of me wished our kiddo was “just gay,” not because we’d love our son any more than we’d love our daughter, but because statistically when it comes to healthcare, employment, and suicidal tendencies, it’s easier to be gay than it is transgender. Ultimately, the fact that my daughter was insistent, consistent and persistent about her gender identity further confirmed for me that she was indeed a girl, and a beautiful one at that.

Did any part of you resist this realization? How do you navigate that?

We 100% embraced her realization and declaration. Keep in mind, we’ve always viewed ourselves as accepting, uber liberals from the Upper West Side of Manhattan. And yet, when I look back, I’m somewhat embarrassed (maybe even ashamed?) to acknowledge there were definitely times I squashed my kiddo’s inclinations. Case in point? At around 4 or 5 years old, she wanted a Disney princess comforter. My response? “Oh, wow, the pink and purple background won’t match your blue walls. Bummer. Let’s see if we can find something else that goes.” Or the time my kiddo wanted a Cinderella birthday cake, and my husband, Mike, and I chose an alternative. At the time, we told ourselves we were doing what was best for both of our twins so they wouldn’t face ridicule. But in retrospect, I think I was the one who feared ridicule.

What advice would you give other parents of children who identify as trans? What questions should they ask? What support can they offer? 

Accept your child. Love your child. Support your child. Even if you don’t understand your child. Studies show…and common sense reinforces the notion that children whose gender identities are affirmed have much better outcomes socially, emotionally and academically than kids whose parents don’t accept them. Think about it – all most people want is to feel loved, safe and protected. Trans kids are no different.  

At what point did you begin to change pronouns and publicly identify your child as your daughter?

About 6 months before our daughter came out publicly, she asked “us” to use female pronouns and call her by girls names, but only at home and only when it was just the four of us. Of course, Mike and I unintentionally botched the pronouns early on; it was admittedly difficult to shift to she/her after saying he/him for 8 years. And the new name? It probably would have been easier if there was just one. Our daughter went through 12 names (Jennifer, Liv, Phoebe, etc.) before landing on one that stuck. While not uncommon, I know of a parent who wrote her kid’s revolving names on a calendar to keep track, it was often difficult to remember her current name and address her accordingly. It wasn’t until Gabriella started 3rd grade at a new school that, with her permission, we began publicly identifying her as a girl.

How has Gabriella’s twin brother, Jacob, handled the transition? Did you experience any grief over the “loss” of your son?

Initially I not only grieved the loss of my son, but also the loss of the “normal” family I was trying to create, the one I pined for ever since I was a child. Over time, though, my husband and I realized we didn’t lose anything. Rather, we gained a happier child, one who’d now live as her authentic self, and we celebrated the arrival of our daughter. And that normal family? I’ve learned there’s no such thing, of course, and I’m actually good with that! As for Jacob, initially he focussed solely on the loss…his loss…of his twin brother. He was just 8 years old – who could blame him? It was a lot for anyone to comprehend, let alone a kid in single digits. Jacob was part confused, part angry, and part embarrassed. I’m happy to report that in the years since Gabriella’s transition, Jacob has developed an incredibly close relationship with his sister. Different from the one he had with his brother, and perhaps even more special.

How did your friends and family react to Gabriella’s transition?

My friends and family were overwhelmingly supportive of Gabriella’s transition. Some of them had seen the signs (her growing dress collection, use of makeup, etc.) over the years and weren’t surprised when we shared the news; others had no idea Gabby had been grappling with her gender identity and still seemed to take the change in stride. That said, not everyone “approved” of our daughter’s transition or how we were parenting our child. And we did lose a few friends, including several who were so close we considered them family. Disappointing, on the one hand. But my husband and I truly believe if you don’t support our family, then good riddance… we have no place for you in our lives.

How did your daughter’s friends react? Did she come out to everyone at once?

Most of Gabby’s friends were not only super supportive when she came out, but also not surprised. (Okay, there was that one friend from day camp who did a double-take when she bumped into Gabby on the street and realized G was sporting long hair and a dress. But once she realized it was the same kid she swam and played with the previous summer, the friend immediately hugged my daughter and asked for a playdate.) Mike and I sent a letter to friends, family, and parents of Jacob and Gabby’s friends, a letter explaining her social transition, new name and new pronouns, which helped facilitate her “coming out.” It also gave parents a “heads up” and the opportunity to discuss the change with their kids before they encountered our daughter for the first time.

You live in New York City, where gender-affirming care is more accessible. What advice do you have for parents of trans kids in areas where access to gender non-conformity is less accepted?

First, I have to acknowledge the privilege my daughter and our entire family have because we live in a place where gender-affirming healthcare is more accessible and gender non-conformity is readily accepted. But let’s be clear, geography shouldn’t be a privilege or a barrier. Trans people should be able to access the resources and support they need regardless of location. That said, I’d recommend parents seek out both emotional and medical support for their kiddos, whether it’s virtual or in-person, as early as possible. Organizations like The Trevor Project and PFLAG are accessible to anyone online and can be incredibly helpful in locating and connecting families with local resources. Support groups, therapists, gender-affirming healthcare – all of these can and do play a critical role in the life of a trans child and their family. No one should feel alone in this journey.

Anti-trans sentiment is unfortunately ubiquitous, even in the more liberal areas of the country. How do you navigate and manage the fear associated with this?

Wine and Xanax are key. Kidding. Sort of. Let’s be real; anti-trans sentiment is rampant in our country, and as the mom of a trans daughter, it’s incredibly stressful…and scary…to turn on the TV and hear some horrible anti-trans rant from a politician…or to overhear a random person on the street spewing anti-trans hate. I find solace knowing that my daughter has friends and family who love and support her…and a mom and dad who will do anything to protect her. 

What message do you have for politicians who support anti-trans legislation?

First, it’s “interesting” that so many politicians who support anti-trans legislation identify as pro-life. I would opine that if they were truly pro-life..and wanted to ensure all of their constituents remained alive, they’d support gender affirming healthcare. But, I’m not sure logic works when dealing with angry and scared people – and I do believe that anger and fear are driving most, if not all, of the anti-trans legislation. Regardless, my message is two-fold: First, I’d remind politicians that transgender people are, first and foremost, people…people like you and me who are just trying to live happy, healthy lives. And politicians are elected to represent all of their constituents, not just the rich people, or the white people, or the cisgender people. Second, I’d attempt to play to their emotions and ask how they might react if their child or grandchild came out as transgender. Would they support them or legislate against them? And finally, (I guess my message is three-fold), I’d make sure said politicians know that I and my posse of equal rights supporting, left leaning, liberal minded, and open-hearted mama (and papa) bears won’t go down without a fight!

Your book ends with Gabriella and Jacob entering the fourth grade. Tell us about them today. How are they doing?

Gabriella and Jacob are now 14-years-old and total rock stars. Period! Both will be entering high school in the fall, both are taller than me (yup, I’m now the runt of the family) and both are smart, funny, empathetic and beautiful and handsome, respectively. Gabriella’s superpower is making friends – her social calendar makes my head spin!!! And Jacob is killing it on the basketball court – his three-pointers rival that of athletes twice his age. When I became a mom, I remember telling my best friend that all I wanted was for my twins to be happy, healthy and kind. Suffice it to say, they’re well on their way.

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Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/