Episode 20: The Vote

On the eve of her partnership vote, Nick discovers that 42-year-old senior associate Sandra Kastle has been dating Burton – a surprise that is made all the more difficult because of Nick’s low opinion of her work. Though the other partners approve of her promotion, Nick votes against Sandra, which leads her to decide to leave Fallin and Fallin. After Burton tracks her down to make sure that her resignation didn’t have anything to do with their relationship, their romance is derailed by her sexual discrimination lawsuit against the firm. And when Nick asks her to reconsider, Sandra insists that he steer clear as the case is being heard. Meanwhile, as Lulu brings up his affair with Suzanne, Nick is assigned to handle a suicidal teenager’s placement hearing.

While reviewing an offer for the business owned by longtime Fallin client Charlie Gossett, Nick ignores Jake and advises Rachel Gossett to have her terminally ill husband declared incompetent so that the sale can proceed. As his working relationship with Jake deteriorates, Nick further aggravates the situation by pressuring Rachel into going forward with a difficult, and embarrassing, competency hearing. Meanwhile, as Nick warns Drew Jankowski about the consequences of threatening to take his own life, Alvin’s worsening condition leads him to consider suicide as an option. And after Nick learns that she went ahead and found out that they are having a baby girl, Lulu suggests that they seek counseling together.

When Drew’s new foster placement falls through, Nick teams the suicidal teenager with Alvin for a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. And in the wake of Charlie Gossett’s death, Jake tells Burton that not only have the other partners sought outside counsel to advise them in Sandra’s lawsuit, but they also want to discuss Nick’s future at the firm. Finally, when told that the partners are considering firing him, Nick cannot even get his dad to commit to supporting him. And as Nick agrees to enter couple’s counseling with Lulu, Alvin asks to be assigned Drew’s case.