ch the a crime. ent alleges the commission of E Done the %96 B & ne. V THE LEGAL ODYSSEY OF MICHAEL BROWN: AN ANATOMY OF THE LITIGATION PROCESS Michael Brown is a salesman for the Best Bread Company. Several years ago, as Brown was walking home from work, Harold Clay, an old friend from the past, stopped and offered him a ride. They had not seen each other since Clay had moved cross-country a number of years ago. They carried on an excited conversation as Clay drove. After a few blocks, a car driven by George Miller, a resident of a neighboring state, ran through a red light and struck Clay's car All three individuals were seriously injured and were taken to a local hospital. Clay died two weeks later from injuries received in the crash. Several days after the accident, Brown's boss, Frank Best, wrote Brown a letter. In it, Best said he had learned that the police had found about half an ounce of heroin under the front passenger seat of Clay's car and were planning to charge Brown with possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. Best also stated that several thefts had occurred at the company ware- house recently and that he now suspected Brown of having been involved in them. For these reasons, he decided to fire Brown, effective immediately. At least three different legal disputes involving Brown could arise out of this fact situation: 1. A dispute among Brown, Miller, and Clay's estate regarding civil liability for the accident 2. A dispute between Brown and the government regarding the criminal drug charge 3. A dispute among Brown, the Best Bread Company, and the State Unemployment Compensation Board concerning Brown's entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits. This, also, is a civil dispute Each of these disputes could lead to a number of court decisions. The third dispute might image0 [396] 2 ~ involve an administrative decision, possibly followed by one or more court decisions, all 4:25 AM Sat Mar 16 concerning Brown's claim for unemployment compensation