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- Geraldine Hughes -

was checking in everyday to see if the coast was clear. Or,
checking to see if anyone was waiting for his arrival.
The entrance to Mr. Rothman's office was set up so that it
did not allow anyone to gain access without being buzzed in.
The office had two front doors-one led into the lobby and the
second led into the office. The door that led into the office was
always locked. The reception area had a shutter that could only
be opened by someone from the inside. An intercom allowed
the receptionist to communicate with anyone entering the front
lobby without them gaining access to the office. Once she iden-
tified them she would buzz them into the office. I always felt
uncomfortable under such lock and key.
Once Mr. Rothman arrived at the office, his instant pres-
ence would ruin what was, up to that moment, a quiet atmo-
sphere. His arrival would immediately create a disturbing and
hostile atmosphere of yelling, disgust and anger. My best de-
scription of an encounter with Mr. Rothman is a real-life en-
counter with a real life demon straight out of the pits of hell.
Although I have never met a real life demon straight out of the
pits of hell, after encountering Mr. Rothman I knew what it
would feel like.
When I started work in the summer of 1993 as an indepen-
dent contractor for Mr. Rothman as his sole legal secretary, it
was the beginning of a work relationship I will never forget.
One like I had never encountered and never have since. His
office consisted of one legal secretary, one receptionist and two
other associate attorneys; one male and one female. Mr.
Rothman had no respect for the attorneys that worked for him.
I would often overhear him yelling at them like they were regu-
lar staff and badgering the female attorney like she was a child.
I never saw him treat anyone with respect.
The receptionist was hired around the same time as I was.
She was a beautiful redhead, soft spoken, shy and a very effi-
cient young lady. Mr. Rothman demanded that she make his
coffee every morning, pour his coffee and carry it into his of-
fice, and serve it to him on a serving tray. He treated her more
like a waitress instead of a professional law office receptionist.

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