**The Unconventional Advocate**

Prompt: Simpsons fanfiction after graduating college and law school and passing the bar Bart’s first assignment as an attorney is to be part of the disbarrement team against Lionel hutz

The fluorescent lights buzzed ominously as Bart Simpson embraced his new office—his first job as an attorney in the heart of Springfield. He had traded his skateboard for a suit, his mischievous grin still intact but tempered by a slight seriousness that accompanied his recent graduation from law school. The weight of countless references to "you can't be serious" echoed in his mind as he prepared for an assignment he never expected: to help with the disbarment case against Lionel Hutz. “Congratulations, Bart! You finally made it!” Milhouse exclaimed, nearly bouncing off the walls of Bart's cramped office, crammed between a pizza joint and a tacky gift shop. The clamorous environment of downtown Springfield had its usual charms, yet today the excitement was palpable. Bart knew that starting his legal career with such a high-profile case felt both thrilling and slightly intimidating. “Can you believe it? The man, the myth, the cheeseburger-loving lawyer! I always thought he’d be disbarred for… well, something,” Bart chuckled, recalling many of Hutz’s outlandish cases. Everything from defending a pack of rabid squirrels to claiming that a group of bunnies had kidnapped a city councilman came to mind. The chaos that Lionel Hutz perpetuated had long been a point of humor for Bart and the rest of Springfield. As Bart settled into his new role with the Springfield Disciplinary Committee, he was quickly introduced to his partner on this disbarment case, Ms. Justice, a formidable prosecutor with a reputation as sharp as a tack. She had a penchant for order and a somewhat frightening knack for keeping everyone on their toes. “Bart, while this might seem like a joke, it’s your responsibility to ensure that Lionel Hutz doesn’t continue practicing law. Understood?” Ms. Justice glared, adjusting her glasses. Bart nodded, internalizing the gravity of their task. Deep down, he could hear the echoes of his family urging him to remember the fun-loving boy he once was. But this time, he would take his responsibilities seriously. The next few days were a blur of legal research, late-night discussions about Hutz, and strategizing for the case. Bart and Ms. Justice spent hours poring over old cases, interviews with former clients, and piles of evidence that outlined Hutz’s dubious practices of law. The more they uncovered, the clearer it became that Lionel Hutz, despite his zeal for the courtroom, had operated somewhere between comical and questionable ethics. One Thursday afternoon, Bart found himself at a diner in downtown Springfield, attempting to piece together the elements of their argument over a plate of greasy fries and a milkshake. Just as he was about to delve into how to structure their complaint, Ms. Justice pointed to the entrance. “Speak of the devil,” she muttered, a hint of intrigue in her tone. In strolled Lionel Hutz, strikingly laid-back, wearing a Hawaiian shirt that screamed vacation rather than court appearance. He waved flamboyantly at the waitress, who shuddered slightly before approaching him. Bart felt a twinge of sympathy for the man, despite the assignment weighing on his shoulders. How could someone so incompetent have made such a lasting impression on Springfield? “Does that man realize we’re here to prosecute him?” Bart whispered to Ms. Justice, though she merely rolled her eyes. “Just focus on the case.” She grabbed her own notebook and made her way toward Hutz, much to Bart’s surprise. Feeling the duty to shadow her, Bart tagged along, careful to keep his apprehension in check. “Mr. Hutz! We need to talk,” Ms. Justice called, her voice a mix of authority and challenging curiosity. Lionel turned, raised an eyebrow, and grinned widely. “Ms. Justice! And… Bart Simpson! This is a delightful surprise. Are you two here for a footlong sub or a legal consultation?” “This is no time for jokes, Hutz! We are here on serious business,” she asserted, crossing her arms. The laughter faded from Hutz’s eyes as he sensed the weight of the conversation. “Serious? You know I take my work seriously… in the right light,” he stammered, adjusting his collar. As the discussion progressed, Bart slowly found himself sympathizing with the endearing incompetence that was Lionel Hutz. Sure, his record was riddled with missteps and absurd claims, but he genuinely cared about his clients—at least in his own peculiar way. It dawned on Bart that perhaps law wasn’t just about adherence to the rules but about looking out for those who needed help, no matter the misunderstanding or failure. Unbeknownst to them, a small crowd had begun forming in the diner as the conversation intensified. Bart watched as Lionel animatedly retold the story of how he once won a case by arguing that his client was being “prosecuted for taking too many weekends off.” A mix of laughter and disbelief washed over the crowd, lightening the mood. By the time Bart returned to the office that afternoon, he was burdened with mixed emotions. Had he taken the case too seriously? He and Ms. Justice had a few more days before the hearing, and in that time, Bart’s admiration for the bumbling attorney grew. It was a strange feeling—the line between duty and empathy blurred. The hearing day arrived, and Bart suited up with an odd mix of excitement and trepidation. As he stood before the panel, he felt torn. They laid out their evidence against Hutz—a list of clients, absurd lawsuits, and testimonies that scarcely showcased the dedication a real lawyer had for their clients. At the heart of it, Bart wondered if maybe Hutz’s heart was in the right place, even if his methods were wildly off-target. When it was Hutz's turn to present his defense, Bart couldn’t help but admire the man as he stood before the panel. Lionel, with his characteristic charm, launched into a story that blended humor with genuine moments from his practice that reflected his connection to his clients. The audience listened, their expressions caught between disbelief and empathy. After hours of deliberation, the panel issued their ruling. Bart could hardly hear their decision—Hutz was suspended, not disbarred. Bart let out a breath he was holding. He realized that the world of law was more complicated than he ever imagined. As he walked out of the courthouse, a sense of closure settled over Bart. He might not have anticipated the winding journey ahead in his legal career, nor the lessons learned from an unconventional lawyer. Perhaps the heart of legal practice lay not just in the precious law books stacked in his office, but in the very people they served, flaws and all. And as for Lionel Hutz, he may not have been the epitome of professionalism, but he was a reminder of the laughter that also had a place in the realm of law.