- Quickdraw McLaw
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One of our readers wants to know where the line is for appropriate cussing in the workplace if at all? We know some of you will say it’s never appropriate. But what about behind a closed office door? Is it ever appropriate to use strong language talking to opposing counsel?
It is never appropriate, but totally guilty of doing it on occasion. If OC is getting heated and starts yelling/swearing, I usually just laugh at them. I have found that screamers are usually bad lawyers who can't handle the pressure of litigation.
If I drop an F-bomb to OC it is usually because we get along. I never swear when I'm pissed at OC. I just kill them with kindness and give them enough rope to hang themselves.
Classy
Have seen the f-bomb in deposition transcripts. Why be boring?
I remember sitting in the peanut gallery and an attorney was getting chewed out for dropping the f-bomb in depo. I think the judge said he would be sanctioned $100 per occurrence.
There is cussing at my workplace all of the time by attorneys. All the time. And I work at a large regional firm with a very good reputation in Nevada. Just yesterday I was told that I could pursue a particular opportunity as long as I don't "f*ck up" the rest of my cases. It wasn't a threat, it wasn't a joke, it was just a blunt statement about the stakes.
Around the office, which is midsize and filled with people who have known each other forever, cussing is totally ok but screaming, name-calling, and harassment are not. Conversations with clients and opposing counsel vary depending on who they are and the context. Cussing in open court would be a problem.
Yeah this is my experience as well.
Came here to say this.
agreed
Super guilty of having language like a sailor with a side of inappropriate humor. Not acceptable these days (if it ever was). I am female and attorney for twenty years working primarily government.
Attorneys for both sides of the Sapphire's lawsuit posting comments on a news story…
https://www.facebook.com/CyndiLundeberg/videos/1529886650466879/
Now that's just bad form.
Yeah that was spectacularly unprofessional on both accounts. Sapphire's lawyer should know better than to comment like that. The plaintiff's lawyer was worse. Who is he? I do commercial lit so I am familiar with most of the people who would do this kind of case, but I have never heard of him.
Who gives a God Damn F*****g S**t about this topic? It's a f*****g non-issue because it should be f*****g understood that that there is no God Damn place for profanity in the professional work place.
F*** you, 2:24.
You get a f**k. You get a f**k. Everyone gets a f**k!
I didn't get a f**k, and I also don't give a f**k.
Just look at all the fucks 4:14 has to give!
I'm going with it's ok, so long as you're not using it to demean your staff.
Don't even try in Allf's courtroom. I've seen her chastise an attorney who said "screwed".
There's a judge who I regularly appear in front of who will lose it if someone swears. I mean, contempt, super-high bail, etc. It's hilarious when it happens.
What is this fuckery?