Bad Ideas, Bankruptcy, Benchslaps, Biglaw, Practice Pointers, Rudeness

ATL Practice Pointers: Don't Insult the Judge in Open Court

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Or even in chambers, for that matter. But open court is worse. From a tipster:

In a bankruptcy case here in the Southern District of Florida, William P. Smith — a partner at McDermott Will & Emery (Chicago), and the head of its bankruptcy department — actually told a judge she was “a few French Fries short of a Happy Meal.”

Literally. In open court. Amazing.

Don’t believe us? Check out the transcript:

In fairness to Bill Smith, please note that he let fly this insult “with respect.” Nice touch, counsel.

Alas, Judge Laurel Myerson Isicoff didn’t take kindly to a lawyer questioning the completeness of her “Happy Meal.” Find out how she responded, after the jump.

Judge Isicoff responded by way of a sua sponte Order to Show Cause. See below.

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To all you non-lawyers, here’s a translation. Judge Isicoff issued an order to the lawyer, asking him, in essence: “Why shouldn’t I kick your sorry ass out of my courtroom?”

Here’s the show cause order:

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