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 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.
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:
