On Halloween, we wondered what our readers thought would scare a lawyer the most. As first seen on Facebook’s Shit Women With Law Degrees Say, there are some phrases that will simply make lawyers cower in fear. But which phrases are the scariest of all? Last week, we unveiled the 10 most terrifying finalists, and today, we’re sharing the winner.
(Image via Shit Women with Law Degrees Say)
What four-word phrase will absolutely, positively scare the crap out of a lawyer?
How AI Is Transforming The Legal Profession (2025)
A survey of professionals reveals the impact of legal work, clients, concerns, and future roles.
“We destroyed those documents.”
This frightening phrase took home 27% of the overall vote. “President Trump retained you” was our second-place finisher, with 23% of the total vote.
Please don’t destroy those documents, folks. You don’t want to give your lawyer a heart attack.
Take Control Of Your Firm’s Finances With Tools Built For Success
Position your firm for long-term growth with better financial visibility and control. Learn how to track performance, manage spending, and plan strategically—download the full e-book now.
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.