In a recent incident that served as a stark reminder for legal professionals, two Louisiana lawyers have been reprimanded by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans for their inappropriate conduct in the courtroom. Lawyers Stephen A. Khoury and C. Gregory Shamoun took their closing arguments to extremes that have highlighted the need for maintaining decorum and professional conduct in legal advocacy. As reported by the ABA Journal, the appeals court noted that their demeanour encompassed much of what the law deems as improper.
For instance, Shamoun, in his closing argument, began by throwing a tissue box at his opponent – an act that attracted immediate uproar. Moreover, both lawyers, during their presentation, repeatedly emphasized their opponent being from Michigan, while insinuating that people from the state have lower moral standards. This line of argument, aside from being an unethical personal attack, ironically belittles their own professional standing, as the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) score required in Michigan is higher than in Louisiana.
If these initial indiscretions were not enough, Shamoun also threatened Mychalowych – his opponent – implying that outside the courtroom, he would have physically assaulted him for allegations of perjury. Such statements are a clear violation of legal ethics. As mentioned in a judgement by the Supreme Court, while a lawyer may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones.
This case is an important reminder to attorneys and legal professionals worldwide that advocating zealously for your client does not warrant being rude or offensive. It is essential to maintain decorum and professional standards in the courtroom, regardless of how heated the debate might become.