In a recent display of defiance, George Sideris, an Australian lawyer, ramped up his use of profanity amidst disciplinary proceedings brought against him by the New South Wales Law Society. The disciplinary process, partly triggered by his use of inappropriate language, saw Sideris respond with even more aggressive language, challenging the Law Society with profanities in his emails. In one correspondence, he went as far as saying, “F*CK off the lot of you, you bunch of idiots” and “let me be a little nicer – F*CK OFF,” according to RollOnFriday.
This behavior doesn’t appear to be isolated in the legal profession. A 2017 survey by Legal Cheek highlighted that 42% of lawyers regularly curse on the job. While the practice might be more common than expected, it still brings consequences, as demonstrated by Sideris’ ongoing disciplinary issues.
The Law Society’s reaction to Sideris’ remarks has sparked a range of opinions within the legal community. Comments on the incident suggest a divide among professionals, with some considering the organization deserving of such a retort. More details on this unfolding situation can be found in the initial report by Above the Law.