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State: Fla. Langham: Personal Attacks Unbecoming: [2020-06-24] |
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I recently read some interesting pleadings. These included verbiage that was harsh and untoward; it was not a display of professional behavior. The exchange between the parties led to the entry of an order by the assigned judge. Of particular note in that order is the inclusion of a "reminder of professionalism" directed at the attorneys. This situation struck me for two reasons. First, the language choices were indeed unfortunate and the judge mentioning it is laudable. Second, we once lived in an age of hearings where invective and hyperbole sometimes surfaced in the heat of a moment, but for such language to survive the review and hopefully retrospect involved in drafting and proofreading is only more unfortunate. As a side note, there is some perception from the bench that proofreading has generally gone the way of the daily newspaper, the fax machine or the rotary telephone. The statements in this case were written or dictated, read, hopefully (re)considered and then filed nonetheless. The pleadings included the following quotes:
The motion to compel was denied. The judge, however, included the following in that order:
The key words there are "inflammatory and unprofessional." One might engage in a discussion of "who started it," but let's face it: That never worked with Mom, either. The point is that it requires two to tango. Remember, "two wrongs do not make a right." Before you return hyperbole or stoop to ad hominem attacks, take an evening to think it over. Dictate or type that response if you must (get it off your chest). But then let it sit on the desk overnight and take a fresh look at it before serving or filing. In that retrospective proofreading moment, ask yourself if the invective, insults or abuse are: (1) necessary, and (2) likely to persuade your reader. Remember, at the end of the analysis, the client has hired counsel to prevail, to be convincing, to be persuasive. It is practical to suspect that being offensive, distasteful and insulting may not lead to success. Choose words carefully, focus on the issue at hand — not the person — and strive to be the better person. Admittedly, that may not be easy. But as obviously, it is the path to take. David Langham is deputy chief judge of the Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims. This column is reprinted, with his permission, from his Florida Workers' Comp Adjudication blog. |