Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Law school 101: Never insult the judge

You don't have to go to law school--or even watch "Law and Order," to know that it's not a good idea to insult a judge presiding over the trial you are working on.

Chicago lawywer William Smith, and his law firm, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, has learned that lesson the hard way--by being fired by a client, Crain's Chicago "free registration required" Business:

During a May 7 hearing in front of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurel Myerson Isicoff, William Smith, a partner with McDermott who leads its distressed transaction and bankruptcy group, said, "I suggest with respect, your honor, that you're a few french fries short of a Happy Meal in terms of what's likely to take place."

Judge Isicoff then ordered Mr. Smith to show why he should retain his pro hac vice status, which allows him to participate in a case without being licensed to practice in Florida. Mr. Smith is a member of the Illinois and Ohio bars, according to his biography on McDermott's Web site.

Smith was representing a Mount Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami when he made the comment that he certainly wants to take back.

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