Self-Representing Lawyer Fined
In recent news, a New York Supreme Court judge fined a pro se patent lawyer $10,000 during a child-custody hearing. According to the judge, the lawyer breached the “Rules of Professional Conduct” due to his misbehaviour throughout his divorce and custody case. This included aggressive and hostile behavior towards judges and lawyers, and ongoing disruptions of trials.
The common adage “a lawyer who represents himself in court has a fool for a client” is known throughout the legal community; however, some lawyers continue to represent themselves, despite having minimal to no experience in family law. Adding emotional involvement to the mix could lead to unnecessary complexities and hurt your case.
This story raises the following questions:
- Do you agree with the saying “a lawyer who represents himself in court has a fool for a client?”
- Should there be stricter rules in place when it comes to allowing individuals self-represent in court?
- What are the common reasons individuals decide to self-represent, despite understanding the risks?
- Is there ever a good time to be pro se during legal procedures?
- Do you consider the court giving sanctions due to frivolous actions throughout the legal process proper practice?
Tell us your thoughts below.
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