I hope you lose a case. Not some expected or understandable shortfall or close call. I hope you lose one that you really believe in. I hope that it impacts you.
This is not to offend or hurt. This is not to be taken as a criticism or discouragement. This is a reality of the potential to fail, which is ever-present. Failure happens, even to the very best.
The main hope is that you have a case in which you believe that strongly, about which you can exhibit emotion, and in which you find the strength to invest yourself. That commitment and conviction evidence worthy lawyering and zealous representation. That is admirable.
Enthusiasm, commitment, and passion are consummate attributes for lawyers.
Nonetheless, at the end of the day, there is a fair chance that any lawyer may be incorrect, that some expected proof may fail, some witnesses may not be as persuasive as expected, and more. Losing is always more emotional when you have really invested, believed, and committed.
Despite your foundational core belief and your passion, your case may not hold water the way you wish or perceive it. The fact is that much of lawyering is interpreting evidence, building a narrative, and making arguments.
Like it or not, some lawyers are better at this than others. And the fact is that sometimes lawyers do not prevail (someone loses every argument, and so there is always a chance for loss).
These thoughts came to mind when reading the recent Florida Supreme Court decision disciplining two lawyers who were disappointed when they did not prevail. They took umbrage, offense, and then took to the internet to express their disappointment and more. Their decisions resulted in each being suspended from the practice of law for 30 days.
The two represented a plaintiff in 2021, alleging civil rights of a doctor "terminated ... from (a) residency program due to discrimination based on race, national origin, and disability" and "retaliation."
After the plaintiff presented his side of the case, the trial judge granted a directed verdict on the "national origin and disability" claims but "reserved ruling on ... discrimination based on race and retaliation." Directed verdict means "that there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to reach a different conclusion."
The view from the bench is likely to be different than the view from counsel's table. The dispassionate, neutral arbiter will not be on one side. They are not an advocate, but an observer. Their neutrality may frustrate the impassioned lawyers or their clients. Directed verdicts happen every day across the country. What appears debatable or even crystal clear to an advocate sometimes does not pass muster with a judge.
Because the trial judge "reserved ruling, the issues of "discrimination based on race and retaliation" went to the jury, which returned a substantial verdict for the plaintiff. That has to be a great feeling for the advocate. Striving to convince a person (the judge) is a challenge, but convincing a committee (the jury) is perhaps more difficult still.
After the verdict, the trial judge ruled on the previously reserved motion for directed verdict and concluded that the plaintiff "failed to prove a prima facie case of unlawful discrimination based on race." This directed verdict voided the substantial jury verdict. The two lawyers disagreed with the trial judge's conclusion.
Make no mistake, that happens. Lawyers are frequently displeased with judges' decisions. Disappointment is a natural reaction. The potential solution to displeasure or frustration is found in the appellate process. The lawyer or party who perceives judicial error can file an appeal and ask other judges to review their grievances.
An appellate court can change the decisions of the trial judge. Trust me, it happens every day all across America. Trial judges are no more perfect than anyone else. Mistakes happen. All judges are human, the law can be complex, and errors will be made despite the most valiant efforts, dedication, and study. This is perhaps less likely when judges collaborate, as is common in appeals.
It appears that the lawyers here did exactly that, Case No. 5D2021-1490. In 2022, the Florida Fifth District Court affirmed the trial judge. The collaborative appellate process did not alter the trial judge's grant of directed verdict.
In addition, however, one of the plaintiff's lawyers took to social media after the trial judge's decision and "reposted" comments made there by her brother, "who handles social media for the (lawyer's) firm." These included "a picture of (the) judge," allegations that the judge "stole justice," and that "we need to hold him accountable."
The posts suggested that the judge "needs to be investigated," that "the court system is a sham," and referenced the Dred Scott decision (though inadvertently misspelling it). There were references to the judge's race, and a hashtag that included "#removejudge" along with the judge's name.
The other plaintiff's lawyer "participated in a couple of online interviews where he made several statements regarding the ... case, (the) Judge ..., and the judiciary." This included allegations that the judge "was racially biased," "exceeded his authority," and that this decision "was a theft ... to the community."
This second plaintiff's lawyer commented on the race of the judges of the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and expressed his perceptions about the Court's treatment of "civil rights cases as though they are a waste of time."
In deciding the complaint against these two lawyers, the Supreme Court noted that following the interviews and social media posts, the trial judge "was harassed and received death threats," necessitating staffing of "additional security for his protection at the courthouse and at home."
The Court concluded that the two lawyers'
"statements were made with reckless disregard of their truth or falsity, with no objectively reasonable factual basis, and impugned the qualifications and integrity of (the trial) Judge ... and the judges of the Fifth District Court of Appeal."
The Court acknowledged the lawyers' argument that their statements were protected by the First Amendment and cited a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1871, which explained that lawyers voluntarily accept some speech limitations, "abstaining out of court from all insulting language and offensive conduct."
Thus, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized limited constraints or restrictions on speech by lawyers, which "serve a compelling state interest and do not violate the First Amendment." Despite our passion, commitment, or zeal, our expression may be limited by our commitments to the law. There are burdens that come with the privilege of practicing law, and all would do well to remember them.
Ultimately, the Florida Supreme Court concluded these two lawyers violated Rules 4-8.2(a), 3-4.3, and the Oath of Admission to The Florida Bar. One of the lawyers also violated Rule 4-8.4(d), "prohibit(ing) conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice."
Each was suspended from the practice of law for 30 days. In doing so, the Court noted various similar instances in which shorter and longer suspensions were imposed. Those overviews regarding various potential punishments are perhaps among the most illuminating elements of discipline cases, and afford lawyers significant guidance regarding their actions.
The lessons here are patent. Passion, commitment, and advocacy are important and admirable. However, public disparagement or impugning of a judge or court is both unwise and inappropriate.
There will be cases in which you will invest and believe. I opened with that above, and suggested that you would lose some of those cases. That will not be easy, but it means something. First, you took a case to trial that you believed in, that's a positive. Second, that you care enough to be disappointed, deeply, is another positive. Though such a loss hurts, I hope you experience it.
The lawyer's stock in trade is advocacy, which may include an outcome today in adherence to present law or past decisions, but might as easily involve arguments for novel interpretations or applications, that is, a change in the law. Both are worthy.
There is nothing untoward or inappropriate in arguing the law is wrong. There is no harm in arguing that injustice has occurred. That is what courts, trial and appellate, are for. Make the argument, invest, but know that you may not prevail. Half the parties and lawyers in any case will not prevail. Sometimes none of them get what they really wanted or hoped for.
When the lawyer does not prevail at trial, the path for relief lies with the appellate court. Disappointment with an appellate outcome is as practical a potential, and can lead to seeking review by a higher court, legislative discussions regarding changes to the law, and other advocacy. Advocating for change and evolution is the lawyer's mandate. Great lawyers advocate every day.
There is no reason one cannot likewise argue a judge has acted inappropriately. That is also what appellate courts are for. Their existence recognizes that trial judges, in the day-to-day, may not always get it right.
Disappointment or disagreement with an outcome may also warrant a complaint regarding a judge. The law provides for such complaints, defines processes, and affords a path to address perceptions or allegations. There is an appropriate manner to express concerns about a judge.
Thus, there are paths for criticism of both outcomes and judges. There are paths to review for both. There are laws, rules, and appropriate processes.
However, there is peril in public discourse. There was a time when that peril may have been primarily in comments to the press, but it is now a different age.
Today, there is equal or greater peril in social media. There, lawyers may engage in endorsements of the expressions of others with "likes," comments, and more. Today, lawyers and firms actively produce social media content, and some is likely produced by non-lawyers who may lack the acumen, training, and experience with the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.
John Q. Public may rage behind a keyboard. Everyone has likely seen a social media post or two that was inappropriate, outrageous, or even defamatory. See Keyboard Attacks (October 2024). But John is not a lawyer, subject to the constraints that privilege brings.
Nonetheless, lawyers should pay careful attention to what is being published using their name or firm name, and their social media. Lawyers are responsible for the actions and words of the non-lawyers who work for them. Lawyers should remain conscious of both the nature and implications of their own social media posts, endorsements, or adoptions.
In this age, the whole world lies at your fingertips. What you say matters, and may garner attention or challenges you neither anticipated nor desired.
I hope you lose a case you really believe in. I hope that it impacts you. I hope you pursue the appeal, invest, and advocate. No, not because losing is good, but because you will learn much about yourself in the process, and you will be appropriately pursuing your belief. However, do it through the processes afforded, without maligning or impugning anyone, the court system, or the administration of justice.
An aside from this case worth mentioning is the two lawyers' complaint that they were not permitted to make the trial judge testify during the Bar's prosecution of the disciplinary case against them. The Supreme Court found no error and noted
"The referee correctly rejected the highly improper attempt to require a judge to provide testimony regarding the basis for a judicial decision or other judicial acts. Judges 'cannot be subjected to such . . . scrutiny' 'regarding the process by which [they] reached the conclusions of [their] order[s]' because '[s]uch an examination of a judge would be destructive of judicial responsibility.'”
There, the Supreme Court has "recognized the general rule that 'judges cannot be compelled to testify as to matters concerning their judicial duties,' and ... "that inquiring into a 'judge’s thought process' is impermissible."
An acquaintance once told me that they gave their child important advice about the modern world: "Social media may not be your friend." That is good advice. Perhaps posting is inevitable or irresistible, and reaction is commonplace, but sleep on that post before you make it. Sleep on that email before you hit "send." And remember that lawyers are held to a standard that John Q. Public is not. Think about what a thirty-day suspension from practicing would cost.