Trials & Litigation
Lawyer sanctioned for being ‘impolite, demeaning and obnoxious’ in depositions
A federal decide has sanctioned a private damage lawyer almost $20,000 for his conduct throughout 4 depositions final 12 months. Picture from Shutterstock.
A federal decide has sanctioned a private damage lawyer almost $20,000 for his conduct throughout 4 depositions final 12 months.
In a Sept. 27 opinion, U.S. District Choose Stephanie L. Haines of the Western District of Pennsylvania sanctioned lawyer Thomas Bosworth, who was fired by Kline & Specter after the fourth deposition November 2022.
Law360 has protection.
Deposition transcripts and movies present that Bosworth’s conduct was “grossly in violation” of Pennsylvania ethics guidelines, Haines stated.
“Legal professional Bosworth made numerous improper objections, together with repeatedly teaching his witnesses and testifying himself, and instructed his witnesses to not reply on greater than two dozen situations,” Haines stated.
Bosworth’s disruptions had been “severe, pervasive and interfering,” and his conduct to the opposing counsel was “disrespectful and outrageous,” Haines stated.
In accordance with Haines, Bosworth made “quite a few, vicious private assaults” towards two opposing legal professionals that “alternated between being impolite, demeaning and obnoxious.” When talking to the feminine lawyer, Bosworth used “the next pitched, mocking tone to belittle” her, Haines stated.
Haines listed a number of examples of Bosworth’s improper insults, together with his statements that opposing legal professionals were “corporate shills,” liars, disingenuous, and both failing to pay attention or looking for to invoice time.
Bosworth informed one lawyer that he had both a listening to downside, a character dysfunction or a comprehension downside. He informed one other that he was involved about her psychological well being and was frightened that she was “dropping it.”
Haines calculated the charge primarily based on time expended by the opposing legal professionals on the depositions.
Bosworth was representing the dad and mom of an toddler killed after being positioned in an computerized child bouncer. The case settled in Could.
Bosworth offered a press release to Law360.
“I acknowledge my conduct crossed the road of the zeal required by our code of ethics and I’ve resolved to have a clearer regard of that line,” Bosworth stated within the assertion. “I believe the findings and penalty are extreme, and for these causes will attraction.”
Legal professionals for Kline & Specter additionally offered a press release to Law360.
“We’ve no remark past what was written by Choose Haines,” they stated.
Law360 famous that Bosworth “is presently embroiled” in litigation with Kline & Specter. Each events are accusing the opposite of defamation. Kline & Specter additionally alleges shopper poaching.
