Question to Joan, Malthus etc. - bigoted clients

[Martinus]

Hey guys, have you ever had a situation where a client would make offensive, eg antisemitic remarks in your presence (without knowing you are Jewish)? If so how do you react?

I have it sometimes with homophobic stuff (eg. someone remarks that gays are disgusting) and don't know how to react.

[Barrister]

Hey guys, have you ever had a situation where a client would make offensive, eg antisemitic remarks in your presence (without knowing you are Jewish)? If so how do you react?

I have it sometimes with homophobic stuff (eg. someone remarks that gays are disgusting) and don't know how to react.

I give them a firm warning that while they may think that way, it is important that they not express such a view in the courtroom.  But I'm a litigator, and you are not.  You're probably in a tough spot, since the client is the one who pays the bill.  You're in a doubly tough spot because you're probably still an associate, and it isn't "your" client, but rather the partner's client.  Ultimately if you're so uncomfortable working for an offensive client you are better off just ceasing to act - but you may not have that option.

But ultimately, no, I don't think you call them on it.

[derspiess]

Lawyers aren't supposed to have feelings when there's money to be made.

[Razgovory]

I imagine that happens in Poland more then downtown Manhattan.

[Viking]

Lawyers aren't supposed to have feelings when there's money to be made.

In poland they are predjudiced against fags and joos. In civilzed places they are bigoted against lawyers. I suppose all lawyers have to deal with clients that hate them for who they are.

To quote the bard.. "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."

[CountDeMoney]

Lawyers aren't supposed to have feelings when there's money to be made.

No kidding.  I thought they removed their emotion chip during the first year, somewhere between Torts I and II.

[Ed Anger]

Bigot's money is just as good as other people's money.

[HVC]

Bigot's money is just as good as other people's money.

Better, because he can feel the extra satisfaction when he goes out and buys something kinky. Like Gold Bond

[The Brain]

I usually run crying to the internet.

[Malthus]

I've never encountered this problem - but then, my clients are mostly business-legal professional types. They may well be bigoted, but they generally know better than to express it in a professional setting. 

[Syt]

mostly business-legal professional types

I.e. other Jews.

[crazy canuck]

I usually run crying to the internet.

[derspiess]

I usually run crying to the internet.

Yep-- Brain wins another thread.

[Legbiter]

Hey guys, have you ever had a situation where a client would make offensive, eg antisemitic remarks in your presence (without knowing you are Jewish)? If so how do you react?

I have it sometimes with homophobic stuff (eg. someone remarks that gays are disgusting) and don't know how to react.

I'm always the consumate professional. Then again, I just don't get alot of customers suddenly holding forth on gays and whatever kills crops/boners among heterosexual men like you do in Poland.

Martinus...I think it's time for you to downgrade your pillow-biting to a side dish of your personality. A thick fruity salad, for sure, but a salad nontheless next to the meat and fat. Make it an incidental part of your personality, like liking MMO's or social democracy.

[MadImmortalMan]

Are you in need of representation, Marty? Is that why you're asking?