"But it does sound like this sore winner is a risk to your legal practice. Even if you work in a big city, the family law community isn't that big. There's a real risk that a potential client, someone who works for a competing firm, or someone involved in a case will overhear the gloating. That's especially likely if these stories are told at a couple-of-drinks-in volume."
"Sharing your concerns with the managing partner (the person typically involved in personnel issues and establishing office policies) sounds like the right response. Speak confidentially, of course, and avoid naming the storyteller if you can. I assume the managing partner doesn't join these happy hours? Tell them that you're concerned that one (or some) of your colleagues is speaking too freely about their cases in public, and you worry this poses a reputational risk to the firm."
Dark humor and celebratory gloating can be common coping and triumphant responses among family law attorneys, but public recounting of clients' cases poses reputational and confidentiality risks. Colleagues who loudly boast about 'pathetic chump ex-husbands' risk being overheard by potential clients, opposing counsel, or parties to cases. The recommended action is to raise the concern confidentially with the managing partner, avoiding naming the storyteller where possible. Ask for reminders about discussing cases in public, clearer office policies about confidentiality and professional conduct at social events, and consider training or formal guidance to protect the firm's reputation.
Read at Slate Magazine
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