A recent survey reveals a disturbing trend in the legal profession: nearly one in four lawyers have experienced workplace bullying in the past year. The large-scale study, conducted by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, gathered responses from over 6,000 attorneys, uncovering the harsh realities many face within their professional environment.
The findings highlight significant disparities based on gender, race, and sexual orientation. While 24% of lawyers reported being bullied, the numbers spike among certain groups: 38% of female lawyers, 35% of Black lawyers, 34% of Hispanic lawyers, and 39% of LGBTQ+ attorneys have faced bullying on the job. Younger lawyers, particularly those between 25 to 35, were also more frequently targeted, with 39% reporting incidents, compared to just 12% of their older colleagues aged 66 to 75.
Bullying in the legal field, often dismissed or overlooked, can take many forms. Verbal intimidation, including name-calling, shouting, and excessive criticism, topped the list, but physical intimidation, cyberbullying, and even physical confrontations were also reported. The perpetrators vary as well, with 33% of bullied lawyers pointing to outside counsel, 31% identifying senior lawyers within their firm, and 14% naming judges as the source of their harassment.
Despite the prevalence, only a small fraction—20%—of those affected reported the behavior. Fear of being labeled as weak or a complainer was the primary reason many remained silent.
The report urges law firms and legal institutions to implement stronger anti-bullying policies and suggests that law schools should offer training to help future lawyers recognize and combat workplace bullying. Courts are also encouraged to enforce these standards, ensuring that the pursuit of justice is not marred by toxic behavior.
As the report eloquently concludes, “If bullying is intolerable in schools, how much more should it be condemned in the halls of justice where professionals are sworn to uphold the law and fairness?”
