The New York Times last week posted this article about how costumes reveal much about the lawyers wearing them. (See article & pictures here) Apparently, a lawyers for a foreclosure law firm in upstate New York thought it would be hilarious and appropriate to dress up as the homeless or poor for their annual Halloween party. Are you kidding me? The subject matter is near and dear having met and dealt with plenty of homeowners in this position through our foreclosure mediation program. This is the type of behavior that makes the rest of the world hate us! 
3 thoughts on “Halloween Evils?”
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I admit I read any news story with a tremendous amount of skepticism. When I first read this blog post and the related comments that blasted the “foreclosure mil” firm for its Halloween costumes – my first thought was that there must be more to this story. Surely, a law firm would not be so demeaning towards a group of people in the midst of unfortunate economic problems.
I kept reading and got to the part about the “former” employee. I thought – ok here we go – that is the real story. I fanaticized that the former employee [who attended the party last year, and possibly even had a good time] was simply bitter about no longer working for the company. She obviously did something terrible and that is why she now longer works there. And now, an entire year later, has decided to seek revenge by leaking personal photos to the press. Additionally, the costumes were not a mean way to make fun of their legal adversaries. Rather they were a sort of holistic sole-searching process to help the lawyers find their inner compassion.
Again, I think I felt this way just because I did not believe that these lawyers would really dress up the way they did. My natural inclination is to assume that there must be some obvious explanation. I like to assume the best in people, I really do. But…I kept on reading…
The NY Times writer discussed several of the photos. I still thought – hey this is just one interpretation of these… But once I got to the part about the investigation by the NY Attorney General, and the firm’s consistent failure to follow the procedures for state-mandated settlement conferences – my fleeting hopes that these lawyers were not just cold-hearted people were dashed. And that was before reading about the 73-year-old woman the firm put through foreclosure hell.
No, I am not going to let this news article and the lack of compassion by this group of New York lawyers dampen my attempt to keep an optimistic outlook towards my fellow humans. But, there is no denying that these photos are disappointing and a bad reflection on the entire legal profession. Hopefully other lawyers and future lawyers like myself will see that is important to act with professionalism and have compassion 365 days a year. Even Halloween, is not an exception.
Oh dear. Clearly these lawyers in this article didn’t receive the same ad museum warnings that my current 2L class has about decorum in the workplace, and the dangers of social media & public photos. Not only were they clearly lacking judgment in creating the costumes, but they showed even worse judgment by thinking it was appropriate to pose for pictures. We are all guilty of uncouth behavior at one time or another, but seriously, in the work place? And about such a sensitive subject? Definitely not showing compassion for clients in difficult situations.
This is off the charts when it comes to appalling. Way beyond lack of good taste or good sense.
I am happy to say that the lenders’ lawyers we work with in Chicago in foreclosure mediation do not fall into this appalling category.