Bullying In The Legal Industry: A Quick Rundown
- Megan Maysie
- Dec 10, 2025
- 4 min read
Lawyer bullying is far more common than people admit — and it leaves real emotional, financial, and psychological damage.
Our article, "Lawyer Bullying Tactics: Dealing with Giant Contenders Locked in Schoolyard Bully Mode," exposes the tactics, the culture that enables bullying in the legal industry, and why calling it out is essential for justice and healing.
But it's a long read and can be challenging to digest, so here's a quick "Cheat Sheet."
Difference Between Law and Justice
In the grips of the aftermath of trauma, "why?" is a central theme. Why me, why did this horrible thing even happen, why is injustice allowed by God? And, at some point, why is there no justice in this world?
Justice is the cornerstone of society, but it’s not quite as pure and straightforward as it sounds. Philosophically, Justice is:
"It is in justice that the ordering of society is centered."Aristotle
"Justice renders to every one his due."Cicero
What will ring true to trauma victims is a more recent observation on Justice. In his work Pensées (Thoughts), French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal found that:
"Justice without strength is helpless, strength without justice is tyrannical." Pascal
But still, justice is not law, which is the codified set of rules that, in theory, society puts in place to create an orderly society. Technically, these rules set out to serve justice, but the lawmakers are politicians and the administrators are lawyers- two of the least trusted career groups globally.
Justice, in the hands of unethical people, quickly moves from creating an orderly society to creating a controlled society. Justice does not equal law. After trauma, we want to find justice, to help us get equilibrium back, so we turn to the lawyers and lawmakers to help make things right, but there we find the rule of law.
When turning to the rule of law, the distinction between justice and law sharpens. Here’s a quick rundown, a few thoughts from “Lawyer Bullying Tactics: Dealing with Giant Contenders Locked in Schoolyard Bully Mode”. to get an overall picture of what victims of trauma sometimes find in lawyers they engage to serve justice, in the interests of “forearmed is forewarned” on one potential obstacle in the road to justice, and healing.
Read the main article: Link to “Lawyer Bullying Tactics: Dealing with Giant Contenders Locked in Schoolyard Bully Mode”
The Good Lawyers (Because They Do Exist)
They explain things clearly and without condescension
They welcome questions and transparency
They keep costs predictable and upfront
They act with integrity even when nobody is watching
They protect clients, not their own ego
They see law as service, not domination
They treat opponents with respect — and win through skill, not theatrics
They play the ball, not the player
But sometimes they're hard to find. Be aware that lawyer bullies may fit for purpose- tough and up for a fight, but that can be a double-edged sword.
Common Bullying Tactics Lawyers Use
Using intimidation instead of reasoning
Overloading clients with unnecessary legal jargon
Withholding information to maintain control
Shouting, belittling, or using a condescending tone (That sanctimonious attitude doesn’t translate to authority or respect- it’s disrespectful)
Threatening outcomes that are exaggerated or unlikely
Overcharging or adding surprise costs late in the process
Weaponising “lawyer authority” to shut down questions
Playing emotional games: irritation, coldness, guilt, superiority
Misusing trust funds or being vague about money movements
Deliberately dragging out matters to increase fees
Using aggressive posturing or theatrics (“pounding the table”) when the facts are weak
Why Some Lawyers Resort to Bullying
Ego-driven identity: seeing aggression as “strength”
Low self-esteem masked as superiority
Industry culture rewards dominance and intimidation
Billable-hour pressure incentivising conflict
A belief that clients should fear them to respect them
Emotional detachment mistaken for professionalism
Power imbalance too tempting not to abuse
Lack of accountability inside firms
A career environment where empathy is seen as a weakness
Why Clients Are Particularly Vulnerable to This Behaviour
Legal issues happen during life crises
Clients feel dependent on their lawyer’s knowledge
Power imbalance: one side knows the system, the other doesn’t
Emotional exhaustion makes people defer to authority
Fear of losing the case or harming their future
Shame or confusion stops clients from challenging bad behaviour
The belief that “lawyers are meant to be like this”
Systemic Incentives That Allow Bullying to Thrive
Adversarial legal systems reward aggression over cooperation
Firms celebrate “toughness,” not humanity
No meaningful client feedback mechanisms
Complaint systems are slow, intimidating, and often protect practitioners
Billable-hour models encourage prolonging disputes
Training emphasises winning, not ethical communication
Senior lawyers often model abusive behaviour for juniors
Red Flags When Meeting or Choosing a Lawyer
They interrupt or talk over you
You feel small, confused, or intimidated after the meeting
They downplay your concerns or blame you for the situation
Costs are vague, shifting, or oddly justified
They boast about being “the toughest” or “destroying opponents”
They pressure you to make fast decisions
They mock or belittle other clients or colleagues
You sense their ego is the real client
The Psychological Impact of Lawyer Bullying
Loss of trust in legal institutions
Heightened anxiety and chronic stress
Feelings of helplessness and being “small”
Shame for not asserting oneself
Emotional flashbacks when dealing with authority figures
Avoidance of future legal processes (even when needed)
Reinforcement of trauma patterns from past experiences
Bullying In The Legal Industry: Lawyers And Trauma Victims
Choose your representation carefully. Lawyers are humans; they, too, have goals and dreams. Sometimes they have agendas too- most are under pressure to maximize billable hours. Still, the rule of law can be a valuable tool to deploy to get access to justice, but laws and justice are not always aligned.
More importantly, work on healing, making yourself whole. On the healing path is often where we can make sense out of suffering, and find meaning in our lives while the rule of law plays out.
Legal “justice” takes years. Please don't put your life on hold waiting for it to be served. Happiness sometimes has nothing to do with justice.
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