How do you deal with bat sh*t crazy opposing counsel? I have an OC on the file who truly should be in intensive therapy and is combative, unreasonable and nuts. How do I deal with this psycho? Help!

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How devious are you? How direct are you? Devious you could bait the SOB to engage in a mouth-frothing rage in front of the judge, and the judge would take care of your problem. If you and OC are both men, direct you could have a "sidebar" during recess where you could explain the advantages of not having his teeth knocked down his throat, all for the low, low price of just acting like a sane human being. You could just let him self-destruct. Crazy will out, as my grandma used to say.

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Hahha love this! It’s so true! We’re both woman..so a brawl is out of the question 😂 but yeah, I will let her lose her shit in front of the judge..let the judge put her in her place. Thanks!

Hahaha. I think these ones usually work themselves out...I try not to get too involved or show too much emotion toward them unless it's absolutely necessary, in which case I try to get a third party to intercess on my behalf. It's not worth dealing with these types one-on-one, in my opinion.

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Thanks! I’ll do my best!

They will dig their own hole. Just be professional and let them be crazy. The judge will notice, if they don’t know already. If they’re rude and combative all the time, in the past I’ve told OC’s that I won’t speak to them on the phone due to their behavior and that all communications must be in writing.

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Thanks! I appreciate your insight!

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Rise above it. Decide who you are as an attorney, and don't let the idiots shake that. Be professional at all times, and to the extent that you are triggered, do your personal growth work. Ask yourself: Who is this person reminding me of in your history: Mother; father; bully in school; etc.? The trigger is signaling something for you to work on inside yourself. Don't get me wrong: The bad behavior is not excusable, but we are responsible for our responses to other's poor behavior.

Tell him all correspondence is now on paper via letters on letterhead, and just go the litigation route. Settlement discussions are via red line stipulations ONLY. All court appearances on the record.

Ignore them as much as possible and stick to the points. If they call and yell at you, tell them you won’t talk on the phone and all correspondence must be in writing. Let them be crazy in front of the Judge while you sit calmly and wait your turn to speak. Chances are they probably have a reputation in court already.

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