Lawyer Gets Discipline for Humming “Twilight Zone” Theme

Steven H. Levy, a lawyer in Torrington, CT, received a public reprimand under Rule 4.4 (using “means that have no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person”) for improper humming (registration required).

In a contentious divorce case, the spouses (and their lawyers), a family services worker and a guardian ad litem gathered to discuss the case. At some point, there was a discussion about the need for psychological testing. The wife asked why such a test would be needed, and allegedly Levy looked directly at her, said someone in the room had psychological problems, and then started humming the Twilight Zone theme.

Standing alone, this seems like a pretty trivial act to warrant State Bar discipline. However, the article also gives other examples that suggest Levy has a knack for getting himself into trouble. Nevertheless, lawyers may be well-advised to watch their humming (and probably their whistling as well)–no Twilight Zone theme, no theme from Jaws, no ominous music from Psycho. And definitely no barking like a pit bull!