Akin Gump: The Language Police

In an earlier post I related an incident that occurred at the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, where I was employed as a paralegal from 1988-1991, concerning a firm partner named Bruce Mendelsohn.  I took Mr. Mendelsohn to task in the spring of 1988 for his use of profane language.

A similar incident occurred with a paralegal in 1991.  From April 8, 1991 to about mid-July 1991 I worked at a cubicle in the firm's terrace level office (Litigation Support Group) adjacent to another paralegal named Robert Dillon.  Bob Dillon attended law school at night at Catholic University and was originally from Philadelphia.

On one occasion Dillon repeatedly used the "F" word during a telephone conversation.  That was a little too much for me.  When he hung up the phone, I said, "Bob, if you use the word f--- one more time!"  He said, "I know, I know."  I said, "It's a special word.  Save it for special occasions."

Robert Dillon is now a practicing attorney in Philadelphia.

According to a sworn statement Dennis Race, Esq. (Akin Gump) filed with the D.C. Department of Human Rights in an unlawful job termination complaint I filed against the firm in 1992, my coworkers in Litigation Support in the terrace level office were afraid to work next to me because of my volatile and, at times, "bizarre"  behavior.  Robert Dillon was a coworker in litigation support in the terrace level.  His work station was adjacent to mine for a period of at least three months, in the six month period immediately prior to my job termination in late October 1991.  I wonder if Robert Dillon found my behavior volatile and bizarre?  I wonder if Robert Dillon was afraid to work next to me?