Civility in the legal profession spiraled downward in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and has more recently been exacerbated by the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East, with almost 70% of respondents to a recent survey saying they had either experienced or witnessed uncivil behavior from another lawyer.

“The legal field is just a microcosm of society more broadly, and I think we’re seeing a decline in civility and society at large,” said Aitan Lerner, president of the Toronto Lawyers Association.