So far, this series of articles about lawyers’ “Seven Deadly Sins” has covered the risks of falling behind technology and competence requirements (sloth), marketing and self-promotion (pride), improper personal relationships with clients (lust) and overindulging in new matters or harmful vices (gluttony).

This installment of the series covers wrath—the emotional instability or anger that is sometimes associated with professionals engaged in the practice of law. Law is a stressful profession. It can involve long hours, pressing deadlines and, sometimes, personal unpleasantness. Lawyers can become too emotionally involved in their matters or may sometimes respond to stressors with anger or frustration. The public at large may even view attorneys as an angry or rude subsection of the populace.