Law Prof Seeks Retort for ‘Legal Ethics—an Oxymoron’ Jokes

A legal ethics professor cornered all too often by jokesters who see his field as an oxymoron is asking for advice on how to handle their barbs.

Suffolk law professor Andrew Perlman comes up with one tongue-in-cheek response: "It takes an oxymoron to know one, Mr. 'Smart ... ass.' " Then he asks for better ideas in a post at Legal Ethics Forum.

Some who responded suggested using such occasions as teaching moments. Another suggests this question: “Who do you think lies more often in a typical day—a lawyer or a nonlawyer?”