Legal Ethics

Lawyer Suspended After Offensive Royal Baby Tweet

You're not funny.

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(Photo by Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The birth of a baby — yes, even a famous one — should be a cause for celebration and positivity. There’s simply no room for hatred, racism or ill-intent. But as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are all too aware, people can be trash.

The couple recently announced the birth of their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. And they’ve received comments that are… less than congratulatory in response. One of the objectionable “wishes” the royals have received is from family law barrister, Joanna Toch — and she’s been suspended from her law firm as a result.

So what exactly transpired? In response to journalist Julie Burchill’s also incredibly offensive Tweet (“What a missed opportunity. They could have called it Georgina Floydina!?”), Toch responded with, “No Doria? Don’t black names matter?” (Doria is Markle’s mother’s name.)

According to reporting by Legal Cheek, Toch has been suspended “pending an internal review” by Family Law Cafe (FLC). The firm went on to note the Tweet was “offensive, unacceptable and highly contradictory to the inclusive manner in which FLC has always and will continue to work with members of all communities in managing the challenges of matrimonial and family dispute.”

Toch has indicated she will cooperate with the investigation, and has apologized for the unkind words:

“I am very sorry for the comment and what I saw as a joke. I’ve fought during my professional life against racism which is abhorrent. I’m not a judge and I have children of colour and I apologise unreservedly.”

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She also appears to have deleted her Twitter account.

It’s unclear what other consequences Toch may face, but the Bar Standards Board has issues social media guidance saying that comments that “demean or insult are likely to diminish public trust and confidence in the profession.”

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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