Lawyers should think twice before appearing on reality TV

Lawyers Weekly Australia reports

While it might seem like a good, fun and maybe even enriching experience to go on the reality TV show journey, legal employees need to seriously consider their professional standing and employment before agreeing to be a contestant on such a show, writes Michael Byrnes.

Reputation and professional standing are very important to lawyers. Legal professionals contemplating being a contestant on a reality TV show might want to think twice before signing on. While an appearance on a reality TV show is almost always going to be in a private rather than professional capacity, it can nevertheless potentially have consequences for the employment of contestants whose behaviour on the program attracts a negative public reaction.

A similar situation to this was recently considered by the Councillor Conduct Tribunal in Queensland. The tribunal examined alleged misconduct by a former councillor of Noosa Shire Council, Jess Glasgow, related to his appearance on The Bachelorette in 2019. At the time of his appearance, he was a councillor, although he no longer holds that position. Angie Kent, the former Gogglebox personality, was the bachelorette for that season.

The allegations, set out in the decision, included the following:

1. “Dressed in a long robe with a crown, telling Ms Kent he was ‘in local politics in Noosa’ and ‘the one below the Mayor’”.
2. “Made several comments about Ms Kent, namely ‘Don’t mind me if I get some wandering fingers alright’, ‘Damn, I’m gonna [sic] be the first person she’s gonna get to ride’ and where the Councillor was facing the bottom half of Ms Kent’s body: ‘Hey, have a look at my view’ and ‘Damn, this beats my last girlfriend”.
3. “Where the Councillor spoke of a desire to kiss Ms Kent, stating he ‘would’ve just grabbed that sweetie and laid one on her, like’. Further, he then said ‘Know what, I don’t mind if a girl turns, I’ve kissed plenty of girls and they’ve turned their heads before. I’m used to i.’ and ‘the bottom line is I try [to kiss them]’”.

The conduct engaged in by Mr Glasgow engendered public outcry and led to complaints to the mayor and chief executive of the council.

The Tribunal found Mr Glasgow had engaged in misconduct in breach of the Local Government Act and the applicable code of conduct.

It held that had he remained elected to the council, it is likely the Tribunal would have exercised its discretion to recommend to the minister that they suspend or dismiss him from office. The Tribunal also imposed a fine on him.

One of the submissions Mr Glasgow presented in his defence – that he was the victim of unfair editing and was asked by producers to act and perform in particular ways – was rejected. That submission was not helped by a radio interview Mr Glasgow gave in which he said, “It was…my personal self on there”.

Source

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