A senior corporate lawyer has been fined $3,000 after pleading guilty to “conduct unbefitting a barrister”.

John Blackwood, of Chancery Legal, was charged with shouting offensive words in an expletive-riddled rant at a fellow attorney while drunk at a social function.

According to a legal notice published in today’s Royal Gazette, Mr Blackwood appeared before the Bermuda Bar Association’s professional conduct committee in December and pleaded guilty to the charge.

The notice, submitted by the Acting Registrar, reads in part: “On December 9, 2022, when attending a social function and whilst in an intoxicated condition, he failed to act with good faith and courtesy in his relationship with another barrister.

“When approaching the complainant, he repeatedly shouted extremely offensive words at the complainant, causing her to feel uncomfortable and forcing her to leave the said function.”

Mr Blackwood was charged with improper conduct four months later. The notice stated that his conduct was “unbefitting a barrister” and in breach of two sections of the Bermuda Bar Act and rules of the Barristers Code of Professional Conduct.

The notice added: “On December 18, 2023, the said John Blackwood appeared before a Bar disciplinary tribunal and pleaded guilty to said charges.“

The tribunal ordered that Mr Blackwood “be strongly admonished”.

In addition, he was fined $3,000 and ordered to pay the complainant’s legal fees and the expenses incurred by the professional conduct committee.

Originally from Scotland, Mr Blackwood moved to Bermuda in 2016 to work as a corporate lawyer for Wakefield Quin.

In 2019, he moved to Chancery Legal, where he is employed as a senior corporate counsel.

On his LinkedIn page, Mr Blackmore describes himself as a “strong and experienced legal professional with excellent communication skills, proven leadership qualities, coupled with an adaptive and commercial approach”.

Contacted by The Royal Gazette today, Mr Blackwood said he did not wish to comment on the incident.

He said: “There’s nothing to talk about. I’m just going into a meeting right now and can’t speak to this.”

According to the Bermuda Bar Association’s website, the professional conduct committee was established to investigate and determine if there is a “prima facie” case of improper conduct against an attorney.

The website states: “The PCC may also appoint accountants to manage the trust funds of the attorney.

“If a complaint of improper conduct warrants further disciplinary action, other than the admonishment that the PCC can give, the complaint is referred to a tribunal. The tribunal has the power to admonish, reprimand, fine, suspend or disbar the attorney.”