I have also experienced a few defense counsel with these traits. Fortunately, they are a minority, but it only takes one to wreck your day, and if you are not careful, cause you to resort to tactics that are reciprocal instead of professional. A healthy tension between plaintiff s counsel and attorneys representing defendants is the bedrock of the adversarial system. A cooperative and truthful relationship is in the best interest of the clients and our civil justice system. Often times the actions and motives of an opponent are misinterpreted.
Anger becomes a knee-jerk reaction.
I must take responsibility and admit that I, too, have fallen into that trap. The better response is to never lose your temper. If you are right, you have no need to lose it. If you are wrong, you cannot afford to lose it. More often than not, the misunderstanding can be amicably settled, thereby strengthening the professional relationship.