“All lawyers are jerks” (lawyer joke)

“All lawyers are jerks!” is a line in a popular lawyer joke. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1998 and is of unknown authorship.
 
 
Google Groups: alt.callahans
A short one for WareWolf
Slywlf
6/7/98
Found this in the Ulster County Townsman;
 
A man walks into a bar, slams his hand down and shouts
“All lawyers are jerks!”
A man at the other end of the bar says
“I resent that!”
“Why? Are you a lawyer?”
“No! I’m a jerk!”
 
Google Groups: alt.support.divorce
Lawyer bashing:)
AUGUST BRADSHAW
1/28/99
Having many legal problems, including a divorce, a man had become thoroughly disgusted with lawyers in general.
One evening in a bar, the conversation got around to his pet peeve and he started “venting.” “All lawyers are jerks,” he loudly proclaimed.
Another man nearby heard this, looked disturbed, and sauntered over to him.
“Look, I heard what you said, and I am highly offended by it.”
“Why is that—are you a lawyer?” he asked.
“No, I’m not; I’m a jerk!”
 
Google Groups: alt.humor
All lawyers are jerks
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
3/7/99
Here is some goofiness from Goofball.com
We hope it gives you a laugh…
http://www.goofball.com/cgibin/redirect.cgi?/jokes/lawyer/990307_jerk_lawyer.html
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All lawyers are jerks
Submitted by: robnoxious
 
Guy goes to a restaurant and is confronted with a subpoena. 
Being frustrated the man says loudly “All Lawyers are Jerks”. 
One guy stands up and says “Hey, I resent that remark”.  So the guy asks “Are you a lawyer?”  The guy responds, “No, I’m a Jerk!”
 
Google Books
The Best Lawyer Jokes Ever
By Keith McGuinness
Chantilly, VA: MetroBooks
2002
Pp. 29-30:
AFTER HAVING RECENTLY GONE THROUGH a divorce and experiencing many other legal problems, Larry had become thoroughly disgusted with lawyers. One evening in a bar, the conversation got around to his pet peeve and he started to complain.
 
“All lawyers are jerks,” he loudly proclaimed. Another man nearby heard the insult, looked disturbed, and sauntered over to Larry.
 
“Look, I heard what you said,” he sneered. “I am highly offended by it.”
 
“Why is that?” Larry retorted. “Are you a lawyer?”
 
“No! I’m not a lawyer,” the other man replied. “I’m a jerk.”
 
Google Books
Bloopers, Blunders, Jokes, Quips & Quotes
Edited by Jim Kraus
Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers
2005
Pg. 39:
Embroiled in a number of legal battles including a divorce, a man had become totally disgusted with lawyers in general. One evening at a restaurant counter, he began venting. “All lawyers are jerks,” he loudly proclaimed.
 
A man sitting nearby immediately got up and confronted the complainer. “Look, I am highly offended by what you just said.”
 
“Why? Are you a lawyer?” the man asked.
 
“No, I’m not. I’m a jerk!”