Massachusetts attorney Ilya Liviz was suspended in April 2019 after failing to respond to requests for information during an investigation into alleged professional misconduct.

He continued to render legal services after this and was found in contempt, which he challenged in the courts.

Mr Liviz submitted that he “DID COMPLY, and DID PROVIDE AN ANSWER, and my answer was provided in a form of SILENCE. (BOOM SHAKALAKA)”.

However, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts said this was not an adequate response and his argument did not represent a “meaningful challenge” to the contempt order.

The court therefore upheld both orders, Bloomberg Law reports.