Lawyers represent clients in legal proceedings. But in one Texas attorney made an embarrassing gaffe during an online court hearing on Zoom that quickly went viral.
Rod Ponton began his virtual court hearing with Judge Roy Ferguson unaware that his on-screen appearance had turned into a cat filter. Judge Ferguson quickly gave him notice and recruited his assistant to remove it – unfortunately this effort didn’t succeed.
Video goes viral
Cat videos, heartwarming reunions and infuriating news clips all get shared for one reason: how they make us feel. Research indicates that people share content based on how it makes them feel: whether laughing out loud or feeling empathy towards those featured. Furthermore, research also indicates that certain emotions make us more likely to remember something we saw or heard.
Court hearings are occasions where lives may depend on what transpires, so when an attorney from Texas came out dressed like a cat during a virtual court appearance, it made for an entertaining moment – and meme-worthy memes!
Rod Ponton was appearing before Judge Roy Ferguson for a civil forfeiture case when his Zoom video call became infiltrated with a filter that changed his face into that of an adorable feline. His struggle to turn off this filter has become viral on Twitter and YouTube with millions of views and shares across both networks.
Judge reprimands Ponton
The coronavirus pandemic has caused numerous computer mishaps, and this week Texas lawyer Rod Ponton became another victim. While participating in a video hearing, Ponton accidentally left on a kitten filter.
Video footage of this incident went viral, leading a judge to publicly criticize Ponton for his lack of concentration and inability to remove his Zoom filter from his screen. He further encouraged all lawyers present to check their filters prior to attending virtual meetings.
Ferguson insisted he wasn’t making light of anyone, emphasizing the need for all involved to continue working with dignity during this pandemic. Additionally, he applauded their “incredible grace”.
The cat filter seen in this video does not originate with Zoom itself or from Snap Camera – an application designed to add filters to video chat sessions – instead it most likely came from an older program working with Dell webcam software.
Ponton’s lawyer says he’s not a cat
If you have been on video calls with an attorney this week, chances are you may have seen Rod Ponton. He recently made headlines after accidentally turning into an adorable kitten when signing in to Zoom hearings this week.
Ponton can be seen struggling to remove an adorable tabby face filter from his face in the livestream of 394th Judicial District Court proceedings, much to everyone’s amusement, while Ponton mimes attempts at taking it off and declares, “I’m not a cat!” Ponton attempts to take off the filter but ultimately fails, telling his colleagues “I’m not a cat!”
Presidio County lawyer who was using his secretary’s computer when signing into a call had no idea that kitten filter would appear. Nonetheless, he has received much support online with numerous five-star Google reviews of his law firm; even Judge Steven Fletcher thinks he is doing an admirable job despite this digital mishap.
Ponton’s lawyer gets a job
As we struggle to find lighthearted entertainment during a challenging and uncertain period, the “cat lawyer moment” has captured global attention and created something of a sensation worldwide. Rod Ponton became an instant celebrity due to his Zoom cat filter mishap which garnered billions of video views worldwide.
Ponton, who represents Presidio County in Texas, experienced everyone’s worst Zoom nightmare when he logged into a virtual court hearing with Judge Roy Ferguson and noticed his face had transformed into that of an adorable feline. Although shocked silence ensued for a brief period during which time, all lawyers on the call (including H. Gibbs Bauer who once served as Ponton’s law partner) managed to remain professional throughout.
Ponton continues his practice of law in the Big Bend region, specializing in criminal defense, real estate transactions, wills/probate and business negotiation. Additionally, he’s actively engaged in community development activities including meeting housing needs in Brewster, Pecos and Presidio Counties; having amassed over 130 Google reviews with 5-star ratings.
