Lawyer Adam Houda’s texts to intern revealed

The risque texts a high profile Sydney lawyer sent to his newly appointed intern have been revealed after his efforts to cover them up as she sues him for sexual harassment were denied.

Lawyer Adam Houda leaves the John Maddison Tower law courts in Sydney in October. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

A high-profile criminal lawyer texted his new intern “I want to put you in the doggy position”, then tried to cover it up over concerns for his standing in the Muslim community when she sued him.

Adam Houda has strenuously denied any wrongdoing since his former intern Hana Seraphim claimed she was sexually harassed and victimised while she was an intern at Mr Houda’s Sydney firm Lawyers Corp.

The Daily Telegraph can now reveal the private texts that provoked an application by Mr Houda, 49, to have the case suppressed in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, as well as a subsequent appeal of that decision which were both defeated.

Lawyer Hana Seraphim leaves the John Maddison Tower law courts in Sydney in October. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

In an initial hearing to determine whether the substantive proceedings should occur behind closed doors, Mr Houda contended he and Ms Seraphim had a consensual, sexual relationship during the subject period.

Mr Houda’s counsel Christopher Parkin said in October a host of sexually explicit texts between Mr Houda and Ms Seraphim would cause embarrassment, and potential harm to his standing in the Arabic and Islamic communities in Sydney and his business.

Mr Parkin highlighted one text Mr Houda sent to Ms Seraphim on December 2, 2020, which stated: “I want to put you in the doggy position.”

Days later, he asked: “What’s your favourite way to get it?”

Adam Houda. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“This is communication of a highly sexually explicit nature made in a private relationship where he would not expect this to be shared and released, let alone with the public at large …(there will be) an impact of this on his relationship with his daughters,” Mr Parkin said.

“No daughter should have to read this about their father.”

Mr Houda also contended he had fears for his safety if these matters became public because his clients – who he described as “serious criminals” with bikie gang affiliations – knew Ms Seraphim due to their previous engagement with her in a sex work context.

“These are communications made between two people who were in a consensual, sexual relationship,” Mr Parkin told the tribunal.

Lawyer Hana Seraphim leaves the John Maddison Tower law courts in Sydney in October. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“This is the kind of thing, if publicised, would reverberate quite negatively throughout the Arabic and Islamic community, who are a significant source of referrals for his firm – the potential for damage to income is far and above in excess of what it might be if it was allegations of this kind.”

Mr Houda gave oral evidence about the “notorious bikie gang, very serious criminals” he had once represented who contacted him when Ms Seraphim appeared in court with counsel he had instructed in their case.

Adam Houda. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“My client said the lady is a prostitute we use from time to time, she does other things like organise girls for their parties, involved in the sharing of prohibited drugs, and other matters,” Mr Houda said of Ms Seraphim.

“I said, are you sure you’ve got the right person, she’s a legal student, she comes from the suburbs – I was shocked.

“They were concerned about if she had access to their files.”

Hana Seraphim on the day of her admission as a solicitor.

Ms Seraphim told the tribunal she regarded Mr Houda’s apprehension of danger to himself was based on hearsay evidence and did not rely on any specific evidence of a threat.

She also emphasised the interests of open justice in opposing the hearing proceeding in private, while accusing Mr Houda of seeking to have the last word after giving an interview to the Sunday Telegraph in which he refuted her claims.

It is agreed Ms Seraphim completed her practical legal training at Mr Houda’s office in a stint beginning in late 2020 while she was studying law and psychology at the University of Wollongong.

Before studying law, she worked legally in the sex industry as an escort and a dancer.

Ms Seraphim has asked the tribunal to award her damages, order Mr Houda to write her a letter of apology, and for him to undergo a mandatory training course and make a donation to sex worker organisation the Scarlet Alliance.

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