Gossip had an effect after lawyers upset (6)
I believe the answer is:
rabbit
'gossip' is the definition.
(rabbit can mean to gossip or chat)
'had an effect after lawyers upset' is the wordplay.
'had an effect' becomes 'bit' (bite can mean to take effect).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'lawyers' becomes 'bar' (the bar can refer to the legal profession).
'upset' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'bar' reversed gives 'rab'.
'bit' put after 'rab' is 'RABBIT'.
(Other definitions for rabbit that I've seen before include "Roger, Peter or Brer" , "Poor player" , "Fur; chatter (colloq.)" , "Chatter; mammal" , "Inferior sportsman" .)