Panic mode at first -- disreputable lawyer entering continent (4,8)
I believe the answer is:
mass hysteria
'panic' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'mode at first disreputable lawyer entering continent' is the wordplay.
'at first' suggests taking the first letters.
'disreputable lawyer' becomes 'shyster' (I've seen this before).
'entering' is an insertion indicator.
'continent' becomes 'asia' (Asia is an example).
The initial letter of 'mode' is 'm'.
'shyster' inserted within 'asia' is 'asshysteria'.
'm'+'asshysteria'='MASS HYSTERIA'
(Other definitions for mass hysteria that I've seen before include "General panic" , "Frenzy" , "caused by church service?" .)