Law Practice,
Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Jul. 16, 2010
Keep It Professional: Sex and Ethics
When it comes to intimate conduct between lawyers and clients, what are the limits?
Wendy L. Patrick
Wendy is a California lawyer, past chair and advisor of the California State Bar Ethics Committee (Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct), and past chair of the San Diego County Bar Association Legal Ethics Committee. Any opinions expressed here are her own, and do not reflect that of her employer. This article does not constitute legal advice.
During the course of legal representation, a lawyer who is handling a messy divorce for a soon-to be single good looking client decides that against her better judgment, she is becoming sexually attracted to her client. Both the California Rules of Professional Conduct and the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct address this provocative issue. Despite knowing the rules, however, many practitioners still question whether a romantic kiss is barred. Well, California Rule of Professiona...
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