Deferred Suspension

Adopting the recommendation of the Attorney Disciplinary Board, the Supreme Court of Louisiana imposed a fully-deferred 90 day suspension in a case involving a lawyer who had engaged in a sexual relationship with a client involved in divorce and child custody litigation. The suspended sanction was deemed appropriate because the relationship was “clearly consensual” and the “result of mutual attraction.” While there was the possibility of harm, the court concluded that there was no actual damage to the client’s position in the domestic matter. The lawyer had self-reported the misconduct. (Mike Frisch)