Complaint Alleges Improper Advances

A complaint filed by the North Carolina State Bar alleges that an attorney engaged in misconduct in a domestic case that involved child custody and support.

The complaint alleges that lawyer and client met at a restaurant after a court hearing where he “flirted with [the client] and kissed her.”

From that point forward, most of [the attorney’s] communications with [the client] were flirtatious, romantic, or sexual.

He allegedly proposed romantic trips and “sent…graphic messages, explicit propositions, one or more semi-nude photos of himself, and at least one photograph of his genitals.”

He did advise her to seek independent legal advice but allegedly did not obtain the client’s informed consent.

The attorney allegedly gave the client “$500, permitted [her] to use his credit card, and wrote her a check for $8,000.00.”

The client “resisted [his] efforts to persuade her to engage in a sexual relationship, and ultimately sought other counsel to complete her case.”

The complaint further alleges improper post-termination disclosures to opposing counsel. (Mike Frisch)