“I Think We Are Okay”

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court imposed a one-year suspension by consent of an attorney who had connected with a potential client on LegalMatch.com.

The matter involved a property damage claim of the client.

They met on March 18, 2021 “the first time the two women had met in person.”

The following day, Respondent sent a text to the client about a sexual relationship

I read the ethical rules and I think we are okay.

Respondent verbally advised the client that they were “fine” because the relationship did not commence “until after  [the client’s] check had cleared.”

The relations started on March 23, 2021.

About a month later, the client advised Respondent that she “needed a ‘break’ and some time alone.”

Respondent reacted emotionally in a series of texts and falsely stated that the representation was terminated, to which the client demurred.

Respondent nonetheless “returned” the client file by “hanging it on [the client’s] front door in an unsecured bag.”

A few days later, Respondent texted

I love you. I care for you.

They “briefly reconciled” but the client ended the personal – but not professional – relationship on May 23, 2021.

The client terminated the representation on May 30.

Respondent placed the files in a bin left on the client’s front porch with messages

Be kind. Learn to love and forgive.

Respondent denied that the bin contained client files; the client contended that the bin had been tampered with and the files removed.

The stipulation to discipline noted several mitigating factors. (Mike Frisch)