Biglaw Partner Finds Sleeping With A Client Not Really A Career Boon

She's facing disciplinary action.

Jessica Mager, a partner at Taft Law (formerly known as Taft Stettinius & Hollister), is facing a disciplinary complaint for engaging in a sexual relationship with a client. In October of 2019, Mager, whose practice focuses on family law, represented a client in his divorce proceeding when the Ohio Office of Disciplinary Counsel said she engaged in a sexual relationship with the client in violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, “specifically Prof.Cond.R. 1.8(j) [prohibiting a lawyer from soliciting or engaging in sexual activity with a client unless a consensual relationship existed between them when the client-lawyer relationship commenced].”

As reported by ABA Journal, Mager is alleged to have exchanged sexually suggestive text messages and engaged in sexual activity with the client:

Their conversations became “increasingly personal,” as shown by text messages sent in October 2019, according to the complaint. In one exchange, Mager asked her client, “Can we go on like a normal date, like ever!?” Her client responded, “Yes like 4ever and ever if u want me.”

On Oct. 19, 2019, Mager’s client went to her house, where they had dinner and wine and engaged in sexual intercourse, according to the complaint. She later sent a text message to her client, saying “I do want you and I do want to see where it goes. I think I have said that and my actions support what I am saying.”

A few days after that encounter, on October 21, 2019, the client was found dead by suicide following an altercation with his wife.

The firm issued a statement on the allegations:

“The firm and Ms. Mager take these matters very seriously and will fully cooperate with the board. Taft remains deeply committed to upholding and enforcing the highest ethical standards of conduct in the practice of law.”

Mager said that in her two-decade career she “earned a reputation for integrity. However, two years ago, during a difficult time in my life, I made a serious error in judgment. I have no one to blame but myself, and I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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