Jessica Mager, a partner at Taft Law, was in some hot water 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].”
Two days after that sexual encounter, the client got into a verbal and physical altercation with his wife. The client was later found dead by suicide.
Last month, the Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Conduct recommended a stayed six-month suspension, with the condition Mager refrain from further misconduct. Mager has agreed to this discipline. As reported by ABA Journal:
Free Attorney Time Tracking Template For Smarter Billing
Tired of messy time logs? This free attorney time tracking template helps you bill with confidence and accuracy. Learn more in the full article.
Mager stipulated to violation of a conduct rule that bars sexual activity with a client unless a consensual relationship existed when the client-lawyer relationship began.
The board noted that Mager had no prior discipline, the misconduct involved a single client, and she displayed a cooperative attitude in the proceedings. Several judges, lawyers and former clients also submitted letters attesting to her good character.
Mager previously 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.”
Mager’s attorney, Jonathan Coughlan of the Coughlan Law Firm, noted this is not a final determination. “There has been no decision,” Coughlan said. “This is simply a joint recommendation to the Supreme Court of Ohio, which makes the decision. In fact, the joint recommendation happened some time ago.”
Why Law Firms Are Moving Beyond The Billable Hour
Explore 5 expert-backed reasons law firms are rethinking the billable hour and how legal billing software is leading the way.
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).