Disclaimer

THIS BLOG IS NOT GIVING LEGAL ADVICE, JUST COMMENTARY AND OPINION, COUNSEL SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSULTED FOR ADVICE FOR A SPECIFIC LEGAL PROBLEM



Friday, January 18, 2013

Lawyer who had affair with divorce client and billed her for sex loses license indefinitely

How can Attorneys be so Stupid; Does anyone think having sex with a client is alright or proper? Most attorneys know they are violating the rules. But??? What are your thoughts? The following article is from the ABA Journal Friday January 18, .013 A longtime Minnesota lawyer who admittedly had an affair with a matrimonial client and billed her for meeting time spent having sex has lost his law license for an indefinite period. Thomas P. Lowe, 58, will have to wait at least 15 months to apply for reinstatement of his suspended license, reports the Pioneer Press. The Daily Mail also has a story. The state supreme court said in a brief order (PDF) dated Jan. 10 and made public Wednesday that Lowe had admitted to the allegations of the disciplinary petition. The woman was considered a "vulnerable client" because of a history of prior abuse and mental health treatment. She reportedly attempted suicide after Lowe ended the affair. Related Topics and Comments Jan 17, 2013 2:21 PM CST Taking advantage of a vulnerable client? That’s pretty Lowe. 2. JustSayin' Jan 17, 2013 3:12 PM CST What the Court really objected to was his billing for the full quarter hour, when he only provided 3 minutes of services. 3. Island Attorney Jan 17, 2013 3:32 PM CST What a Lowe down dirty shame. 4. AndytheLawyer Jan 17, 2013 4:17 PM CST I wonder if his time and billing software had a specific code for those entries. 5. B. McLeod Jan 17, 2013 5:49 PM CST I think the stiff penalty was appropriate. Now, in all the current affairs he is handling, he will have to move to withdraw. 6. comm'r Jan 17, 2013 10:50 PM CST And submit to a full STD panel for his vulnerable victim’s protection. Even one positive result should merit a permanent disbarment. 7. Goldcoaster Jan 18, 2013 5:43 AM CST Not surprising. I’m sure one of his excuses was that she wasn’t the opposing party or opposing counsel. I wonder what his hourly rate was—another one of the matrimonial bar’s rockstars? Some of those guys have astounding egos… 8. exradardan Jan 18, 2013 7:17 AM CST He should have stuck with filing briefs instead of dropping them. 9. B. McLeod Jan 18, 2013 7:25 AM CST At least he stands behind his work. 10. Ham Solo Jan 18, 2013 7:42 AM CST Isn’t it illegal in Minnessota to take money in exchange for sex? 11. Ghig Jan 18, 2013 7:53 AM CST B. Mcloud is a breath if fresh air 12. G. Hig Jan 18, 2013 7:54 AM CST Mcleod. Sorry. 13. Faulhaber Jan 18, 2013 8:05 AM CST Not exactly a new complaint. Who hasn’t heard about a client alleging they have been screwed by their lawyer?