In general, pre-existing personal connections are accepted. According to Rule 1.8(j), "a lawyer shall not have sexual relations with a client unless a consensual connection arises between them at the time the client-lawyer relationship began." The purpose of this rule is to prevent undue influence over clients by lawyers who may seek to use their power for their own benefit. However, an exception to this rule exists when there is no significant delay in bringing matters before a tribunal. If a lawyer has a sexual relationship with a person at the time they enter into a contract dispute with that person, then the lawyer has acted improperly and should be disqualified from representing the person in the dispute. The same would be true if the person entered into a criminal charge with the lawyer after the relationship ended. Thus, lawyers should strive to maintain an independent professional relationship with their clients. A personal connection may lead some clients to trust their lawyer more readily than others and may also create an incentive for the lawyer to compromise their ethical standards to achieve a favorable result for their client. Furthermore, lawyers should refrain from having sexual relations with prospects or customers. This conduct violates the Rules of Professional Conduct that require lawyers to maintain the dignity and integrity of the legal profession and to conduct themselves at all times professionally.