Opinion ID: 1487866
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Faye Franklin

Text: Faye Franklin was represented by the Respondent in connection with a domestic relations matter from August 2002 through 2004. Throughout the representation, the Respondent acted inappropriately. The Respondent hugged and kissed Franklin on several occasions, and wanted Franklin to sit next to him on the couch in his office. While on the couch, the Respondent would stroke Franklin's hair. The Respondent wanted Franklin to put her head on his shoulder. On one occasion, the Respondent took Franklin's hand and forced her to touch him in his genital area (outside of his pants); he had an erection; he said, Let me show you how much I missed you or Let me show you how glad I am to see you. Franklin felt very uncomfortable with the Respondent's conduct. At times, Franklin felt that the Respondent acted aggressively to try to break me down, to break my spirit so that he could then comfort Franklin with hugs, kisses and touching. Franklin also felt that the Respondent purposely manipulated her. Franklin feared what would happen if I did not play the game. Rule 8.4(b) provides that [a] lawyer shall not commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects. 11 Del. C. ' 763(2) states that [a] person is guilty of sexual harassment when: ... (2) [t]he person suggests, solicits, requests, commands, importunes or otherwise attempts to induce another person to have sexual contact or sexual intercourse or unlawful sexual penetration with the actor, knowing that the actor is thereby likely to cause annoyance, offense or alarm to that person. Pursuant to 11 Del. C. ' 763, sexual harassment is an unclassified misdemeanor in the State of Delaware. 11 Del. C. ' 601(a)(1) states that [a] person is guilty of offensive touching when the person: (1) [i]ntentionally touches another person either with a member of his or her body or with any instrument, knowing that the person is thereby likely to cause offense or alarm to such other person. Pursuant to 11 Del. C. '601(c), any violation of paragraph (a)(1) is an unclassified misdemeanor, unless the victim falls within one of several specified categories. By engaging in the course of conduct described herein with Franklin, the Respondent sexually harassed and offensively touched Franklin in violation of Rule 8.4(b). (Count 70)