Opinion ID: 1614947
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: taking advantage of client's vulnerability

Text: The record shows that K.J. was particularly vulnerable at the time Denton solicited a sexual relationship with her. K.J. was in the midst of a divorce which involved a custody battle for her children. Although K.J. was awarded temporary custody, she was ordered to move out of the marital home. Denton was aware of K.J.'s psychological state. When questioned about her problems, Denton stated that there were numerous problems, actually. I do believe that [her husband] was browbeating her, that he was trying to drive her nuts, and as distraught as she was getting, he was having a certain amount of success. Denton assessed K.J. as being very, very nervous  or appeared to be very nervous. She's a very high strung person, from all I can tell. In fact, Denton stated that sometime during the divorce proceedings, he recommended that K.J. seek professional help. Furthermore, Denton encouraged K.J. to confide in him, and she did so, relying on him for support during this time. When Denton began making sexual advances, K.J. did not object. When asked why, she testified: I don't know what was going on in my mind. I was so confused by everything that was going on. For a long period of time it kind of felt like being in a fog. .... ... I don't know that I really understood what I was getting myself into. What I felt is this man is here for me, he takes the time to listen to me and my problems with [my husband]. He's willing to give me hugs, he's a caring person. It is obvious that Denton deliberately took advantage of K.J.'s vulnerability and abused the attorney-client relationship for his own personal gratification. By exploiting the professional relationship, Denton caused further psychological harm to a vulnerable client. At the time of K.J.'s testimony in front of the Committee, she was still seeing a psychologist because of her relationship with Denton, among other things. Denton's abuse of the attorney-client relationship in K.J.'s case demonstrated that he placed his interest in sexual gratification above that of his client's best interests. K.J. had the right to expect adequate legal representation when she hired Denton, not exploitation of the attorney-client relationship and a further violation of her trust.