A rule prohibiting lawyer-client sexting is currently being proposed in the state of Pennsylvania. The disciplinary system of this state has seen an increase in investigations surrounding sexting or similar acts as part of “sex with clients” claims. These communications have increasingly taken precedence over claims of actual physical relationships, as per details mentioned in board’s explanatory report.
Traditional ethical guidelines and laws governing communication and relations between lawyers and their clients have been thrown into question due to the complexities introduced by digital communications. While the classic stipulations regarding sexual relations with clients are usually clear, the addition of the digital sphere prompts a need to clarify the rules.
Should this rule be implemented, lawyers in Pennsylvania would be explicitly barred from sending sexually explicit texts or engaging in similar forms of communication with their clients. The measure proposes to add a layer of protection for clients, and further define the boundary between professional and personal interactions.
For more detailed information on this development, you can head over to The Legal Intelligencer’s coverage on the issue.