Attorney suspended for having sex with a client: Court warns it will 'strictly enforce' Rule 4-8.4(i).

Lawyers who exploit the attorney-client relationship for sexual purposes --

even at the client's suggestion -- can expect severe punishment from the Florida Supreme Court.

The court sent that message in a February 21 opinion overturning a referee's finding that a lawyer had not violated Bar Rule 4-8.4(i) when he agreed, at his client's suggestion, to accept sexual favors in lieu of a fee. The ruling came in Florida Bar v. Bryant, case nos. SC94965 and SC00-801.

The case involved one of two women charged with a violation of a municipal code regulating exotic dancers. One knew the attorney and had engaged at times in sexual relations with him. The second had no previous …