Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board v. Morrison
Supreme Court of Iowa
727 N.W.2d 115 (2007)
Attorney William Morrison (defendant) voluntarily reported to the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board (plaintiff) that he had a six-month consensual sexual relationship with a divorce client, after previously being admonished by the board for soliciting a romantic relationship with a different divorce client. Morrison cooperated fully, acknowledged the ethical violation, and the parties stipulated to the facts rather than holding a hearing; Morrison and the board jointly proposed a 60-day suspension, but the Grievance Commission recommended six months plus counseling, leaving the appropriate sanction for the court to decide.
Whether a 60-day suspension is an appropriate sanction for an attorney who had a consensual sexual relationship with a divorce client, cooperated fully with the disciplinary process, but had previously been admonished for soliciting a relationship with a different divorce client.