Rule 7.1 governs attorney advertisements. Attorney advertising may not contain a statement or claim that is false, deceptive or misleading, or that otherwise violates any Rule.
Even though paralegals do a lot of the administrative work within a firm, know the law, and work with clients, they are not lawyers. Paralegals cannot give legal advice, make decisions on behalf of clients, or represent clients in court as they are not licensed attorneys.
The establishment of the attorney-client relationship involves two elements: a person seeks advice or assistance from an attorney; and the attorney appears to give, agrees to give or gives the advice or assistance.
Canon 1 – A paralegal must not: (a) engage in, encourage, or contribute to any act which could constitute the unauthorized practice of law; (b) establish attorney-client relationships, set fees, give legal opinions or advice, or represent a client before a court or agency unless so authorized by that court or agency; ...
Professional Ethics: Most legal ethical codes strongly discourage or outright prohibit lawyers from engaging in romantic relationships with clients during representation. This is to maintain professional boundaries and ensure that the lawyer-client relationship is based solely on the client's legal needs.
They may conduct research, liaise with clients, and perform interviews, among other roles, but they cannot represent clients or offer them legal advice.
Canon 1 – A paralegal must not: (a) engage in, encourage, or contribute to any act which could constitute the unauthorized practice of law; (b) establish attorney-client relationships, set fees, give legal opinions or advice, or represent a client before a court or agency unless so authorized by that court or agency; ...
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a paralegal shall not do the following: (1) Provide legal advice. (2) Represent a client in court. (3) Select, explain, draft, or recommend the use of any legal document to or for any person other than the attorney who directs and supervises the paralegal.
In many instances, lawyers can and should become friends with their clients since this can have a solid impact on the services provided by the lawyer. In my own career, I have performed work for many people who were already friends of mine from childhood and beyond.
Answer: Rule 1.8(j) unequivocally prohibits a lawyer from having sexual relations with a client unless a consensual sexual relationship between them existed prior to the attorney-client relationship.