Ethics
Lawyer who represents intercourse abuse victims is suspended for relationship with ‘susceptible shopper’
A Philadelphia lawyer who represents victims of sexual abuse and assault has obtained a minimal one-year suspension for a private relationship with an Australian shopper pursuing allegations towards the Church of Scientology. (Picture from Shutterstock)
A Philadelphia lawyer who represents victims of sexual abuse and assault has obtained a minimal one-year suspension for a private relationship with an Australian shopper pursuing allegations towards the Church of Scientology.
In a Could 23 order, the Pennsylvania Supreme Courtroom suspended lawyer Brian Dooley Kent of Philadelphia for 3 years, with two years stayed so long as he meets circumstances that embody a counseling requirement.
In line with a joint petition for self-discipline on consent, Kent engaged in “private, flirtatious and sexually suggestive” communications with the shopper that culminated in bodily touching. The conduct occurred throughout Kent’s investigation of the shopper’s claims.
Kent’s conduct “had a considerable detrimental influence on his shopper and adversely affected the attorney-client relationship,” the joint petition mentioned.
Kent is a former sex-crimes prosecutor and a “once-prominent” lawyer who represented victims in “high-profile sexual abuse instances,” the Philadelphia Inquirer experiences (through MSN). His shoppers included individuals who mentioned they have been sexually abused as youths by Jerry Sandusky, a former Pennsylvania State College assistant soccer coach, in keeping with the Philadelphia Inquirer and PhillyMag.com.
Kent mentioned he was motivated to symbolize sexual assault victims as a result of he was sexually abused by a priest when he was within the fourth and fifth grades, in keeping with a joint petition for self-discipline on consent.
Kent and the shopper engaged in sexual touching throughout journeys to Los Angeles in June 2019 and October 2019 in reference to the case, the joint petition mentioned. On the primary go to, the shopper provided Kent an “Indian head therapeutic massage” to assist with a respiratory virus. The second time, she promised a “spa expertise.”
Kent later instructed the shopper that their relationship needed to stay skilled, however she continued to ship him messages expressing her love and the way his modified communications made it really feel like her coronary heart “was smashed into 1,000,000 items.” He didn’t drop the case till he instructed the shopper in January 2021 that his legislation agency couldn’t carry a declare on her behalf, the petition mentioned.
The character of Kent’s apply “as an advocate for victims of abuse positioned him ready of belief with notably susceptible shoppers,” the joint petition mentioned. “By advantage of his repute and place, he gained the belief of a susceptible shopper after which abused that belief.”
Kent had no different file of self-discipline since he grew to become a Pennsylvania lawyer in 2004. He additionally confirmed regret for his actions.
The Philadelphia Inquirer printed an announcement by Kent’s lawyer, Ellen Brotman. She mentioned Kent is “deeply remorseful for the hurt he brought on to his shopper, his household and to the authorized occupation.”
“For the previous a number of years, he has dedicated to turning into a greater particular person, mother or father, partner and lawyer,” Brotman mentioned. “He’s grateful for the assist he has obtained from household, mates and colleagues. He’ll proceed this therapeutic course of and abide by all of the circumstances of his probation.”
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