On Friday, July 21, 2023, the Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint against attorney Vincent A. Dugan Jr. before the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio for inappropriate conduct involving the solicitation of sexual activity from a client.

The case is entitled “Disciplinary Counsel v. Vincent A. Dugan Jr.,” with case no. 2023-023.

The charges cited Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct 1.8(j) which states:

Prohibiting a lawyer from soliciting or engaging in sexual activity with a client unless a consensual sexual relationship existed between them when the client-lawyer relationship commenced.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

Allegedly, while providing legal representation in a pro bono divorce case, Dugan engaged in misconduct by soliciting sexual activity from the client.

The filing states:

“At 12:05 a.m., the respondent texted Jillian, “Hmmmm pussy is my favorite food though baby.” Jillian attempted to redirect the conversation by texting the respondent a picture of the donut shop; however, at 12:11 a.m., the respondent replied, “What is your favorite position?” Having received no response from Jillian, at 12:16 a.m., the respondent texted Jillian, ‘c?” Again, having received no response from Jillian, at 12:20 a.m., the respondent texted Jillian, “I like intimate positions but cowgirl is my favorite. do you know why?” At 12:21 a.m., Jillian texted the respondent, “Why is that?”

The filing continues:

“At 12:23 a.m., the respondent texted Jillian, “I love to French kiss and I can continue to kiss you; I can feel suck on lick around and gently bite those succulent nipples; I can feel your ass and asshole and I can rub your clit while you ride me.” At 12:37 a.m., the respondent texted Jillian, do a lot of foreplay and I love to eat pussy baby.” Jillian did not reply to the respondent’s 12:37 a.m. text, and at I:06 a.m., the respondent texted Jillian, “Good night.” At 1:16 a.m., Jillian replied, “Good night.”

The filing further states:

“Jillian was uncomfortable with the sexual nature of respondent’s August 24, 2022 texts and the other text messages mentioned in this complaint; however, she continued with respondent’s representation because he was representing her on a pro bono basis, and she was afraid that she would not be able to secure other representation if she terminated respondent or if he withdrew from her representation.”

The filing additionally notes:

“During the evening of September 2, 2022, the respondent and Jillian texted each other about the events of the day. During the conversation, at 10:40 p.m., the respondent texted Jillian that he was “Really horny tonight.” On September 9, 2022, at 7:44 p.m., Jillian texted the respondent a photo that she believed was relevant to her allegations of adultery against Joseph. Jillian told the respondent, “Here is the picture of the hickey he come home from work with he tried to tell me it was a bruise.” In response to the photo, at 7:45 p.m., the respondent texted Jillian, “Bull,” and “Come over and let’s fuck.”

Given the aforementioned allegations, the Disciplinary Counsel urged the Board of Professional Conduct to impose appropriate sanctions on Dugan.

The Conclusion states:

“Relator requests that respondent be found in violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct and be sanctioned accordingly.”

Mr. Dugan Jr. practices in Columbus, Ohio. He is licensed in Ohio, with license no. 0025982. His info can be found on lawyersjustia.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.