On Thursday, March 2, 2023, the Supreme Court of the State of Florida ordered the 60-day suspension of Jacksonville attorney Jonathan Clement Zisser for having a sexual relationship with his client.

The case is entitled ‘The Florida Bar v. Jonathan Clement Zisser,’ under The Florida Bar File No. 2022-00,010(4C).

The charges cited Zisser’s violation of 4-8.4(a), 4-8.4(d), and 4-8.4(i) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, which provide:

A lawyer shall not violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another.

A lawyer shall not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

A lawyer shall not engage in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.

A lawyer shall not engage in sexual conduct with a client or a representative of a client that exploits or adversely affects the interests of the client or the lawyer-client relationship.

According to the Complaint, Zisser was hired as the client’s victim advocate to represent her in both a divorce proceeding and a criminal domestic abuse case. Zisser started a sexual relationship with the client while they were working together. When the client’s husband revealed their relationship, Zisser ceased to represent the client.

The Report of Referee recommended that Zisser be found guilty of the rules of professional conduct as charged and be disciplined by the imposition of a 60-day suspension.

With the foregoing facts and discussions, the court ruled against Zisser.

The order reads:

“The uncontested report of the referee is approved and respondent is suspended from the practice of law for sixty days, effective thirty days from the date of this order so that respondent can close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients. If respondent notifies this Court in writing that he is no longer practicing and does not need the thirty days to protect existing clients, this Court will enter an order making the suspension effective immediately..”

Zisser was also ordered to pay the amount of $1,874.25.00 as a recovery of costs incurred by The Florida Bar.

Mr. Jonathan attended Vermont Law School, graduating in 2000. He has been licensed in Florida. His info can be found on Avvo.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.