Illinois attorney ethical rules are crystal clear that a lawyer can not have any romantic encounters with a client. Under Illinois law, it's unethical for an attorney to date, sleep with or whatever you want to call it with a client.The American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Responsibility prohibit such affairs between a lawyer and his clients. While maintaining client confidentiality is paramount, criminal defense attorneys are also dutybound to defend their clients zealously. You will not likely be in trouble, other than the hassle to get a new lawyer and potentially get a refund of some of your prepaid fees. Lawyers who want to date former clients should thus wait until the entire action is over before starting the relationship. Lawyers who want to date former clients should thus wait until the entire action is over before starting the relationship. When a lawyer wants to invoke attorneyclient privilege they must communicate their objection to disclosure in a particular way. Many thoughtful authorities point out that in lawyerclient sex the client never is truly consenting. Once a lawyer has taken you on as a client, they cannot divulge your secrets without your permission.