It’s well know that online classifieds are not just used for selling cars and advertising spare bedrooms. Even social networking sites have had their ‘innocent’ intentions led astray by those wishing to meet more than friends via broadband. Some of SolicitR’s most popular posts come from the US online classifieds site Craigslist where a host of purported lawyers advertise their need for secretaries , PA’s , gold diggers and companionship . For the most part any respondent will be in little doubt as to the intention of the ads. No confusion, no problem and sometimes entertaining.

However, a more curious ad palcement has caused controversey recently; entitled, "Loop lawyers hiring secretary/legal assistant." It read as follows:

Loop law firm looking to hire am [sic] energetic woman for their open secretary/legal assistant position. Duties will include general secretarial work, some paralegal work and additional duties for two lawyers in the firm. No experience required, training will be provided. Generous annual salary and benefits will be provided, including medical, dental, life, disability, 401(k) etc. If interested, please send current resume and a few pictures along with a description of your physical features, including measurements. We look forward to meeting you.

As far as things went, it appeared to be fairly straightforward. The only notable point was that it was placed in "Adult Gigs" section of the classified advertisements. A clue perhaps. Controversey arose however when an unsuspecting repondent sent in the required details and recived the following reply:

As this is posted in the "adult gigs" section, in addition to the legal work, you would be required to have sexual interaction with me and my partner, sometimes together sometimes separate. This part of the job would require sexy dressing and flirtatious interaction with me and my partner, as well as sexual interaction. You will have to be comfortable doing this with us.

And if you think it can’t get any worse… Continued over the jump…

If you think you’re comfortable so far, please let me know and we can proceed with the process.

The next step is to set up an interview. When are you available to interview? I am free to interview today. Please let me know what your availability is.

Lastly, we’ve actually hired a couple of girls in the past for this position. But they have not been able to handle the sexual aspect of the job later. We have to be sure you’re comfortable with that aspect, because I don’t want you to do anything that you’re not comfortable with. So since that time, we’ve decided that as part of the interview process you’ll be required to perform for us sexually (i didn’t do this before with the other girls i hired, now i think i have to because they couldn’t handle it). Because that aspect is an integral part of the job, I think it’s necessary to see if you can do that, because it’ll predict future behavior of you being able to handle it when you have the job.

If you’re still okay with everything, let me know what you’re availability is and we can figure out a time for you to come in and interview. Let me know. Thanks for your interest.

Not surprisingly, the applicant complained to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which then opened an investigation. Even less surprisingly the applicant faces charges of bringing the profession into disrepute.

Via Legal Blog Watch