Orange, California – An attorney discipline judge in Orange, California, has recommended the disbarment of John Eastman, the former Trump election lawyer. The judgment was released on Wednesday, signaling the end of Eastman’s legal career in a matter of days due to the court’s decision to revoke his license.
The decision by Judge Yvette Roland follows a comprehensive trial that examined Eastman’s actions in leading efforts to challenge Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. The recommendation now rests with the California Supreme Court for endorsement or rejection, offering Eastman the opportunity to appeal the ruling.
Roland criticized Eastman for failing to uphold honesty and ethical obligations by presenting falsehoods to support his legal arguments, citing gross negligence in spreading false information about the 2020 election without proper investigation or verification.
The judge also dismissed Eastman’s claims of belief in election fraud lies, highlighting the severity of his actions that misled others and contributed to the erosion of credibility among lawyers who supported Trump post-election.
The State Bar of California accused Eastman of working with Trump to disrupt the transfer of power without any valid legal grounds, leading to a scheme targeting Vice President Mike Pence to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory during the Electoral College certification process.
Eastman’s lack of remorse and role in disseminating false information about voting further cemented the judge’s decision to revoke his license and impose a $10,000 fine as part of his sanctions. However, it was noted that while Eastman made misleading statements, there was no evidence linking his actions to the Capitol assault.
The ruling, considered a significant accountability milestone by the States United Democracy Center, underlines the gravity of disbarment as one of the most severe legal penalties an attorney can face. Eastman’s bar findings in California are separate from criminal charges he faces in Georgia related to his involvement in a 2020 election conspiracy allegedly led by Trump.
The disciplinary actions against Eastman echo similar scrutiny faced by other lawyers who supported Trump in his post-election legal battles, with proceedings underway against individuals like Jeffrey Clark and Rudy Giuliani. These disciplinary trials provide a glimpse into the legal maneuvers surrounding Trump’s election challenges, setting the stage for future criminal proceedings.