An attorney discipline judge in California has rejected a request from ex-Trump election lawyer John Eastman to reactivate his law license following her recent recommendation that he be disbarred, rendering him unable to practice law for now.
Eastman, known for devising a multi-step plan to overturn the 2020 election and being part of efforts to appoint fake electors in several states, expressed his desire to continue practicing law to represent clients and cover his legal expenses as he faces criminal charges related to the 2020 election.
Judge Yvette Roland, overseeing state bar proceedings in California, recommended in March that Eastman be disbarred for his election subversion efforts, resulting in an immediate revocation of his license while ethics proceedings continue.
The California Supreme Court will have the final say on whether to endorse or reject Roland’s recommendation to disbar Eastman, marking a significant development in holding lawyers accountable for promoting false election fraud theories on behalf of former President Donald Trump.
In her opinion recommending disbarment, Roland criticized Eastman for failing to uphold honesty, breaching ethical obligations by presenting falsehoods to support his legal arguments, and exhibiting gross negligence by spreading misinformation about the 2020 election without proper verification.
Despite Eastman's plea to reactivate his license to represent Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene in a political speech dispute and cover his legal costs, Roland denied his request, citing concerns about public safety and Eastman's potential threat to the public.
Roland emphasized that disbarment was necessary to protect the public, highlighting Eastman's deceptive and misleading claims in legal documents and public forums regarding the 2020 presidential election and Vice President Mike Pence's authority.
Eastman faces charges in the Georgia election subversion case alongside Trump and others, pleading not guilty, and was recently indicted in Arizona in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election, along with several other Trump allies including Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani.
