John Eastman, former lawyer for Trump, ineligible to practice law in California

 

The State Bar of California issued a press release today stating that President Trump's former lawyer John Charles Eastman remains on involuntary active status and cannot practice law in California.

"The State Bar Court’s Review Department today affirmed a March 2024 decision recommending disbarment of attorney John Eastman for his misconduct related to the 2020 presidential election."

State Bar of California Press Release:

The State Bar Court’s Review Department today affirmed a March 2024 decision recommending disbarment of attorney John Eastman for his misconduct related to the 2020 presidential election. In response to two separate review requests by Eastman and the Office of Chief Trial Counsel, the three-judge panel upheld findings that Eastman was culpable of 10 out of 11 charges, for his egregious and deceitful conduct. 

“Attorneys have a fundamental obligation to be truthful and uphold the rule of law,” said George Cardona. “John Eastman violated this obligation when, at the behest of his client, now-President Donald Trump, he engaged in a calculated campaign to falsely undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election, which then-candidate Donald Trump lost. In so doing, Mr. Eastman lied to courts, Vice President Michael Pence, and the American people. As the Review Department’s Opinion holds, for this conduct disbarment is both appropriate and necessary. This opinion serves as a powerful and timely reminder that whoever they are and whoever they represent, attorneys must remain true to the ethical rules that govern their conduct and respect the rule of law.”

Oral argument in the Matter of John Eastman, SBC-23-O-30029, occurred in State Bar Court in Los Angeles on March 19, 2025.

In March 2024, the State Bar’s Hearing Department found Eastman culpable of 10 of the 11 counts in which he was charged and recommended his disbarment.  

Mr. Eastman sought review (an appeal) of culpability on all 10 counts and the disbarment recommendation. The State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel sought review of the Hearing Department’s dismissal of count 11 and its rejection of any aggravation for significant harm. The Review decision left both outcomes unchanged.

OCTC or Eastman may seek further review from the California Supreme Court. 

While his disbarment recommendation remains in place, Mr. Eastman remains on involuntary inactive status and cannot practice law in California.