The California Supreme Court has disbarred lawyer John Eastman, a key figure in former President Donald Trump's efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. The court denied petitions for review from both Eastman and the State Bar of California, upholding lower court recommendations. Eastman must now notify clients and pay sanctions.
The California Supreme Court issued a brief order on Wednesday denying petitions for review filed last September by John Eastman and the State Bar of California. This decision effectively disbars Eastman, a former Chapman University School of Law professor and architect of strategies outlined in memos aimed at overturning Joe Biden's 2020 electoral college victory. The court stated: 'The petitions for review are denied. The court orders that John Charles Eastman (Respondent), State Bar Number 193726, is disbarred from the practice of law in California and that Respondent's name is stricken from the roll of attorneys.' Lower courts had recommended disbarment after finding ethical violations in Eastman's election-related actions, applying strict scrutiny to his statements as core political speech. The State Bar had argued for a different standard, but the supreme court endorsed the lower rulings without addressing harm beyond impacts on the public, courts, and legal profession. Eastman now faces requirements to notify clients, co-counsel, and others within specified timelines, refund unearned retainers, and pay $5,000 in sanctions to the State Bar's Client Security Fund, plus costs. Eastman's attorney, Randall A. Miller, responded: 'The California Supreme Court has allowed to stand a State Bar Court recommendation that we contend departs from long-standing United States Supreme Court precedent protecting First Amendment rights... We will seek review in the Supreme Court.' State Bar Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona welcomed the order, stating it affirms that attorneys must uphold honesty and the rule of law, regardless of their client.
