Disbarment is one of the most severe penalties a lawyer can face, marking the end of a legal career. While some lawyers are disbarred early in their careers, others have spent decades building their professional reputations before their actions led to such a drastic consequence. Here, we explore the stories of the top 10 lawyers who faced disbarment after long or highly public legal careers, shedding light on the misconduct that led to their downfall.
Rudy Giuliani
Date Disbarred: 2024
Rudy Giuliani, once a respected U.S. Attorney and Mayor of New York City, faced disbarment after being accused of spreading false claims of voter fraud related to the 2020 Presidential Election. His involvement in efforts to overturn the results of the election, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, led to his disbarment in both New York and Washington, D.C. Despite his significant career, his legal missteps during this period overshadowed his earlier successes.
F. Lee Bailey
Date Disbarred: 2001
Known for representing high-profile clients such as O.J. Simpson and the Boston Strangler, F. Lee Bailey was disbarred for ethical violations while defending Claude Duboc. His conduct during the case was deemed unethical, leading to his disbarment in Florida, and he later faced similar challenges in Massachusetts. Despite applying for reinstatement, his attempts have been unsuccessful.
Michael Cohen
Date Disbarred: 2019
Once President Donald Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen was disbarred after pleading guilty to multiple crimes, including lying to Congress and violating campaign finance laws. His disbarment was the consequence of his involvement in the Stormy Daniels hush-money scandal, among other illegal activities.
Paul Bergrin
Date Disbarred: 2016
A once-prominent defense attorney in New Jersey, Paul Bergrin's career ended after he was convicted of serious crimes, including witness murder conspiracy. His involvement in a range of criminal activities led to his disbarment and a lengthy prison sentence.
Mark Ciavarella
Date Disbarred: 2009
A former judge in Pennsylvania, Mark Ciavarella was disbarred after his involvement in the "Kids for Cash" scandal, where he sentenced juvenile offenders to private detention facilities in exchange for kickbacks. His actions were condemned as a severe breach of legal ethics, leading to his disbarment.
Roy Cohn
Date Disbarred: 1986
Roy Cohn, once a prominent lawyer and political figure, was disbarred for unethical conduct, including misappropriating clients' funds and pressuring a client to change a will. Cohn’s career, marked by his role as Senator Joseph McCarthy’s right-hand man during the Red Scare, ended in disgrace after his disbarment.
Kathleen Kane
Date Disbarred: 2019
Kathleen Kane, the former Attorney General of Pennsylvania, was disbarred following a conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice. She was accused of leaking confidential information to the press to retaliate against her political enemies. Despite a promising political career, her illegal actions resulted in the revocation of her law license.
Thomas J. Capano
Date Disbarred: 2001
Thomas Capano, a well-known Delaware attorney, was disbarred after being convicted of the murder of his mistress, Anne Marie Fahey. His legal career was abruptly ended by his arrest and conviction, which led to a life sentence in prison.
Jack Thompson
Date Disbarred: 2008
Jack Thompson, a lawyer known for his controversial crusade against video games, was disbarred after being found guilty of professional misconduct. His aggressive tactics, including verbal harassment and unethical conduct, led to his disbarment in Florida.
Lynne Stewart
Date Disbarred: 2005
Lynne Stewart, a civil rights lawyer, was disbarred after being convicted of aiding terrorists by providing legal assistance to her client, who was a convicted member of a terrorist organization. Her conviction and subsequent disbarment drew significant public attention to the intersection of legal ethics and national security concerns.
While these individuals once held prominent positions in the legal field, their stories serve as a reminder that no one is beyond accountability. Disbarment not only ends a legal career but also tarnishes the public trust that is essential to the legal profession.
The cases above show that ethical violations, misconduct, and illegal activities can have far-reaching consequences, regardless of one’s professional standing or accomplishments. It’s important to remember that maintaining the integrity of the legal profession is paramount, and even the most established lawyers can fall from grace due to unethical behavior.
