Thursday, April 16, 2026
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California Supreme Court Disbars Ex-Dean John Eastman
By a MetNews Staff Writer
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—AP In this undated file photo, attorney John Eastman stands outside the California State Bar Court in downtown Los Angeles. |
Former Chapman University School of Law Dean John Eastman, who served as President Donald Trump’s lawyer at the end of his first term and advised that the vice president could hold up certification of the 2020 presidential election results, will have no further law clients in California, having been disbarred yesterday.
The California Supreme Court said in an order:
“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.”
Eastman was ordered to “pay monetary sanctions to the State Bar of California Client Security Fund in the amount of $5,000” and costs were awarded to the State Bar.
State Bar’s Petition
In turning down Eastman’s bid for a rejection of the recommendation of disbarment, the high court also denied review to the State Bar which contested the finding that one of the 11 counts the Office of Chief Counsel charged was infirm: incitement of a riot. State Bar Court Judge Yvette D. Roland found the allegation unsupported, and the Review Department agreed, saying that Eastman’s words “establish that he made false and misleading statements, but in no way does he tell the crowd ‘to assault and breach the Capitol’ ” on Jan. 6, 2021.
Eastman spoke at a “Save America” rally at the Ellipse that preceded the storming of the Capitol but, Roland determined, was not an instigator of the riot.
She said in her 128-page 2024 decision that Eastman’s statements were “made with varying degrees of intent, were improperly aimed at casting doubt on the legitimate election results and support for the baseless claim that the presidency was stolen from his client—all while relying on his credentials as an attorney and constitutional scholar to lend credibility to his unfounded claims.”
Roland’s Opinion
Roland set forth in sustaining 10 of the counts:
“Most of his misconduct occurred squarely within the course and scope of Eastman’s representation of President Trump and culminated with a shared plan to obstruct the lawful function of the government.
“While attorneys have a duty to advocate zealously for their clients, they must do so within the bounds of ethical and legal constraints. Eastman’s actions transgressed those ethical limits by advocating, participating in and pursuing a strategy to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election that lacked evidentiary or legal support. Vigorous advocacy does not absolve Eastman of his professional responsibilities around honesty and upholding the rule of law. While his actions are mitigated by his many years of discipline-free practice, cooperation, and prior good character, his wrongdoing is substantially aggravated by his multiple offenses, lack of candor and indifference. Given the serious and extensive nature of Eastman’s unethical actions, the most severe available professional sanction is warranted to protect the public and preserve the public confidence in the legal system.”
Admitted in 1997
The former lawyer was admitted to the State Bar on Dec. 15, 1997. His law degree is from the University of Chicago.
Eastman served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and then-Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge J. Michael Luttig.
He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for state attorney general in 2010. In 1990, he failed in his bid for election to the House of Representatives.
Eastman on March 31 posted on X:
“California Supreme Court just announced that it will be considering my petition asking it to take my California Bar case and rejected the lawfare-induced disbarment recommendation from the California Bar Court. Keep the justices in your prayers for them to do the right thing.”
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