Ex-Trump lawyer and former law school dean who suggested Mike Pence interfere in the election should lose his … – Fortune
A judge has recommended that conservative attorney John Eastman lose his Californialaw licenseover his efforts to keep former President Donald Trump in power after the 2020 election.
Eastman, a former law school dean, faces 11 disciplinary charges in the state bar court stemming from his development of a legal strategy to have then-Vice President Mike Pence interfere with the certification of President Joe Bidens victory.
State Bar Court of California Judge Yvette Rolands recommendation, issued Wednesday, now goes to the California Supreme Court for a final ruling on whether he should be disbarred. Eastman can appeal the top courts decision.
Eastmans attorney, Randall A. Miller, said in an email that he and his client were digesting the decision and would have a more complete statement on the judges decision later.
The California State Bar is a regulatory agency and the only court system in the U.S. that is dedicated to attorney discipline.
Eastman separately faces criminal charges in Georgia in the caseaccusing Trump and 18 alliesof conspiring to overturn the Republicans loss in the state. Eastman, who has pleaded not guilty, has argued he was merely doing his job as Trumps attorney when he challenged the results of the 2020 election. He has denounced the case as targeting attorneys for their zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients.
Hes also one of theunnamed co-conspiratorsin theseparate 2020 election interference casebrought by special counsel Jack Smith, but Eastman is not charged in the federal case.
The State Bar of California alleged that Eastmanviolated the states business and professions codeby making false and misleading statements that constitute acts of moral turpitude, dishonesty, and corruption. In doing so, the agency says he violated this duty in furtherance of an attempt to usurp the will of the American people and overturn election results for the highest office in the land an egregious and unprecedented attack on our democracy.
In her decision, Roland wrote: In view of the circumstances surrounding Eastmans misconduct and balancing the aggravation and mitigation, the court recommends that Eastman be disbarred.
Eastman was a close adviser to Trump in the run-up to theJan. 6, 2021, attackon the U.S. Capitol. He wrote a memo laying out a plan for Pence to reject legitimate electoral votes for Biden while presiding over the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 in order to keep Trump in the White House.
Prosecutors seeking tostrip Eastman of his law licensedepicted him as a Trump enabler who fabricated a baseless theory and made false claims of fraud in hopes of overturning the results of the election.
Eastmans attorney countered that his client never intended to steal the election but was considering ways to delay electoral vote counting so states could investigate allegations of voting improprieties. Trumps claims of fraud were roundly rejected by courts, including by judges Trump appointed.
The judge wasnt persuaded by Eastmans claim that his actions amounted to no more than a dedicated representation of Trump.
It is true that an attorney has a duty to engage in zealous advocacy on behalf of a client, Roland wrote. However, Eastmans inaccurate assertions were lies that cannot be justified as zealous advocacy. Eastman failed to uphold his primary duty of honesty and breached his ethical obligations by presenting falsehoods to bolster his legal arguments. Finally, the court notes that acts of moral turpitude are a departure from professional norms and are unequivocally outside the realm of protection afforded by the First Amendment and the obligation of vigorous advocacy.
The States United Democracy Center, which filed an early ethics complaint against Eastman, cheered the judges decision.
This is a crucial victory in the effort to hold accountable those who tried to overturn the 2020 election. After hearing from almost two dozen witnesses over a 35-day trial, the court found that John Eastman violated his ethical duties to uphold the constitution, said Christine P. Sun, a senior vice president for the nonprofit. This decision sends an unmistakable message: No one is above the law not presidents, and not their lawyers.
Eastman has been a member of the California Bar since 1997, according to its website. He was a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and a founding director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, a law firm affiliated with the Claremont Institute. He ran for California attorney general in 2010, finishing second in the Republican primary.
Eastman was dean of Chapman University law school in Southern California from 2007 to 2010 and was a professor at the schoolwhen he retired in 2021after more than 160 faculty members signed a letter calling for the university to take action against him.
See more here:
Ex-Trump lawyer and former law school dean who suggested Mike Pence interfere in the election should lose his ... - Fortune
- Mike Pence urges Trump to 'release all the files' on Jeffrey Epstein - USA Today - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - The Independent - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence calls for the release of the Epstein files: 'I've always believed in transparency' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - Yahoo - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence says Trump "starting to realize Putin doesn't want peace" - CBS News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has a message for Donald Trump about Jeffrey Epstein: 'Release all the files' - South Bend Tribune - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence makes stunning demand of Trump admin: The time has come - NJ.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has a message for Donald Trump about Jeffrey Epstein: 'Release all the files' - Yahoo - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence says the time has come for Trump to release the Epstein files - Global News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says It Was Tariffs On Tea That Led To The American Revolution, Reiterates Only Congress Can Impose Such Levies - Benzinga - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - MSN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Firing Line with Margaret Hoover kicks off eighth season on PBS with Mike Pence - PR Newswire - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says Trump's Tariff Escalations With US Allies Are Like 'Dismissing Your Front Line In A Football Game' - Benzinga - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- 'Jeopardizes All Of It': Ex-Mike Pence Aide Knocks Trump Over These 'Confusing' Moves - HuffPost - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- JD Vance Wonders If Other VPs Had This Much Excitement Social Media Says, Ask Mike Pence - Yahoo News Singapore - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- "My Respect For VP Pence Continues To Grow": People Are Applauding Mike Pence For Writing A Letter To A January 6 Rioter Who Refused Trump's... - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- 'Shows your commitment to rule of law': Trump's ex-VP Mike Pence applauds woman who refused pardon for Ja - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- People Can't Believe They Actually Agree With Mike Pence After He Wrote A Letter To A Jan 6 Rioter - BuzzFeed - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence writes letter to Jan 6 rioter praising her for refusing to take Trumps pardon - MSN - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence reveals whether he plans to run in 2028 - Yahoo - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence parts ways with Trump on tariff policy - WRAL.com - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar - NBC News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence reveals whether he plans to run in 2028 - The Independent - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence warns of risk of Trump accepting a plane from nation linked to Hamas - The Independent - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence ramps up Trump disapproval with 13 words slamming overseas trip - The Mirror US - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Would former VP Mike Pence ever run for office again? Here's what he said - IndyStar - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Sounds Terror Alert on Trumps Free Plane - The Daily Beast - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- How Mike Pence says he came to the conclusion he should part ways with Trump - MSN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar - Straight Arrow News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Trump's Middle East Trip Draws Rare Praise From Mike Pence As 'Very Successful' For US Economy Amid 'Historic' Boeing Deal: 'That'll Really Support... - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence says Trump tariffs were the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history - MSN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says This Trump Policy Could Kill The American Dream - HuffPost - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence receives award for defending democracy from Trump without mentioning his name - MSN - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence urges President Trump and congressional Republicans not to raise taxes on wealthy Americans - Fox News - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence rebukes Trump over tariffs and wavering support for Ukraine - The Guardian - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Finally Goes Scorched Earth on Trump and His Agenda - The Daily Beast - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence honored by Kennedy family in receiving the JFK 'Profile in Courage Award' - Fox News - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence: Keeping toys affordable is part of the American dream - CNN - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence eloquently carves up Trump and MAGA with the precision of a surgeon - NJ.com - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Is Too Scared to Mention Trump While Picking Up Courage Award - The Daily Beast - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence speaks out about January 6 Capitol attacks while receiving the JFK Profile in Courage Award - Fast Company - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- EDITORIAL | Profile in Courage: Mike Pence stood tall in defense of the Constitution - Texarkana Gazette - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence issues damning 7-word assessment as he turns on Trump in bombshell interview - Irish Star - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Pushes Back on Trump's Assertion That Young Girls Only Need '2 or 3' Dolls: 'Really Part of the American Dream' - Latin Times - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- 'America's best days yet to come...,' Mike Pence quotes JFK as he received Profile in Courage Award - The Economic Times - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Rejects Trumps Tariffs: They Will Hurt the Economy and Consumers - La Voce di New York - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Opinion | Mike Pence: What the 47th President Can Learn From the 45th - WSJ - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has message for Trump just days after ripping the president and angering MAGA - PennLive.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Former US VP Mike Pence: Providing Ukraine with means to defend itself is an imperative for the entire West - All Israel News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Reacts to Trump's Pivot on Tariffs - MSN - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK Profile in Courage Award for actions during January 6 insurrection - CBS News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has spent the week making Trump fans and the MAGA world mad - PennLive.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- And the JFK Library Profile in Courage Award goes to: Former VP Mike Pence - MassLive - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to get JFK Profile in Courage Award for certification of 2020 election - The Independent - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK profile in courage - news8000.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to Receive JFK Profile in Courage Award - The Well News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to get JFK Profile in Courage Award for certification of 2020 election - MSN - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK Profile in Courage Award - Irish Star - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Former US VP Mike Pence: Like Israel, the US should give Taiwan 'the ability to defend herself by herself' - All Israel News - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, as Vice President Mike... - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- In Trumps Washington, Mike Pence Is Odd Man Out - The Dispatch - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- People Are Genuinely Stunned They Agree With Mike Pence's Ukraine Tweet - Yahoo - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence aims to be 'constructive force' during Trump's second term while willing to challenge him - Fox News - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - The Associated Press - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes President Trump for saying Ukraine started war with Russia - IndyStar - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence lashes out, but most Republicans mum as Trump savages Ukraine and Zelensky - The Independent - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - Niagara Gazette - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence lashes out schools Trump on who started the Ukraine-Russia war - Boing Boing - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- All those to speak out against Donald Trump as Mike Pence rallies against former boss - Evening Standard - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump - Mon Valley Independent - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Incensed Mike Pence Slaps Down Trump Over His Sucking Up to Putin - MSN - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - LPHeraldDispatch.com - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - WPLG Local 10 - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - HubcitySPOKES.com - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - Oil City Derrick - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Revives Trump Tirades Against RFK Jr. in New Ad - The Daily Beast - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Shares Brutal Video Montage of Trumps Own Words on RFK Jr. - The New Republic - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Takes Aim at Donald Trump: 'Deviated From This Record' - Newsweek - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Shares Brutal Video Montage of Trumps Own Words on RFK Jr. - Yahoo! Voices - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Opinion | Mike Pence Hits the Hong Kong Target - The Wall Street Journal - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]