Hunter Biden has been disbarred in Connecticut after agreeing to a settlement with the state disciplinary office that found he violated attorney conduct rules. He acknowledged some attorney misconduct but did not admit to criminal guilt; he was previously disbarred in Washington, D.C., and had been convicted in a federal gun case before receiving a presidential pardon. The judge cited conduct involving dishonesty and referenced Biden's earlier disbarment.
Hunter Biden Disbarred in Connecticut After Agreement Over Attorney Misconduct
FILE - Hunter Biden listens while his father, President Joe Biden, speaks during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)
A judge in Waterbury, Connecticut, on Monday ordered the disbarment of Hunter Biden after he agreed to an arrangement with the state discipline office concluding he violated attorney conduct rules tied to complaints about his federal gun and tax matters. Biden consented to disbarment and acknowledged some attorney misconduct but did not admit to criminal wrongdoing; he had been pardoned last year by President Joe Biden and was previously disbarred in Washington, D.C.
Key Details
Under the agreement with the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Hunter Biden accepted disbarment rather than face a contested disciplinary hearing. He and his attorney, Ross Garber, participated remotely in a virtual proceeding before Judge Trial Referee Patrick L. Carroll III in Waterbury; Biden did not speak during the hearing.
In federal court in Delaware last year, Biden was convicted on three felonies related to a 2018 gun purchase; prosecutors said he lied on a federal form by denying illegal drug use or addiction. He also faced a California case alleging he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes; he agreed to plead to misdemeanor and felony counts shortly after jury selection was to begin.
Judge's Findings: The Connecticut judge concluded Biden violated multiple ethical rules, citing conduct "involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation." Court filings indicate Biden admitted to some, though not all, of the alleged misconduct. The judge also noted the prior Washington, D.C., disbarment.
One of the complainants, Paul Dorsey, told the court he objected to the settlement because Biden did not admit to criminal acts. Leanne Larson, an attorney for the disciplinary office, pointed to the presidential pardon as affecting the disciplinary resolution.
Hunter Biden was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1997, a year after graduating from Yale Law School.
What This Means
The disbarment removes Biden's ability to practice law in Connecticut and reinforces the disciplinary consequences that can follow professional misconduct findings, even when criminal liability is disputed or affected by a pardon.
