Cecily Zamora
As of May 2025, Rudy Giuliani's law license has been suspended in both New York and Washington, D.C. The suspension was due to his role in promoting falsehoods in court in an attempt to help his former client, Donald Trump, get re-elected in 2020. Giuliani's license was first suspended in New York, and other states typically follow the disciplinary actions of other states under Rule 22 on reciprocal discipline. This means that Giuliani's ability to practice law in other states is likely impacted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Rudy Giuliani have an active law license in New York? | No, his license was suspended in June 2021. |
| Does Rudy Giuliani have an active law license in Washington D.C.? | No, his license was suspended in July 2021. |
| Does Rudy Giuliani have an active law license anywhere? | No, as of May 2025, his licenses are suspended in New York and Washington D.C. |
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What You'll Learn
Rudy Giuliani's law license suspension in New York
On June 24, 2021, an appeals court in New York suspended Rudy Giuliani from practising law in the state. The ruling stated that Giuliani had made false statements while trying to get courts to overturn Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election. The court agreed with an attorney disciplinary committee that Giuliani had violated professional conduct rules by promoting theories that the election was stolen through fraud.
The ruling prevents Giuliani from representing clients as a lawyer. It was decided that the suspension should be immediate, despite incomplete disciplinary proceedings, because Giuliani posed an "immediate threat" to the public. The court wrote that " [t]he seriousness of respondent’s uncontroverted misconduct cannot be overstated [...] This country is being torn apart by continued attacks on the legitimacy of the 2020 election and of our current president, Joseph R. Biden."
In response to the suspension, Trump called it a politically motivated "witch hunt", while Giuliani himself said it was a "disgrace". Giuliani's law license had already been suspended by the District of Columbia for non-payment of fees. Following the New York suspension, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals suspended Giuliani from practising in D.C. courts until the discipline procedures in New York are complete.
The suspension of Giuliani's law license in his home state may amount to a national suspension. According to Rule 22 on reciprocal discipline, states typically mirror the disciplinary actions of other states. As such, there may be few places, if any, where Giuliani can practice law or appear in court on behalf of clients while his New York license is suspended.
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Suspension in Washington, D.C
On June 24, 2021, an appeals court suspended Rudy Giuliani from practising law in New York. The ruling was made on the grounds that Giuliani had made false statements in an attempt to overturn Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential race.
The suspension in Washington, D.C., was triggered automatically by Giuliani's suspension from practising law in New York. The District of Columbia's highest court, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, suspended Giuliani from practising law in Washington, pending disciplinary proceedings in New York. Giuliani's New York suspension was temporary, pending the outcome of a full formal disciplinary hearing.
Giuliani's Washington, D.C., suspension was also due to his false and misleading statements about the election loss of former President Donald Trump. Giuliani's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, did not immediately return a request for comment. Giuliani himself has claimed he did not knowingly make false statements.
Giuliani's suspension in Washington, D.C., is part of a series of legal battles that he is currently facing. He is under scrutiny from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was the subject of a search warrant in April 2021 surrounding his involvement with Ukraine and the Hunter Biden scandal. He is also one of the targets of a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems.
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Giuliani's false statements
In 2023, Rudy Giuliani conceded that he had made false public statements claiming that two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, committed ballot fraud during the 2020 presidential race. Giuliani and former President Trump made these false allegations in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. Giuliani's false statements led to a defamation lawsuit filed by Freeman and Moss, who suffered harm and received hateful messages due to the false accusations.
Giuliani initially tried to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that his statements were protected by the First Amendment. However, the court rejected his request, and the lawsuit proceeded. Giuliani was also facing potential sanctions for allegedly failing to preserve relevant electronic evidence. In July 2023, Giuliani acknowledged in a court filing that his statements were false but disputed causing any damage to Freeman or Moss. This distinction is crucial in defamation cases, as plaintiffs must prove both the falsity of the statements and the resulting harm.
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Giuliani's ability to practice law elsewhere
Rudy Giuliani's ability to practice law hangs in the balance in several states. Giuliani's law license has been suspended in New York and Washington, D.C. The suspension was a result of his involvement in spreading false statements and conspiracy theories about the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election results, in an attempt to overturn them. An appeals court in New York deemed his actions an immediate threat to the public and a violation of professional conduct rules.
The suspension in New York effectively prevents him from representing clients as a lawyer in the state. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals followed suit, suspending him from practicing in D.C. courts until the disciplinary procedures in New York are resolved. This decision was based on the district's reciprocal discipline rule, which requires that disciplinary actions taken in one state are mirrored in another.
The suspension of his license in these states significantly limits Giuliani's ability to practice law elsewhere. According to Rule 22 on reciprocal discipline, modeled on American Bar Association recommendations, states typically follow the disciplinary actions of other states. This means that other states may also take steps to suspend Giuliani's license, making it difficult for him to practice law or appear in court on behalf of clients.
However, it is important to note that lawyers do not always need a law license in a state to represent clients in court. They can file a motion, known as pro hac vice, requesting permission to participate in a specific case. Giuliani has previously been granted such permission despite his license suspension. Nevertheless, with an increasing number of jurisdictions taking action against him and the serious nature of the misconduct findings, Giuliani's options to practice law elsewhere may become increasingly limited.
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Giuliani's response to the suspension
On June 24, 2021, an appeals court suspended Rudy Giuliani from practicing law in New York. The suspension was due to Giuliani making false statements while trying to get courts to overturn Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential race. The court ruled that Giuliani had violated professional conduct rules by promoting theories that the election was stolen through fraud.
In response to the suspension, Giuliani appeared on his afternoon radio show, where he called the court's decision a "'disgrace'". He claimed that the ruling was based on hearsay and could have been written by the Democratic National Committee. Giuliani's lawyer, Robert J. Costello, also issued a statement, saying that it "appears that Mayor Giuliani is alleged to be co-conspirator No. 1" in the House Select Committee's investigation into the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Giuliani faced significant backlash for his role in promoting election fraud conspiracy theories, with the court stating that his actions had caused an immediate threat to the public. The court wrote, "False statements intended to foment a loss of confidence in our elections and resulting loss of confidence in government generally damage the proper functioning of a free society."
Despite the suspension, Giuliani is still allowed to work as a lobbyist or security consultant. However, legal experts predict that he will likely be unable to practice law in jurisdictions beyond New York as well. The suspension has also brought further scrutiny onto Giuliani, as federal prosecutors investigate his interactions with figures in Ukraine and his potential involvement in inciting the Capitol riot.
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Frequently asked questions
No. An appeals court suspended Giuliani from practicing law in New York on June 24, 2021. The suspension was due to his false statements while trying to get courts to overturn Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential race.
No. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals suspended Giuliani from practicing law in D.C. in July 2021, pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures in New York.
It is unlikely that Giuliani can practice law anywhere in the U.S. While lawyers don't necessarily need a license in a state to represent clients in court, they must have a clean disciplinary record. Giuliani's suspension in New York and Washington, D.C. makes it difficult for him to practice law in other states.
