Keith Mack
Rudy Giuliani's law license has been suspended in New York and Washington, D.C. The suspension was triggered by Giuliani's involvement in spreading false statements and conspiracy theories about the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election results, in an attempt to overturn them. Giuliani made these false claims while trying to get courts to overturn Donald Trump's loss in the presidential race, alleging that Trump was swindled out of victory by widespread ballot fraud in key states. Giuliani's suspension in Washington, D.C., was triggered automatically by his suspension in New York, and he has also faced other legal challenges, including a defamation lawsuit from two election workers who he falsely claimed had committed fraud during the 2020 election.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of suspension in New York | 24 June 2021 |
| Date of suspension in Washington, D.C. | 25 June 2021 |
| Reason for suspension | Making "false and misleading statements" about the election loss of former President Donald Trump |
| Status of license | Suspended |
| Location of law office | Manhattan |
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What You'll Learn
Suspension in New York
On June 24, 2021, a New York appellate court suspended Rudy Giuliani's license to practice law in the state. The ruling, signed on June 24, 2021, prevented Giuliani from representing clients as a lawyer. The suspension was triggered by Giuliani's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The suspension was based on the court's finding that Giuliani had made "demonstrably false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers and the public". Specifically, the court found that Giuliani had promoted theories that the election was stolen through fraud, stating that there was "uncontroverted" evidence of this. Giuliani's conduct was deemed an "immediate threat" to the public, with the court concluding that his statements "immediately threaten the public interest and warrant interim suspension from the practice of law".
The suspension in New York led to reciprocal suspensions in other states, including Washington, D.C. Giuliani was suspended from practicing law in Washington, D.C., pending a disciplinary proceeding in New York. The District of Columbia's highest court cited Giuliani's suspension in New York as the reason for its decision.
Giuliani challenged the suspension, claiming that the investigation violated his First Amendment right to free speech and that he did not knowingly make false statements. However, the court rejected these arguments, noting that Giuliani failed to provide any evidence to support his claims of voter fraud in Pennsylvania.
In July 2024, a New York state appeals court disbarred Giuliani as a result of his efforts to subvert the 2020 election by making false allegations about mass voter fraud.
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Suspension in Washington, D.C
On June 25, 2021, Rudy Giuliani's license to practice law in New York was suspended over his actions to disseminate lies about voter fraud in the 2020 election. The ruling cited his "false and misleading statements" about the election loss of former President Donald Trump.
The suspension in New York triggered a reciprocal suspension in Washington, D.C. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals suspended Giuliani's license to practice law in Washington, D.C., pending the outcome of his New York suspension. The court cited the action by the New York appeals court and stated that Giuliani is "suspended from the practice of law in the District of Columbia pending final disposition of this proceeding."
Giuliani had already been suspended from the D.C. bar for non-payment of fees, but the new suspension was triggered by the New York ruling. The practical impact of the D.C. court ruling was questionable, as Giuliani's law license in Washington was already inactive. However, the suspension still carried symbolic weight, given Giuliani's prominence as a former Manhattan attorney and political figure.
Giuliani challenged the suspension, arguing that his comments did not pose a threat to the public. He claimed that his statements did not lead to any protests, riots, or incidents. However, the courts in both New York and Washington, D.C., determined that his false statements posed an immediate threat to the public and warranted the suspension of his law license.
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False statements about election results
In June 2021, Rudy Giuliani had his license to practice law suspended in the state of New York, pending an investigation into his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The suspension was triggered by Giuliani's false and misleading statements about the election loss of his client, former President Donald Trump. The New York court described the suspension as "immediate" and "interim", pending disciplinary proceedings.
Giuliani, acting as Trump's lawyer, made false claims about the legitimacy of President Joe Biden's victory, alleging without evidence that Trump was cheated out of a win due to widespread ballot fraud in key states. In response to these false claims, Dominion Voting Systems sued Giuliani and Sidney Powell, accusing them of advancing false claims of election fraud that implicated the company following the 2020 election.
Giuliani also falsely claimed that illegal aliens had voted in Arizona during the 2020 election, and that underage voters had cast ballots in Georgia. These false statements were repeated even after Georgia's voting system implementation manager, Gabriel Sterling, clarified that any individuals who requested absentee ballots before turning 18 had, in fact, turned 18 by Election Day, making their votes legal.
In addition, Giuliani and Trump falsely accused two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, of committing election fraud in 2020. In July 2023, Giuliani conceded that his public comments about the pair were false. Freeman and Moss filed a defamation lawsuit, and in December 2023, a jury awarded them $148 million in damages. Giuliani has since reached a settlement agreement with the two women.
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Disciplinary proceedings
On June 25, 2021, Rudy Giuliani's license to practice law in New York was suspended by the state's appeals court. The ruling, signed on June 24, stated that he had made false and misleading statements while trying to overturn Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential race. The suspension was temporary, pending the outcome of a full formal disciplinary hearing.
Giuliani's license suspension in New York triggered an automatic suspension in Washington, D.C., where he was also barred from practicing law. The District of Columbia's highest court issued the suspension on July 7, 2021, pending a disciplinary proceeding in New York.
The disciplinary proceedings against Giuliani were initiated by an attorney disciplinary committee, which requested his license suspension on the grounds that he had violated professional conduct rules. The committee argued that Giuliani promoted theories of election fraud and made false statements to courts, lawmakers, and the public. The court agreed with the committee, stating that Giuliani's conduct posed an immediate threat to the public and that his statements were demonstrably false and misleading.
On July 2, 2024, a New York state appeals court disbarred Giuliani as a result of his efforts to subvert the 2020 election. Additionally, on June 10, 2022, the DC Bar's Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed charges with the DC Court of Appeals' Board on Professional Responsibility against Giuliani.
Giuliani faced other legal consequences for his actions, including defamation lawsuits related to his election-related statements and his role in inciting the Capitol riot.
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Misconduct and conspiracy theories
In June 2021, Rudy Giuliani had his license to practice law suspended in the state of New York, pending an investigation related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The suspension was triggered by his false and misleading statements about the election loss of his client, former President Donald Trump. Giuliani had claimed, without evidence, that the election was marred by widespread ballot fraud in key states, and that Trump was cheated out of victory.
Giuliani's suspension in New York automatically triggered a reciprocal suspension in Washington, D.C., where he was also barred from practicing law pending a disciplinary proceeding in New York. This suspension came as Giuliani was under criminal investigation by the Justice Department in connection with his work in Ukraine. CNN reported that Giuliani had "relentlessly pressured and coaxed" the Ukrainian government in 2019 to investigate baseless conspiracies about then-candidate Joe Biden.
Giuliani's conduct in relation to the 2020 election has resulted in various legal consequences. In January 2023, he settled with two Georgia election workers who sued him for defamation after he falsely claimed they had manipulated election results. A jury awarded the pair $148 million in damages. In August 2023, Giuliani was indicted in Georgia, along with Donald Trump and 17 others, for allegedly participating in a wide-ranging effort to overturn the election results in that state. He is accused of violating multiple state laws as part of a "criminal enterprise" that pressured state officials to reverse Trump's loss. The indictment alleges that Giuliani and his co-conspirators "refused to accept that Trump lost" and knowingly joined a conspiracy to unlawfully change the election outcome.
Giuliani's specific charges in the Georgia indictment include conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to impersonate a public officer, filing false documents, and making false statements in legislative meetings. He is accused of presenting false claims of voter fraud to state legislative bodies and pressuring officials in Arizona, Michigan, and other states to overturn Biden's wins. In Pennsylvania, Giuliani applied for special permission to represent the Trump presidential campaign in federal court, despite not having argued a case in decades. He misrepresented his status with the District of Columbia Bar, claiming to be a member in good standing when he had been suspended for non-payment of fees.
Giuliani's actions have been described as an "immediate threat" to the public, with his false statements contributing to continued attacks on the legitimacy of the 2020 election and President Biden. His conduct has also led to civil lawsuits, including one filed by Representative Eric Swalwell, seeking damages for Giuliani's alleged role in inciting the Capitol riot. Giuliani's lawyer has acknowledged that he appears to be named as "Co-Conspirator 1" in the indictment related to Trump's efforts to overturn the election.
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Frequently asked questions
Giuliani's license to practice law was suspended due to his involvement in spreading false statements and conspiracy theories about the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election results, in an attempt to overturn them.
Giuliani's license to practice law was suspended in New York and Washington, D.C.
Giuliani's license to practice law was suspended on June 24, 2021.
As of July 2024, Giuliani has been disbarred in New York, marking the permanent revocation of his license to practice law in the state. The suspension of his license in his home state may also amount to a national suspension, impacting his ability to practice law elsewhere.
