Hunter Biden has opted for disbarment in Washington, D.C., dodging a messy public disciplinary hearing after his felony conviction.
AT A GLANCE
- Hunter Biden has voluntarily surrendered his D.C. law license.
- He filed a sworn affidavit consenting to permanent disbarment.
- His law license was suspended in June 2024 after a gun-related felony conviction.
- Disbarment will be finalized if the D.C. Court of Appeals accepts the decision.
- The move avoids a formal hearing into his criminal conduct.
Avoiding the Spotlight
Hunter Biden has formally consented to being disbarred from practicing law in Washington, D.C., a decision that allows him to avoid a potentially damaging public disciplinary hearing. According to reporting by the New York Post, Biden filed an affidavit acknowledging his decision and stating his “consent to disbarment.” The D.C. Bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel had previously moved to suspend his license following a felony conviction in 2024.
The legal troubles that prompted this move stem from a 2018 gun purchase. Prosecutors argued that Biden falsely claimed he was not using drugs at the time, despite documented struggles with substance abuse. Although he pleaded not guilty, the court ultimately convicted him of making a false statement, leading to his suspension from practicing law.
Watch coverage of Hunter Biden’s legal surrender.
A History of Legal Trouble
Biden has held a D.C. law license since 2007, though he never actively practiced law. His recent legal entanglements have been high-profile and politically sensitive. In addition to the firearm case, Biden pleaded guilty in 2024 to multiple tax violations. These admissions further complicated his legal standing and public image.
As part of a sweeping presidential action, former President Joe Biden granted his son a “full and unconditional” pardon covering offenses from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024. The pardon also extended to other members of the Biden family, providing broad immunity. Still, the D.C. Bar pursued disciplinary proceedings, citing the serious nature of the underlying offenses.
A Strategic Move by Biden
Biden’s decision to surrender his license effectively halts further inquiries from the D.C. Court of Appeals, which had begun a formal review to determine whether his felony conviction constituted a “serious crime” under Bar Rule XI. According to the Daily Caller, the court’s findings suggested the bar could pursue significant penalties, making voluntary disbarment a calculated alternative.
Despite the professional setback, Biden remains listed as a dues-paying member of the D.C. Bar, a status that does not confer active legal privileges. His former affiliation with Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, where he held an “of counsel” title during his father’s vice presidency, adds weight to the symbolic loss of his credentials.
Closing a Chapter
Biden’s legal team has not commented yet. However, him giving up his license could signal the end of a long period of legal scrutiny. By stepping back, he avoids more damage to his reputation from a public hearing, but he also recognizes the seriousness of his past actions without openly admitting he was at fault.
This situation underlines how well-known legal professionals often handle disciplinary issues to reduce their exposure, even if it hurts their professional reputation. Biden’s legal career wraps up not with a court case, but with a quietly submitted affidavit and his final exit from the legal field.
