Hunter Biden has conceded his legal career is over, agreeing to permanent disbarment rather than fight accusations tied to felony convictions his father ultimately pardoned.
At a Glance
- Hunter Biden formally submitted his “consent to disbarment” to Washington, D.C. legal authorities
- His disbarment follows a felony gun conviction in June 2024 and tax evasion guilty pleas
- Hunter had been suspended from practicing law since June 2024 after his criminal conviction
- The disbarment will become official once accepted by the D.C. Court of Appeals
- President Trump pardoned Hunter’s former business partner Devon Archer, calling him “a victim of crime”
Consenting to Professional Death
After a string of legal troubles culminating in felony convictions, the President’s son has thrown in the towel on his legal career. Hunter Biden formally agreed to be disbarred from practicing law in Washington, D.C., filing paperwork acknowledging his “consent to disbarment.” The move comes after Hunter was suspended from practicing law in the nation’s capital in June 2024 following his conviction on federal gun charges related to lying about drug use when purchasing a firearm in 2018.
The D.C. Court of Appeals’ records show Hunter was “suspended immediately from the practice of law” after his conviction on charges the court classified as “serious crimes as defined by D.C. Bar Rule XI.” His disbarment will become official if the court accepts the recommendation from the disciplinary agency. This ends a legal career that began when Hunter was first licensed to practice law in D.C. in 2007, though reports indicate he never actively practiced there despite maintaining his membership by paying annual fees.
Criminal Convictions and Presidential Pardon
Hunter’s legal troubles stem from multiple criminal cases. In June 2024, a jury found him guilty on three charges related to false statements and illegal gun possession while using drugs. Prosecutors successfully argued he was addicted to crack cocaine when he purchased a firearm in 2018, checking “no” on a form asking if he was an unlawful drug user. While his legal team didn’t dispute his history of substance abuse, they maintained he wasn’t actively using when completing the form.
“Hunter Biden will be permanently stripped of his ability to practice law in the nation’s capital after agreeing to a disciplinary agency’s disbarment recommendation,” according to court filings reviewed by the New York Post.
In a separate case that further complicated his legal status, Hunter pled guilty to nine tax-related charges in California, including three felonies and six misdemeanors. The guilty pleas acknowledged his failure to pay taxes on millions in income. These combined convictions led the DC Bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel to initiate proceedings against his law license, ultimately resulting in his consent to disbarment rather than contest the accusations in formal hearings.
Presidential Pardon Politics
The legal saga took an expected but controversial turn when former President Joe Biden issued Hunter a “full and unconditional” pardon in December 2024 before leaving office. The sweeping pardon covered all federal offenses Hunter “has committed or may have committed” from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024. Despite this presidential clemency protecting Hunter from criminal consequences, it couldn’t save his professional credentials as the D.C. Bar proceeded with disciplinary action based on the underlying conduct.
“Hunter Biden will be permanently stripped of his ability to practice law in the nation’s capital after agreeing to a disciplinary agency’s disbarment recommendation.” according to court documents filed with the DC Bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
Hunter also holds a law license in Connecticut, though it remains under administrative suspension for non-payment of a reinstatement fee. During his father’s vice presidency, he held an “of counsel” position at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, a connection that later drew scrutiny from critics alleging influence peddling. His attorney declined to comment on the disbarment proceedings when contacted by multiple news outlets, leaving unanswered questions about whether Hunter will attempt to maintain his Connecticut credentials or abandon the legal profession entirely.
