On Monday, May 19, 2025, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked the law license of attorney Michael Alan Yoder following his consent to revocation amid pending disciplinary investigations.
The decision stemmed from two Virginia State Bar (VSB) cases, docket numbers 24-041-131994 and 25-041-133374, involving allegations of professional misconduct.
Yoder submitted an affidavit on May 15, 2025, acknowledging the truth of the material facts in the disciplinary complaints and consenting to the revocation of his license. The board accepted his consent, ordering his name removed from the Roll of Attorneys in Virginia.
The first case, docket number 24-041-131994, involved Yoder’s failure to disclose a pending VSB investigation, initiated on January 26, 2023, when applying for pro hac vice admission in multiple federal courts. Between January 31 and September 20, 2023, Yoder sought admission in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of New York, Western District of Washington, Massachusetts, and Southern District of Indiana, stating in each application that no disciplinary proceedings were pending against him.
Additionally, on August 14, 2023, Yoder posted on Instagram offering legal assistance in Maui, Hawaii, prompting an investigation by the Hawaii Office of Disciplinary Counsel for unauthorized practice of law. On November 3, 2023, Yoder disclosed the Hawaii investigation when applying for pro hac vice admission in the U.S. District Court of Hawaii but omitted the Virginia investigation.
The second case, docket number 25-041-133374, concerned Yoder’s representation of Alexandria Pastor in an employment lawsuit against Mercy Medical Center in New York. In October 2022, Pastor paid Yoder a $5,000 advance legal fee, which he deposited into his operating account rather than a separate escrow account. Yoder, operating a solo firm until partnering with others in 2023 and 2024, filed a lawsuit on Pastor’s behalf in the Eastern District of New York in December 2022 but never sought pro hac vice admission.
Communication lapses followed, including failing to inform Pastor of a May 6, 2024, change in local counsel and not advising her of a June 17, 2024, dismissal of her case or her right to appeal by July 17, 2024. Pastor filed a complaint with the VSB on October 2, 2024. Yoder refunded Pastor’s fee prior to notification of the complaint but provided an incomplete response to a VSB subpoena issued on October 7, 2024.
Yoder admitted to violating Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(c) for misrepresentation, New York Rules 1.15(b)(1) for improper handling of client funds, and 1.4 for inadequate client communication, and Virginia Rule 8.1(c) for failing to disclose disciplinary matters.
The board ordered Yoder to notify clients, opposing counsel, and judges of his revocation within 14 days and arrange for the disposition of client matters within 45 days. Proof of compliance must be submitted to the VSB Clerk within 60 days.
According to Avvo, Mr. Yoder is a lawyer in Washington, DC. He acquired his law license in Virginia in 2018.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
