Former Trump Lawyer Kenneth John Chesebro Disbarred in New York

Chesebro’s disbarment follows a guilty plea in October 2023 to a single count of conspiracy to commit filing false documents in Georgia. This indictment was part of a larger case involving 16 co-defendants and centered around efforts to overturn the election results.

The Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department (AGC) moved to have Chesebro’s name removed from the roll of attorneys due to his felony conviction. The AGC argued that his actions constituted a serious crime under Judiciary Law § 90 (4) (d). Chesebro opposed this motion, and a hearing was subsequently held to address whether his conduct qualified as a serious crime and whether he should be suspended pending further proceedings.

In an order issued on October 31, 2024, the court partially granted the AGC’s motion, determining that Chesebro had indeed committed a serious crime, leading to his suspension from practicing law while awaiting a final decision on the disciplinary measures to be imposed.

The Referee’s report, submitted after a hearing in December 2024, revealed that Chesebro had contributed to Donald Trump’s campaign efforts in Wisconsin, drafting a memorandum that suggested a legal framework for contesting electoral votes. Despite initially claiming a limited role, Chesebro later assisted in the creation of documents for alternate electors, including instructions for casting votes in Georgia. The report noted that the Georgia electors ultimately executed a Certificate of Votes that included Chesebro’s original language, which he later sought to amend.

In assessing Chesebro’s actions, the Referee highlighted that his involvement was significant and characterized him as a key figure in the efforts to undermine the election results. The Referee also pointed out Chesebro’s lack of remorse for his conduct and his failure to report his felony conviction to the appropriate disciplinary authorities, which was noted as an aggravating factor in the proceedings.

The Referee recommended that Chesebro’s suspension continue pending the outcome of his criminal matter in Wisconsin. However, the court ultimately decided against this recommendation, asserting that the seriousness of Chesebro’s conviction warranted immediate disbarment. The court emphasized that his criminal conduct, involving conspiracy to file false documents, raised substantial concerns about his integrity and fitness to practice law.

As a result of the ruling, Chesebro’s name was stricken from the roll of attorneys in New York, and he is prohibited from practicing law in any capacity within the state. He is also required to comply with specific regulations governing disbarred attorneys as part of his disqualification from the legal profession.