Pennsylvania Attorney John McDanel Loses License Over Inappropriate Client Communications

On Friday, February 20, 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court disbarred attorney John McDanel on consent. The disbarment follows a verified statement of resignation submitted by McDanel.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of John McDanel,” with case number 53 DB 2025.

The resignation came in the wake of a pending investigation into allegations of professional misconduct. A Petition for Discipline, filed on May 5, 2025, by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), detailed the charges against McDanel. The ODC alleged that McDanel violated the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The allegations stemmed from McDanel’s representation of a client, identified as K.L., between 2013 and 2024. During this period, the ODC claims McDanel engaged in inappropriate sexual communications with K.L., violating RPC 1.8(j) via RPC 8.4(a), and attempted to destroy evidence of such communications, violating RPC 8.4(c).

Specifically, the petition stated that McDanel made comments to K.L. regarding her physical appearance and communicated with her via text message between November 2023 and February 2024. The ODC alleged that these text messages were suggestive and sexually explicit, sent with the intent to elicit an intimate sexual relationship.

Furthermore, the ODC claimed that McDanel repeatedly encouraged K.L. to delete these sexually explicit text messages from her phone, including on January 2, 25, and 28 of 2024. This, according to the ODC, was an attempt to conceal his misconduct and avoid professional discipline.

McDanel, who was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in December 1987, acknowledged that he is fully aware of his right to consult and employ counsel to represent him. He retained, consulted with, and acted upon the advice of counsel Patrick O’Connell, Esquire, in connection with his decision to execute the resignation.

As a result of the disbarment, McDanel is required to comply with the provisions of Pa.R.D.E. 217 and pay costs to the Disciplinary Board. He can apply for reinstatement to the practice of law pursuant to the provisions of Enforcement Rule 218(b) and (c), but only after filing a verified statement of compliance.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.