Disbarment is a revocation of a lawyer's ability to practice law or argue cases. For most lawyers, this can essentially mean no longer having a livelihood. A lawyer, according to Blacks Law Dictionary, is a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person licensed to practice law. ... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... Categories: Stub | Software engineering | Data management ...

Generally disbarment is imposed as a sanction for conduct indicating that an attorney is not fit to practice law, willfully disregarding the interests of a client, or engaging in fraud which impedes the administration of justice. In addition, any lawyer who is convicted of a felony is automatically disbarred in most jurisdictions. For the record label, see Felony Records The term felony is a term used in common law systems for very serious crimes, whereas misdemeanors are considered to be less serious offenses. ...

In the United States legal system, disbarment is specific to regions; one can be disbarred from some courts, while still being a member of the bar in another jurisdiction. However, under the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which have been adopted in most states, disbarment in one state or court is grounds for disbarment in a jurisdiction which has adopted the Model Rules. A bar association is a professional body of lawyers who, in some jurisdictions, are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession. ... American Bar Associations Washington, DC office The American Bar Association (ABA) is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. ... ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, created by the American Bar Association (ABA), is a set of professional standards to guarantee the minimum legal ethics and professional responsibility of lawyers in the United States. ...

Disbarment is quite rare.^{[citation needed]} Instead, lawyers are usually sanctioned by their own clients through civil malpractice proceedings, or via fine, censure, suspension, or other punishments from the disciplinary boards. To be disbarred is considered a great embarrassment and shame, even if one no longer wishes to pursue a career in the law; it is akin, in effect, to a dishonorable discharge in a military situation. A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve. ...

Notably, the 20th Century saw two former U.S. presidents and one former U.S. vice-president disbarred^{[citation needed]}. Former Vice President Spiro Agnew, having pleaded no contest (which subjects a person to the same penalties as a guilty plea) to charges of bribery and tax evasion, was disbarred from Maryland, the state of which he had previously been governor. The presidential seal was first used in 1880 by President Rutherford B. Hayes and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... Seal of the office of the Vice-President of the United States The Vice President of the United States is the first in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death, resignation, or removal of the President. ... Spiro Theodore Agnew (November 9, 1918 – September 17, 1996) was the 39th Vice President of the United States serving under President Richard M. Nixon, and the 55th Governor of Maryland. ... In criminal trials in some common law jurisdictions, a plea of nolo contendere means that the defendant neither admits nor disputes the charge, and is an alternative to pleading guilty or not guilty. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37°53N to 39°43N  - Longitude 75°4W to 79°33... Robert L. Ehrlich, the 60th and current Governor of Maryland. ...

Former President Richard Nixon was disbarred from New York for obstruction of justice related to the Watergate scandal. Bill Clinton was also disbarred from Arkansas involving perjury accusations by Whitewater prosecutors. Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994) was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. ... NY redirects here. ... Modern Obstruction of Justice, in a common law state, refers to the crime of offering interference of any sort to the work of police, investigators, regulatory agencies, prosecutors, or other (usually government) officials. ... The Watergate building. ... William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III[1] on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Area  Ranked 29th  - Total 53,179 sq mi (137,002 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 261 miles (420 km)  - % water 2. ... The Whitewater Controversy (also called the Whitewater scandal or simply Whitewater) was an American political controversy concerning the real estate dealings of Bill and Hillary Clinton and their associates in the Whitewater Development Agency during the 1970s and 1980s. ...

Most recently, Mike Nifong, who helped indict three innocent Duke University students of rape, was found guilty on 27 of 32 charges laid against him and was disbarred.

See also

• List of disbarred attorneys