Hunter Biden was formally disbarred in Connecticut on Monday after a judge found he violated the state’s rules governing attorney conduct. The action followed disciplinary complaints tied to his federal gun and tax convictions, which were pardoned in December 2024 by his father, former President Joe Biden. Court records show Biden consented to the disbarment and acknowledged professional misconduct without admitting criminal wrongdoing. He and his attorney appeared by video before Judge Trial Referee Patrick L. Carroll III in Waterbury.
The Connecticut decision marks the second jurisdiction in which Biden has lost his law license, following his voluntary surrender of his Washington, D.C., license in April. Biden was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1997 after graduating from Yale Law School. The judge cited violations of ethical rules, including conduct involving dishonesty or misrepresentation, and referenced the prior D.C. disbarment as partial grounds. The ruling underscores that professional discipline can continue even after criminal pardons.
The disbarment stems from Biden’s underlying federal cases, including gun convictions in Delaware and tax charges in California, both of which were dismissed following the pardon, though the convictions themselves were not vacated. In Connecticut, Biden reached an agreement with disciplinary authorities admitting certain misconduct allegations. With disbarment now in effect in Connecticut and Washington, D.C., his ability to practice law has been permanently revoked in those jurisdictions.