Sidney Powell, the lawyer known for her prominent role in the efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, has once again defeated an attempt to strip her of her legal license. This marks her second victory against a disciplinary effort launched by the State Bar of Texas. The latest challenge stems from her guilty pleas in connection with the racketeering (RICO) case in Fulton County, Georgia, in which she was involved in efforts to contest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
In October 2023, Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor charges related to her involvement in trying to interfere with election administration in Georgia. These charges were a part of a broader investigation into the actions of several individuals who attempted to undermine the election results. Powell’s guilty pleas resulted in a sentence of one year of probation on each count, to be served consecutively.
Following this, the Texas Commission for Lawyer Discipline filed charges against Powell in June 2024, aiming for “compulsory discipline” due to her criminal convictions. In the State of Texas, attorneys can face disciplinary action, including suspension or disbarment, if they are found guilty of a crime that violates the professional code of conduct. The State Bar argued that Powell’s actions in Georgia were sufficiently serious to warrant such measures.
However, after a hearing in Austin on Friday, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals ruled in Powell’s favor. The board concluded that the misdemeanor charges against her did not meet the threshold of an “intentional and serious crime” as defined by Texas’ legal standards. As a result, Powell’s professional license was not suspended or revoked.
Powell, who has consistently described her legal battles as examples of “lawfare,” responded to the ruling by criticizing the ongoing disciplinary efforts. She argued that these actions are politically motivated and harmful to the integrity of legal practice. Powell emphasized that lawyers must have the ability to represent clients in even the most controversial cases without fear of professional retaliation.
This was not the first time Powell faced disciplinary action from the Texas Bar. The Bar had previously sought to discipline her over a series of lawsuits she filed in late 2020 that challenged the election results in several battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin. These lawsuits were widely criticized and dismissed by courts across the country.
The first disciplinary case against Powell, which lasted over two years, ended with a district court ruling in her favor. Though the Bar appealed the decision, the case was ultimately dismissed again by a panel of judges, who found that the Bar’s case was weak and based on insufficient evidence. When the Bar attempted to resurrect the case, it was again rejected by the courts, with the panel noting that the evidence presented was flawed and incomplete.
Following the second disciplinary charge against her in 2024, Powell sought to have the case dismissed. However, the disciplinary board decided to rule on the case based on its merits. Powell’s attorney, Bob Holmes, argued that the actions she took in Georgia were neither intentional nor egregious enough to warrant disciplinary action. In the end, the board sided with Powell, determining that her actions did not meet the standard for suspension or disbarment.
Despite her victory, Powell expressed frustration and disappointment over the continued attacks on her professional standing. She noted that the constant legal challenges have been costly, time-consuming, and damaging to her practice. Powell pointed out that the ongoing disciplinary actions have made it difficult for her to attract new clients, given the negative attention surrounding her legal battles.
Powell’s recent victory is a significant win for her, but it comes amid a broader ongoing controversy over her role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. As Powell continues to face legal challenges and disciplinary scrutiny, her supporters view her as a champion of free speech and due process, while her critics accuse her of undermining the rule of law and spreading baseless claims about election fraud. Regardless of these differing perspectives, Powell’s legal battles appear far from over.
