Pro-Trump lawyer retires from law practice, leading state bar to drop ethics cases against him
L. Lin Wood Jr. in March 2020. Wood, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, has informed the State Bar of Georgia of his decision to permanently retire from law practice in a letter posted to the messaging app Telegram. Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian via Wikimedia Commons.
A lawyer involved in litigation to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election has agreed to permanently retire from law practice, leading the State Bar of Georgia to drops its two disciplinary cases against him.
L. Lin Wood Jr., a supporter of former President Donald Trump, informed the state bar of his decision in a letter posted to the messaging app Telegram.
The Associated Press, Law360, Reuters, Above the Law, Bloomberg Law and CNN have coverage.
“I understand that this request is unqualified, irrevocable and permanent,” Wood said in the letter.
He also cited his understanding that he cannot practice law in Georgia or any other jurisdiction.
Georgia ethics authorities think that Wood’s resignation achieves the goals of its disciplinary action, including protection of the public, according to a July 5 court filing.
Wood had challenged the Georgia bar’s order for him to take a mental health exam in its first disciplinary case against him. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Atlanta ruled against Wood in May 2022, saying it can’t interfere in state court proceedings.
The bar had told the 11th Circuit that its evidence included lawsuit allegations that Wood engaged in erratic and abusive behavior, offered to fight his former colleagues to the death, and voiced concerns that disclosure of his conduct would interfere with his appointment as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Wood had countered that the bar’s allegations were “false, vituperative and unfounded.”
Wood was among several pro-Trump lawyers subjected to sanctions for making baseless claims about “hostile foreign governments” accessing Michigan voting machines. On June 23, the 6th Circuit at Cincinnati upheld but trimmed the sanctions for Wood, who was listed as of counsel, as well as for several other lawyers.
The bar opened a second disciplinary case against Wood after the 6th Circuit ruling, according to Reuters.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “After filing election suits, pro-Trump lawyer L. Lin Wood is asked to undergo mental health evaluation”
ABAJournal.com: “Accused of ‘outrageous and unfounded attacks’ on SCOTUS chief justice, pro-Trump lawyer stands by claims”
