In balking at putting Pierce O’Donnell behind bars for campaign finance violations, a federal judge has placed at risk something the well-known trial attorney that by all indications values more highly than his freedom: his license to practice law.
O’Donnell appeared jubilant on Nov. 14, when U.S. District Judge James Otero rejected a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for six months. But the government subsequently insisted on taking the case to trial, and a trial date was set for Jan. 31. If convicted, O’Donnell would have a felony on his record, which would mean automatic suspension of his license to practice. And, depending on the outcome of a State Bar of California investigation, he could be disbarred.
