Page 23 - CLT061421

NEWS JUNE 14, 2021 ■ 23

An Ethics Complaint Against Bill Barr Was

Rejected, and It Has Lawyers Worried

By Jacqueline Thomsen

Then-Attorney General William Barr testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a hearing regarding the
Department of Justice’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections on May 1,
2019. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM
isciplinary counsel in Washington, D.C., last “Importantly, Mr. Barr, as our chief law enforce-
year declined to take up an ethics complaint ment officer, occupies a position that serves as a
Dagainst then-Attorney General William Barr model for other lawyers, particularly government
in part due to the political conduct involved, an lawyers. Thus, serious ethical deviations on his part
explanation that’s alarming lawyers behind the com- carry enormous consequences for our profession as
plaint and legal ethics experts alike. a whole,” the complaint states.
The complaint against Barr, filed last year by 27 at- However, in a letter dated Aug. 4, 2020, an attor-
torneys, including four former presidents of the D.C. ney with the bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel
Bar, documented four instances in which Barr was said a full investigation will not be opened based on
alleged to have violated ethics rules in the District, the complaint.
including his handling of Special Counsel Robert “Your complaint lacks personal knowledge of
Mueller III’s report and last year’s forced clearing of the facts or allegations concerning Mr. Barr,” ODC
peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square. ■ Continued on PAGE 24

CONNECTICUT
Law Tribune