The complete elimination of a lawyer's license due to ethical violations is best described by which term?

• A. Negligence
• B. Suspension
• C. Reprimand or censure
• D. Disbarment

Answer: (D)

Removing a lawyer’s ability to practice entirely and permanently due to ethical violations is called disbarment. This is the most severe form of professional discipline for attorneys, meant to bar them from representing clients in any court or offering legal services as long as the disbarment stands. It differs from other actions in a few key ways: suspension is temporary—the license is put on hold for a set period and can be reinstated afterward; a reprimand or censure is a formal expression of disapproval without removing the license; and negligence refers to failing to meet professional standards in handling a case, which can lead to civil liability but does not itself remove or suspend a license. Disbarment is the action that permanently ends an attorney’s privilege to practice law.