The Supreme Court of Texas has dismissed the State Bar of Texas's efforts to discipline First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster, concluding a legal battle that lasted four years. Attorney General Ken Paxton is also facing similar allegations from the State Bar in a separate case.
The Commission for Lawyer Discipline, part of the State Bar of Texas, attempted to discipline Paxton and Webster for filing an original action on behalf of Texas in the U.S. Supreme Court. This action concerned alleged unconstitutional conduct by states during the 2020 election. The Commission disagreed with the merits of this suit and claimed that Texas made misrepresentations, leading to disciplinary proceedings. In September 2022, a district court dismissed these allegations against Webster, but the matter was appealed to the Texas Supreme Court.
The Texas Supreme Court has now sided with Attorney General Paxton and reinstated the district court’s dismissal of the Commission's lawsuit, citing violations of separation of powers.
"After four years of lawfare and political retaliation, the Texas Supreme Court has ended this witch hunt against the leadership of my office," said Attorney General Paxton. "The Texas State Bar attempted to punish us for fighting to secure our national elections but we did not and will not ever back down from doing what is right. We have seen this playbook used against President Trump and other effective fighters for the American people and I am pleased that this attempt to stop our work has been defeated."
"The actions of the State Bar were disgraceful, ridiculous, and a disservice to the people of Texas," said First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster. "Thankfully, with President Trump back in the White House and these attempts to wage legal warfare against us defeated, we can finally get back to making Texas and America great again without distraction."
To read the decision, click here.