Brad Bondi, Brother of U.S. Attorney General, Loses Bid to Lead D.C. Bar Amid Political Backlash

By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk

📍 Washington, D.C. — Brad Bondi, a prominent white-collar defense attorney and brother of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, has lost a hotly contested race to lead the Washington D.C. Bar Association, following a campaign marred by intense political scrutiny and record voter turnout.

Bondi, co-chair of the investigations and white-collar defense practice at Paul Hastings LLP, was defeated by employment attorney Diane Seltzer of The Seltzer Law Firm. The D.C. Bar CEO, Robert Spagnoletti, announced Monday that Seltzer had secured more than 90% of the record 38,600 votes cast—an extraordinary jump from the 7,500 votes in the previous election.

The unusually high interest in what is traditionally a low-profile election reflected deep concerns within the legal community over Bondi’s close political affiliations. Many lawyers expressed fear that his leadership could compromise the independence of the mandatory bar association, particularly given his family ties and recent Trump-era directives involving disciplinary referrals against immigration lawyers.

Bondi acknowledged his defeat in a statement, saying he was “grateful” for the support he received but criticized what he described as “rabid partisans” who “lurched this election into the political gutter.” He maintained that his campaign was nonpartisan and aimed at restoring professionalism to the bar’s leadership.

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In contrast, Seltzer emphasized the vote as a decisive moment for the legal profession in the capital. “This election result sends a strong message: Washington lawyers care about upholding the rule of law, protecting the independence of our profession, and ensuring we can practice without fear of political interference,” she said.

Some legal professionals had publicly warned that a Bondi victory could be seen as an extension of partisan control into professional legal spaces. Those concerns were amplified after President Donald Trump issued an executive order in March instructing Pam Bondi, in her role as Attorney General, to refer certain lawyers for disciplinary review—particularly those suspected of advising undocumented immigrants on how to respond to legal questioning.

Although the D.C. Bar president has no formal control over disciplinary investigations—those decisions are overseen by the District’s Court of Appeals and its Office of Disciplinary Counsel—the symbolism of the role has come under increasing scrutiny in a climate of political polarization.

Bondi’s campaign ultimately became a flashpoint for broader debates on legal ethics, judicial independence, and political loyalty within the U.S. legal system.

This outcome reinforces the push by legal professionals nationwide to defend institutional neutrality and preserve the independence of bar associations—especially in politically charged times.

📰 This report was compiled by the Newspot Nigeria legal affairs desk, keeping our readers informed of global developments that intersect law, politics, and professional ethics.