In truth, being disbarred is perhaps the most damning and yet least understood aspects of the legal profession. 1  So let's start with some basic truths. In total I have four: 2  Attorneys are usually disbarred one-state (or one jurisdiction) at a time. In general, lawyers are disbarred for those offenses that indicate an inability to practice law with honesty, integrity, etc. Besides disbarment, there are other ways for an attorney to lose their license. Disbarment is not always permanent.