A federal judge blasted lawyer Stefanie Lambert for "repeated misconduct" while banning her from representing former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne in a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems. The ruling came after Lambert's actions raised serious concerns about her ability to fulfill her responsibilities as an attorney. The case against Byrne, who was sued for over $1.7 billion by Dominion, centers around allegations that he falsely claimed the company rigged voting machines in favor of President Joe Biden during the 2020 election.
Byrne’s accusations are tied to a broader conspiracy theory that was heavily promoted by former President Donald Trump and his supporters. Lambert started representing Byrne in December 2023, a few months following her indictment in Michigan for felony charges related to attempts to illegally access voting machines. This attempt was purportedly to find evidence supporting Trump’s unfounded claims of a "stolen" election, as reported by The Washington Post.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya emphasized in her ruling that Lambert had "repeatedly shown that she has no regard for orders or her obligations as an attorney." The judge's decision reflects a troubling pattern of behavior from Lambert that not only undermines the integrity of the legal process but also raises questions about the motivations behind her involvement in the case against Dominion.
Allegations against Lambert also include breaching a confidentiality order by sharing protected information with a sheriff in Michigan, claiming it revealed attempts by Serbian nationals associated with Dominion to overturn the election result. This sensitive information was subsequently disclosed to the public online, raising further concerns about her conduct. Lambert was additionally accused of attempting to use this information as evidence in her own unrelated criminal trial.
"I have sworn an oath as an attorney to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and I will do just that," Lambert stated in a previous comment to Newsweek. She added, "I will pursue truth and justice on behalf of my clients and country." However, Judge Upadhyaya noted that Lambert failed to substantiate her claims regarding national security crimes linked to Dominion's litigation documents.
In her ruling, the judge pointed out that Lambert's legal arguments were not backed by any substantial evidence and that her unilateral actions in disregarding the Protective Order were not justified. Upadhyaya also acknowledged that disqualifying a lawyer is an extraordinary measure, typically reserved for cases involving conflicts of interest. Yet, in Lambert's case, her "deliberate violations" warranted such action due to the potential harm to the ongoing litigation.
As the situation unfolds, Lambert's repeated misconduct has raised serious concerns about her intentions in the case. Upadhyaya noted that Lambert appeared to have become involved in the litigation primarily to gain access to and publicly share Dominion's protected discovery. The judge concluded that Lambert's actions had already severely impacted the proceedings and would continue to do so if she remained as counsel.
In response to the ruling, Lambert indicated that Byrne planned to file an "immediate appeal" against Judge Upadhyaya's decision. Notably, Lambert was arrested earlier this year outside a hearing related to the Byrne lawsuit after missing a court appearance in her own criminal case, which is set for trial in October. Additionally, she faces further criminal charges in Michigan regarding her alleged attempts to access voting machine data illegally.
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