F. Lee Bailey denied law license in Maine

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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Celebrity lawyer F. Lee Bailey was denied the right to practice law in Maine by the state’s highest court Thursday, keeping him from restarting his legal career after being barred in other states.

The 4-2 ruling overturned a previous decision by a single justice, who found that Bailey was fit to practice law because he was sufficiently rehabilitated after mishandling a client’s stocks worth $6 million.

Bailey, whose high-profile clients have included O.J. Simpson and Patty Hearst, was previously licensed in Massachusetts and Florida, but was disbarred in those states for his handling of the stocks.

The 80-year-old Bailey, who lives in Maine, already passed the bar in that state.

But the Maine Supreme Court concluded that he had not demonstrated that he understood the seriousness of his actions that led to his disbarment in the other states.

Bailey had previously said he was disillusioned with the profession but liked the idea of practicing in Maine, where he spent summers growing up.

Following Thursday’s decision, he said he was disappointed with the ruling and has no future plans to try and practice law. However, he said he would continue to work as a Maine-based business consultant.

“I don’t plan to retire — ever,” he said.