Bernie Grimm’s consent to disbarment has surprised peers in the criminal defense bar in Washington, D.C.—especially since the underlying circumstances of the disciplinary action have been shrouded in mystery.

Law.com reported Thursday that Grimm, a high-profile D.C. defense attorney who was previously a shareholder at Cozen O’Connor, consented to disbarment, requesting that his disbarment be effective Sept. 1, 2021, to permit him to wind down his practice.