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The Alaska Bar Association has begun a process that may lead to the disbarring of Jim Clark, former chief of staff to former Gov. Frank Murkowski and prominent Juneau attorney.

Clark pleaded guilty in federal court last week to a felony conspiracy charge related to illegal campaign donations provided by an oil industry company to Murkowski's campaign. His sentencing has been put off at least six months while he assists prosecutors.

Those with felony convictions are generally barred from practicing law in Alaska, said Steve Van Goor, counsel to the Alaska Bar Association.

Van Goor said he's requested a copy of Clark's conviction from the federal court and plans to submit it to the Alaska Supreme Court as soon as today, beginning the process likely to lead to the loss of Clark's law license.

Clark will likely be given an opportunity to give up his license, but failing that, the Supreme Court, which regulates the law profession in Alaska, will schedule a disciplinary hearing, Van Goor said.

The court may immediately suspend a lawyer, he said.

Van Goor said the guilty plea will stand on its own, and the Bar Association is not required to prove again what Clark did at the hearing.

"We don't have to relitigate the conduct," he said.

Before and after serving in the Murkowski administration, Clark had been an attorney with Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh, which recently restructured and changed its name to Hoffman, Silver, Gilman & Blasco.

Clark is not with the law firm anymore, according to Blaine Gilman, a lawyer in Kenai who is a partner with the firm.

Van Goor said the Supreme Court can enter an order that is effective immediately, or 30 days after it is issued. That is sometimes done to enable clients to find new legal representation.

Clark had previously served as a lobbyist, a significant part of Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh's work. Under new ethics legislation passed by the Legislature last year, convicted felons are no longer allowed to serve as lobbyists.

• Contact reporter Pat Forgey at 523-2250 or patrick.forgey@juneauempire.com.