Bismarck, N.D. (AP) A man accused of misrepresenting himself as a licensed lawyer has been disbarred by a North Dakota federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland says Howard Kieffer (KEE'-fur) admitted that he's not a graduate of an accredited law school, nor he is a member of any state bar.

Hovland says in an order that Kieffer can never practice law in North Dakota.

Kieffer did not return voice messages left at his office in Santa Ana, California.

Authorities said Kieffer was caught by one of his clients accused in a Minnesota child pornography case. Joel Wells says he paid Kieffer $37,000, but decided to look into his background after Kieffer repeatedly ignored his requests.

Court documents show that Kieffer was admitted to practice law in North Dakota federal court in March 2007, on claims that he was licensed in California. Those claims were not true.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-18-08 1438CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list