"What on earth will his attorneys submit in his defense?"
That he's had a spotless record until now. That's all they've got. They can't plead ignorance of the law because the cover-up lies demonstrate Mikey's consciousness of guilt. All they can do is grovel for mercy. The presence of the cameras will ensure he gets little or none. This bar has stumbled in its oversight responsibilities too long. The legislature is breathing down their necks. If they want to remain relevant and help the DAs hang onto their power scam, which enures to their benefit as well, they will take Mikey down - remove him from office by disbarring him. In essence, they will undo what the racist black Durhamites voted to do.
"That he's had a spotless record until now..."
True, but then again, John Wilkes Boothe was pretty clean too, before that little "incident" in the Ford Theater...