The professional career of multi-jurisdictional attorney John David Du Wors (California Bar No. 233913) has been severely impacted by a pattern of misconduct involving dishonesty, criminal convictions, and a failure to be candid with judicial tribunals.
Du Wors faced discipline in Washington, Delaware, and California, with the resulting sanctions ranging from a one-year actual suspension in California to permanent disbarment in Delaware. These actions underscore the absolute requirement for attorneys to maintain honesty across all aspects of their professional and personal lives.
The Core Misconduct: Criminal Acts and Deceit
The disciplinary actions against Du Wors stem from two primary areas of misconduct over several years: criminal offenses and subsequent lies to protect himself.
1. Criminal Convictions and Related Lies
Du Wors was sanctioned in his primary jurisdiction, Washington State, for conduct that revealed a fundamental lack of integrity:
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He was convicted of serious driving offenses: hit-and-run – unattended vehicle and driving under the influence (DUI).
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Following the hit-and-run, Du Wors compounded the misconduct by making false statements to the police and making false statements to his insurance company about the damage to his vehicle.
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The Washington State Bar found that this conduct involved Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit or Misrepresentation and constituted Moral Turpitude.
2. Misrepresentation to Tribunals
The most severe consequences arose from Du Wors’ attempt to conceal the pending Washington disciplinary action while seeking to practice elsewhere:
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False Certification: While seeking admission in Delaware Superior Court, Du Wors falsely certified that he was not the subject of pending disciplinary proceedings in another jurisdiction, despite the active case in Washington.
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Continued Deceit: He failed to correct this false certification and, after receiving the Washington suspension, failed to notify the Delaware court.
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Unauthorized Practice: He participated in a mediation in Delaware while officially suspended from practice in Washington.
The Sanctions: A Multi-Jurisdictional Penalty
The seriousness of his misconduct led to sanctions across three states:
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Delaware Disbarment: The Delaware Supreme Court ordered permanent disbarment (effective July 25, 2025). This was the maximum penalty, specifically for knowingly making false statements to a tribunal and failing to disclose the Washington proceedings.
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California Suspension: California imposed a one-year actual suspension plus two years of probation (effective September 19, 2025). This was a form of reciprocal discipline based on his criminal convictions involving moral turpitude and misconduct found in Washington.
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Washington Suspension: The original jurisdiction imposed a 6-month suspension plus two years of probation based on his stipulation to the criminal conduct and lying to authorities.
Conclusion: Honesty is the Highest Duty
The case of John David Du Wors serves as a profound warning that dishonesty and a lack of candor—whether toward law enforcement, an insurance company, or a judicial tribunal—will ultimately dismantle an attorney’s career.
His failure to be truthful about his Washington discipline led directly to the most severe professional consequence in Delaware, underscoring that for lawyers, honesty is not just an ethical principle; it is a mandatory prerequisite for retaining the privilege to practice.
