Bainbridge Island Attorney Disbarred by Washington Supreme Court

The Washington State Supreme Court has ordered the disbarment of Bainbridge Island attorney John David Du Wors, effectively ending his ability to practice law in the state. The order, filed on January 21, 2026, imposes reciprocal discipline following Du Wors’ disbarment in Delaware last year.

The disbarment marks the final chapter in a years-long legal saga for Du Wors, involving criminal convictions, false statements to police and insurers, and the unauthorized practice of law across multiple states.

The Washington Supreme Court’s decision is based on a July 25, 2025, ruling by the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware, which disbarred Du Wors for serious ethical violations committed in that jurisdiction.

Under Washington’s Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct, discipline imposed in another state can result in identical discipline in Washington unless the attorney can prove it is unwarranted. The Court unanimously determined that disbarment was the appropriate sanction.

The Delaware Violations

The misconduct leading to the permanent loss of his license occurred while Du Wors was facing disciplinary scrutiny in Washington.

In April 2023, Du Wors applied for admission pro hac vice in a Delaware Superior Court case. On his application, he certified that he was not the subject of any pending disciplinary proceedings, despite the fact that the Washington State Bar Association had filed a formal complaint against him in September 2022 regarding criminal conduct.

After being suspended in Washington in August 2023, Du Wors failed to notify the Delaware courts and continued to practice law, actively participating in a mediation session for a client in October 2023 despite his suspended status.

The Delaware Supreme Court found that he had “knowingly engaged in... misconduct that caused injury and potential injury to the public, the legal system, and the profession.”

A History of Misconduct

The disciplinary issues that sparked this chain of events began on Bainbridge Island. In July 2023, Du Wors agreed to a six-month suspension in Washington stemming from two criminal incidents.

In 2017, Du Wors struck a parked vehicle with his Jeep Wrangler and fled the scene. When police located the vehicle at a tow yard, Du Wors claimed the damage occurred while the Jeep was parked and that it had been hit by a “hit and run driver.”

He repeated these false claims to his insurance company, GEICO, in an attempt to file a claim. He eventually pleaded guilty to hit-and-run of an unattended vehicle.

Two years later, police observed Du Wors driving erratically on July 4, 2019. He failed a field sobriety test and subsequently pleaded guilty to DUI.

Multi-State Fallout

Du Wors’ failure to adhere to suspension orders affected his standing in other federal courts as well. In September 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho revoked his pro hac vice status, noting it was “disturbing that Du Wors engaged in briefing in this case after he was suspended in Washington.” The Idaho court further reprimanded him for leaving it to opposing counsel to notify the court of his suspension.

The Washington Supreme Court’s order of disbarment is effective seven days from the filing date of January 21, 2026.