Case Summary

On September 18, 2023, Chief U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye issued a Memorandum Decision and Order suspending John Du Wors from practice before the United States District Court for the District of Idaho and revoking his pro hac vice status.

Background

Du Wors had been admitted pro hac vice on September 23, 2022, to represent Grey Ghost Precision, LLC in a commercial dispute with Stubborn Mule LLC. On August 17, 2023, the Washington Supreme Court suspended Du Wors for ethical violations stemming from his criminal convictions for hit-and-run and DUI, as well as lying to police and his insurance company.

Court Findings

The Court found Du Wors's conduct "troubling" and "even more disturbing":

The Court finds it troubling that Du Wors did not immediately notify the Court of his suspension in Washington, and instead left it to Mule's counsel to do so several weeks later. Failure to notify the Court of his suspension violates Local Civil Rule 83.4(h) which requires pro hac vice attorneys to notify the Court of "any change in his or her status in another jurisdiction which would make him or her ineligible for membership in the bar of this Court under Local Rule 83.4."

Even more disturbing is that Du Wors engaged in briefing in this case after he was suspended in Washington, where his law firm located.

Violations

Du Wors violated the following Idaho Local Civil Rules:

RuleDescription
Local Civil Rule 83.4(h)Failure to notify the Court of suspension in another jurisdiction
Local Civil Rule 83.5(b)(3)Reciprocal discipline for suspension in Washington

Order

The Court ordered:

  1. Motion for suspension and revocation of pro hac vice status GRANTED
  2. Du Wors is SUSPENDED from practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho immediately, and for so long as he is suspended in Washington
  3. Du Wors's pro hac vice status is REVOKED

Significance

This order demonstrates the cascading consequences of Du Wors's Washington suspension. Rather than voluntarily notifying the Idaho federal court of his change in status, Du Wors:

  • Failed to comply with his duty to report his suspension
  • Continued filing briefs after being suspended
  • Left it to opposing counsel to notify the court

This pattern of concealment and continued practice while suspended is consistent with Du Wors's documented history of dishonesty.

Source

  • Memorandum Decision and Order, Case 2:22-cv-00399-DCN, Document 80, Filed September 18, 2023
  • Judge: David C. Nye, Chief U.S. District Court Judge