John K Vawter was first admitted to the California Bar 16th January 1990, but is now no longer eligible to practice. John graduated from Western State University.

Lawyer Information

NameJohn K Vawter
First Admitted16 January 1990 (34 years, 3 months ago)
StatusNot Eligible to Practice
Bar Number145683

Contact

Current Email[email protected]

School

Law SchoolWestern State University (CA)

Address

Current AddressJohn K. Vawter, PO Box 83549
San Diego, CA 92138-3549
Map

History

1 September 2017Not eligible to practice law in CA (6 years, 8 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
31 January 2014Inactive (10 years, 3 months ago)
5 November 2004Active (19 years, 6 months ago)
7 August 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (19 years, 9 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 02-C-10103
15 May 2003Conviction record transmitted to State Bar Court 02-C-10103 (20 years, 11 months ago)
16 January 1990Admitted to the State Bar of California (34 years, 3 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

August 7, 2004

JOHN K. VAWTER [#145683], 50, of San Diego was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with a 90-day actual suspension and was ordered to prove his rehabilitation, take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Aug. 7, 2004.

Vawter stipulated that he committed four acts of misconduct, stemming from a federal conviction for attempting to interfere with his client’s rights, a misdemeanor. He admitted that he committed an act of moral turpitude, misled the court, failed to supervise a non-attorney employee and failed to support the laws of the United States.

In 2003, he pleaded no contest to obstruction of court orders in connection with his conduct toward a former client. The client hired him for $6,000, based on misrepresentations made by Vawter’s assistant. When the woman tried to hire a different lawyer, the assistant falsely told her she would get a longer sentence if she did not allow Vawter to represent her.

In 2000, Vawter and his assistant were charged in an 11-count indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice. Vawter faced five counts. The government alleged that Vawter’s assistant, often in his presence, presented himself as an experienced criminal defense attorney and made false promises to clients. He allegedly told them that release on bail and reduced sentences could be bought by influencing judges and prosecutors and, in some cases, through bribery.

The indictment further alleged that Vawter appeared in court for clients obtained fraudulently by his assistant, with whom he split legal fees. Further, the government said Vawter allowed clients to plead guilty without fully disclosing to the judges the false promises he and his assistant had made.

After a 10-day trial in which the jury deadlocked, Vawter pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor.

In mitigation, he had no prior record of discipline.