One Bad Day Can Adversely Affect A Career

The Delaware Supreme Court has ordered a 15-month suspension of an attorney retroactive to the date of his interim suspension.

The Court has considered the matter carefully. Vavala admitted the ethical violations alleged in the ODC’s petition against him. The Board carefully considered Vavala’s ethical violations, his knowing state of mind, the potential injury and actual injury, the presumptive sanction, and all of the applicable aggravating and mitigating factors. Under the circumstances, we find the Board’s recommendation of a 15-month suspension to be appropriate. We therefore accept the Board’s findings and recommendation for discipline.

The attorney pleaded guilty to criminal charges of carrying a concealed dangerous instrument, driving under the influence and illegal possession of Adderall. 

The incident took place on April 24, 2018.

The attorney – admitted in 2015 – went to a party after work and then to two Trolley Square bars and then to Famous Joe’s, from where he departed about 2 am.

He was stopped on the way home. On the floor of his car were two loaded weapons for which he did not have a permit. 

He testified that he is an “avid target shooter” and had failed to follow his usual procedure of removing the ammunition because he was in a hurry to get to work. 

There was a significant amount of favorable testimony as to his abilities as a lawyer and general good character.

He was a part of a team defending a Wilmington Trust criminal defendant that was working long hours when the crimes occurred. 

He also is participating in addiction recovery treatment.

AP reported on his interim suspension. (Mike Frisch)