On Thursday, July 10, 2025, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals disbarred attorney Vincent M. Amberly, a suspended member of the D.C. Bar with registration number 365590, from practicing law in the District, following the revocation of his law license by the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board. The court’s decision aligns with a recommendation from the Disciplinary Counsel, who proposed identical reciprocal discipline based on Virginia’s action.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Vincent M. Amberly,” with case no. 25-BG-0108.
On February 24, 2025, the D.C. Court of Appeals issued an order maintaining Amberly’s existing suspension and directed him to explain why the same discipline imposed in Virginia should not apply in the District. Amberly did not respond to the court’s order or submit an affidavit.
The court’s ruling establishes that Amberly’s disbarment in the District is effective immediately, with reinstatement contingent upon his reinstatement in Virginia. The decision cites precedents emphasizing that identical reciprocal discipline is standard unless exceptional circumstances exist, which Amberly did not demonstrate by failing to participate in the proceedings. The court further noted that Virginia’s revocation is equivalent to disbarment under D.C. law.
The Disposition states:
“It is ORDERED that Vincent M. Amberly is hereby disbarred from the practice of law in the District of Columbia with reinstatement conditioned upon reinstatement in Virginia.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Amberly was an antitrust and trade law attorney in Leesburg, Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia. He acquired his law license in D.C. in 1982.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
