Lawyer of the Day

Lawyer of the Day: Former Pillsbury Associate Doesn't Know His Place

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In these tough economic times, I’m sure many people have been tempted to sightly exaggerate their credentials, experience, and competence.
But you shouldn’t lie exaggerate to clients. At least not if you want to be a member of the bar in good standing. The National Law Journal reports that a former Pillsbury associate is getting his law license pulled for 60 days:

A former Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman associate who told clients that he was senior counsel at the law firm will have his license pulled for 60 days.
A District of Columbia attorney disciplinary committee has recommended that Garland H. Stillwell hand over his license for misrepresenting his employment status at the Washington firm.

But there were other aggravating circumstances to Stillwell’s case:

The committee also found that Stillwell charged personal expenses to Pillsbury Winthrop’s pro bono accounts and represented a client in a matter that created a potential conflict of interest within the firm without disclosing it or seeking a waiver.

Stillwell is not at Pillsbury anymore. That’s hardly surprising.
But he is still employed at a law firm. Let’s check-in after the jump.


The NLJ reports where Stillwell currently draws a paycheck:

Stillwell did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment. He is listed as an associate on the Web site of O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore in Calverton, Md.

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On the O’Malley website, Stillwell is listed under the Administrative Law Practice Group. Stillwell’s bio is sparse on interesting details, but we learn that he graduated from Howard in 1985, received a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1988.
A guy who graduated from law school 21 years ago? Maybe Stillwell thought he should be a senior counsel?
Obviously, we don’t have all the details on this situation. At some level, given Stillwell’s transgressions, his punishment seems light.
We reached out to O’Malley’s managing director, John P. Davey. He has not responded to our requests for comment.
In the meantime, remember that exaggerating aspects about your personality is one thing, but when it comes to the resume you should probably stick to the facts.
60-Day Suspension for Associate Who Inflated His Job Title [National Law Journal]

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