new strategies

Let’s See If Chris Armstrong Can Get Andrew Shirvell Disbarred!

Though University of Michigan student Chris Armstrong withdrew his petition for a protective order against Andrew Shirvell, he’s not bowing out of the legal fight against his adult bully just yet. His attorney filed a complaint with the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission against the Michigan assistant attorney general. If the commission accepts the complaint and rules in Armstrong’s favor, it has the power to disbar Shirvell.

“We just feel very strongly … that you can’t be a licensed attorney and an officer of the court and conduct yourself this way and essentially terrorize a college student,” says Armstrong’s counsel Deborah Gordon, who’s trying to put an end to to Shirvell’s months-long harassment campaign.

More hilariously, Gordon filed her own complaint against Shirvell as a member of the bar.

Armstrong filed the complaint on the grounds Shirvell has violated the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys “by making obviously false, disgusting and utterly outlandish allegations about Armstrong’s lifestyle,” Gordon said. The rule Shirvell is accused of violating says it’s professional misconduct for a lawyer to “engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or violation of the criminal law.”

Gordon herself filed a separate complaint against Shirvell, citing conduct rules that say a lawyer with knowledge that another lawyer is violating the rules shall inform the commission. She said she believes Shirvell is unfit to practice law. She released a copy of her complaint, but declined to release Armstrong’s complaint.

Disbarring Shirvell would mean he would be forced out of his job (whether he’s disciplined or not), or at least demoted to doing some paralegal grunt work. But you don’t need a license to practice law to continue harassing gay college students. [Detroit Free Press]

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated