Lawyer Team Removed for ‘Troubling’ Lack of Loyalty, Judge Says

• Judge explains disqualification of Pillsbury team in Education protest • Firm should have known companies’ interests could diverge, judge says • New counsel request approved for protester

A contract protest team from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP violated its duty of loyalty to the winner of a $400 million contract by representing a rival seeking to get that award vacated, which demanded the team’s disqualification, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims said.

Representing Continental Service Group Inc. in a protest of Performant Recovery Inc.'s award—despite Pillsbury having represented Performant in other matters since 2011—created a “troubling” conflict of interest, Judge ...