Charles Stillman, senior counsel at Ballard Spahr (Photo: David Handschuh/NYLJ)

We are honored to have worked for decades with Charles Stillman, a recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Law Journal. Charlie is, without dispute, a dean of the New York Bar. His reputation as a tough but compassionate trial lawyer has made him one of the most recognized white-collar criminal defense attorneys in the city. In addition to his outstanding career, Charlie has used his time and considerable talents to mentor scores of lawyers, give back to people and organizations in need, and elevate the New York legal community.

Charlie's legal career began more than five decades ago. After completing night school at New York University School of Law and serving as courtroom bailiff during the day, Charlie clerked for the Hon. Irving R. Kaufman in both the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In 1962, he joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District. During his tenure, under U.S. Attorney Robert Morgenthau, he tried numerous cases, including major tax and securities fraud prosecutions, and argued many appeals before the Second Circuit.

In 1977, Charlie and Julian W. Friedman opened Stillman & Friedman, a Manhattan-based boutique firm focused on white-collar defense and complex civil litigation. Charlie often said he took a long view of the New York legal market, and the firm became one of New York City's finest litigation boutiques by prioritizing careful, thoughtful legal work and respectful client service. Ballard Spahr shares those values, and the two firms joined forces in 2013.

Over the course of his career, Charlie has handled an impressive number of high-profile and high-stakes litigations. He has represented Fortune 500 corporations and other major international business entities, CEOs and senior corporate officers, political figures, cabinet officials, and controlling stockholders of privately held organizations. He has appeared before numerous courts both in and outside New York, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), the New York Stock Exchange, and the National Association of Securities Dealers (now the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA). He has also handled scores of matters that never made the news because he was able to convince prosecutors why their theories were flawed (or why their discretion should be exercised against bringing a case) before charges were filed.

In just a small sampling of his headline-grabbing cases, Charlie represented:

• American Media Inc. (AMI)—publisher of The National Enquirer—in securing a non-prosecution agreement after its $150,000 payment to President Trump's alleged mistress Stormy Daniels to buy the rights to her story.
• José Maria Marin—former head of Brazil's soccer federation—on charges of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering in the FIFA scandal.
• Sol Wachtler—former Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals—who was charged with extortion, racketeering, and blackmail.
• Clark Clifford—former U.S. Secretary of Defense and adviser to five U.S. presidents—during the BCCI bank scandal.
• Mark Swartz, the former Chief Financial Officer of Tyco, in connection with charges of corporate misconduct brought about by the New York County District Attorney.
• The Rev. Sun Myung Moon—founder and leader of the Unification Church—in his tax evasion and conspiracy trial.
• KPMG in its sweeping tax shelter criminal case.

What cannot be reflected in his impressive list of high-profile legal cases are the scores of younger attorneys he inspired, mentored, and challenged to grow. Many of Charlie's former associates have gone on to high-profile roles at U.S. Attorney offices, the SEC, the New York City Law Department, academia (including the current Dean of St. John's University Law School), and district attorneys' offices.

Even with the demands of a successful legal practice, Charlie found time year after year to give back to his community. In recognition of his pivotal role in the creation of the Anti-Defamation Leagues Lawyers Division—and his decades of service—he received the League's Founders Award. He has volunteered with the Legal Aid Society of New York and the New York Police Athletic League. For many years, he organized the annual legal luncheon for American Friends of the Hebrew University, which remains an important fundraiser, and he was one of the founders of the New York Council of Defense Lawyers (NYCDL), which fosters dialogue between prosecutors, the bench, and defense lawyers. It is the largest regional association of white-collar lawyers in the country.

Charlie has left an indelible mark on the New York legal industry and the practice of law. As a community of professionals, we are all better thanks to the contributions he has made so tirelessly over a half-century of service.

Marjorie Peerce is a partner, Julian Friedman is senior counsel and James Mitchell is a partner at Ballard Spahr.