Brad Pistotnik's Law Career: What's The Verdict?

Brad Pistotnik, a Wichita lawyer and principal owner of Bull Attorneys law firm, was suspended from practising law in 2022. Pistotnik pleaded guilty to three misdemeanour counts of accessory after the fact in an illegal cyber attack and extortion scheme to remove negative online reviews about him from websites. In February 2024, the Kansas Supreme Court lifted the suspension, allowing Pistotnik to practise law again.

Brad Pistotnik's law license suspension

Brad Pistotnik, the Wichita lawyer known for his flamboyant "Bull Attorney" persona, had his law license suspended by the Kansas Supreme Court in July 2022. The suspension was a result of his involvement in an illegal cyber attack and extortion scheme to remove negative online reviews about him from websites. Pistotnik, the principal owner of Bull Attorneys law firm, pleaded guilty in 2019 to three misdemeanor counts of being an accessory after the fact.

Prior to the Kansas suspension, Pistotnik had faced disciplinary action from the Oklahoma Supreme Court in November 2020. That court handed down a two-year-and-one-day suspension due to Pistotnik's failure to accept full responsibility for his conduct. He had claimed that he was an "innocent pawn" in a scheme perpetrated by a computer software engineer he hired to improve his online image.

The Kansas suspension, which lasted for one year, was lighter discipline compared to the earlier Oklahoma suspension. During this time, Pistotnik was absent from his firm's television commercials and billboard advertisements, which often featured him riding a longhorn steer or standing on a moving semi-truck.

In January 2024, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in favor of reinstating Pistotnik's license. The court accepted his petition for reinstatement, and a state disciplinary board found that he presented "clear and convincing evidence" for the suspension to be lifted. With the suspension lifted, Pistotnik is now free to resume practicing law in Kansas and has returned to his role as CEO of Bull Attorneys.

The Bull Attorney persona

Brad Pistotnik, also known as "The Bull", is a lawyer based in Wichita, Kansas, and the principal owner of Bull Attorneys law firm. Pistotnik is known for his flamboyant "Bull Attorney" persona, often appearing in television and billboard commercials for his firm dressed for trial and riding a longhorn steer or standing on top of a moving semi-truck.

In May 2022, Pistotnik's law license was suspended by the Kansas Supreme Court for his involvement in an illegal cyber attack and extortion scheme to remove negative online reviews about him and his firm from websites. He pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of accessory after the fact and was given a one-year suspension, which was extended by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to two years and one day as Pistotnik refused to take full responsibility for his actions. This was not the first time Pistotnik had been in trouble with the law, with records showing that this was the sixth time he had been disciplined by the state of Kansas in his 40-year career.

Pistotnik's suspension was lifted in February 2024, allowing him to practice law and return to his role as CEO of Bull Attorneys. A representative for the firm expressed excitement about Pistotnik's return, stating that he would be able to help their personal injury clients and provide excellent service across Kansas.

While Pistotnik's "Bull Attorney" persona and marketing tactics may have drawn criticism and controversy, his reinstatement indicates that he has presented sufficient evidence of his fitness to resume legal practice in Kansas.

Pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors

Wichita lawyer Brad Pistotnik pleaded guilty to three misdemeanour counts of accessory after the fact. The charges related to Pistotnik's involvement in an illegal cyber-attack and extortion scheme, where he attempted to remove negative online reviews about himself from various websites.

In 2019, Pistotnik admitted in federal court that he paid David Dorsett for "reputation management services". These services included sending a flood of emails to Leagle, RipoffReport, and Jaburg Wilk, threatening to target their advertisers if they did not remove negative information from their websites. Pistotnik initially denied knowing about the cyber-attacks, which took place in September 2014, but later admitted his involvement.

As a result of his guilty plea, Pistotnik was ordered to pay a fine of $375,000, $55,200 in restitution, and $300 to a crime victims fund. He did not serve any prison time or probation as part of the plea deal. Pistotnik also apologized to the Kansas Supreme Court and expressed that he wanted to take responsibility for his actions.

In addition to the financial penalties, Pistotnik's law license was suspended in 2022. However, this suspension was lifted in February 2024, allowing him to resume his practice in Kansas.

Reinstatement of license

Brad Pistotnik, the Wichita-based lawyer and principal owner of Bull Attorneys law firm, has had his license to practice law reinstated by the Kansas Supreme Court. Pistotnik's license was suspended in July 2022 for his role in an illegal cyber attack and extortion scheme to remove negative online reviews about him from websites. This was not the first time Pistotnik had been disciplined by the state of Kansas; in fact, this was the sixth time in his 40-year career.

In 2019, Pistotnik pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of accessory after the fact in relation to the cyber attack. The Kansas Supreme Court initially ruled that Pistotnik's license would be suspended for one year without a reinstatement hearing. This was a lighter discipline compared to the punishment handed down by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in November 2020, which was a suspension of two years and one day. The difference in severity was due to Pistotnik's refusal to accept full responsibility for his conduct, instead claiming that he "was an innocent pawn".

Following the one-year suspension, Pistotnik petitioned the Kansas Supreme Court for reinstatement in July 2023. A hearing panel was conducted in November 2023, and the panel recommended that the court grant his petition and reinstate his law license. The court accepted this recommendation and reinstated Pistotnik's license on January 19, 2024. In addition to reinstating his Kansas law license, the court ordered Pistotnik to pay all required reinstatement and registration fees to the Office of Judicial Administration and to complete all continuing legal education requirements.

With his license reinstated, Pistotnik has returned to Wichita and has resumed practicing law at Bull Attorneys, where he serves as CEO.

Reactions from other lawyers

The news of Brad Pistotnik's reinstated license to practice law in Kansas has sparked mixed reactions from lawyers and the public alike. On one hand, Tony L. Atterbury, President of Bull Attorneys, expressed excitement about Pistotnik's return to the firm, stating that Pistotnik will "instantly be able to help our personal injury clients by providing excellent service to injured people across the state of Kansas." This sentiment is reflected in Pistotnik's plans to resume practicing law immediately upon his return to Wichita, as shared by a representative for his law office.

However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. One Reddit user, whose uncle is a lawyer, described Pistotnik as a "scourge of the profession," indicating that he is "widely not respected by other lawyers." The user's father, who was also a lawyer, is said to have disliked Pistotnik as well. These negative opinions extend to Pistotnik's flamboyant "Bull Attorney" persona, which involves appearing in commercials atop a longhorn steer or on a moving semi-truck. Some Reddit users have described these commercials as "cringe" and "cheesy", with one commenter suggesting that hiring a PR person who came up with the "Bull" nickname and the idea of riding a bull in commercials was a "marketing idea."

The comments section also reveals a general lack of respect for Pistotnik among his peers. One user mentions that their lawyer uncle considers Pistotnik a "bottom-of-the-barrel ambulance chaser." Pistotnik's actions have also brought disrepute to the legal profession, as noted by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. This sentiment is echoed by another Reddit user, who states that no one in their town would consider letting Pistotnik represent them in court.

Overall, while there is relief and support for Pistotnik within his firm, the wider legal community and public appear to hold a less favorable view of him, with some expressing disdain and a lack of respect for both his professional conduct and his flamboyant persona.

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