On Monday, March 9, 2026, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals suspended attorney Tristan Wade Gillespie on an interim basis, following disciplinary actions imposed by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. This recent suspension adds to Gillespie’s legal troubles, stemming from a series of misconduct allegations and disciplinary measures.
Gillespie’s legal issues first surfaced in New York, where the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department, suspended him from practicing law for one year, beginning February 11, 2025. This suspension was the result of a disciplinary proceeding initiated by the Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department, which found Gillespie guilty of multiple violations related to his conduct in several legal cases.
The New York case centered around Gillespie’s involvement in approximately 600 “tester” cases filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against various hotels. These cases were intended to address alleged deficiencies in disability access. However, Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland raised concerns about Gillespie’s honesty in court, prompting an investigation into his practices.
A formal hearing conducted by a three-judge panel revealed that Gillespie misrepresented the amount of time he spent on his cases in fee petitions. He also provided misleading information about his employment status to justify increased fees, claiming that ADA cases negatively impacted his ability to secure work. However, evidence presented during the hearing showed that he was employed as an Assistant District Attorney during this time.
The panel further determined that Gillespie displayed a lack of candor in court by failing to correct misleading testimony from a paid investigator, who was also described as a friend and travel companion. Gillespie’s inconsistent explanations regarding his billing practices and contradictory statements were cited as additional grounds for disciplinary action.
Moreover, the panel found that Gillespie misled opposing counsel into believing that his clients had incurred attorneys’ fees and costs that were, in fact, not applicable due to a side agreement he had with them. His fee demands were found to be inflated and did not reflect the actual time spent on the cases. Gillespie also presented settlement options that included work he admitted to never having performed.
Initially, the panel recommended a four-month suspension, which was approved by the court on August 7, 2024. However, the Attorney Grievance Committee subsequently sought a longer suspension of one year based on similar disciplinary actions taken against Gillespie by the federal court in Maryland.
In the reciprocal discipline proceedings, Gillespie had the opportunity to present defenses, including claims of lack of notice or an opportunity to be heard, but these were deemed insufficient. The court found that he had received proper notice and had defended himself adequately during the original proceedings.
Ultimately, the New York Appellate Court concluded that Gillespie’s conduct warranted a one-year suspension, emphasizing that he had repeatedly submitted false fee applications and made misleading statements during settlement negotiations. The court’s order mandates that Gillespie refrain from practicing law in any capacity during the suspension period, which will remain in effect until further notice.
According to Avvo, Mr. Gillespie is an attorney in Johns Creek, Georgia. He acquired his law license in DC in 2016.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
