AJC: Bishop Eddie Long - Opposing Lawyers Differ in Style

By Bill Torpy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

One is a pugnacious former federal prosecutor whose name is often followed by “no comment” in news stories; the other, a media darling who notched a victory in one of the most high-profile cases in recent Georgia history

As they go about their jobs as attorneys for the defendant and plaintiffs in the Bishop Eddie Long lawsuits, Craig Gillen and B.J. Bernstein have employed differing lawyering styles as they try to shape the cases in the court of public opinion and in a DeKalb County courtroom.

Almost two weeks ago, Bernstein stood in front of a row of TV cameras and told the world about a lawsuit she had just filed against the popular pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The suit alleges Long had engaged in sexual misdeeds with teenagers who saw him as a father figure.

Not only had she packed her lawsuits with lurid details, but she provided the public with gripping and damning sound bites to emphasize her allegations. “This is at the church, which reinforces how absolutely negligent and wrong and abusive and sick,” she paused, her voice dripping with disgust at the last word, “for a pastor to abuse these kids in this way.”

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The case immediately exploded into a national story. Gillen, who had advised Long in 2007 when Congress investigated the finances of several mega-church pastors, was left to play defense and try to contain the quickly growing damage.

Long, who has vowed to vigorously fight the charges, was set to go on the national Tom Joyner radio show. But Gillen pulled the plug. The bishop was paying handsomely for Gillen’s advice, legal observers say, and it was simple: Button it.

Instead, to the frustration of Joyner and a national audience eager to hear Long, Gillen took the microphone. “I’m the one to blame” for Long not appearing, he said. “I’m the lawyer.” He added, “25,000 good folks are under attack, along with the bishop.”

Asked by the host if Bernstein had any settlement offer before the suit was filed, Gillen responded, “The only communication I’ve had with B.J. Bernstein was when I wrote her a letter and told her that her conduct is in violation of state bar rules for making statements outside the province of the court system after a lawsuit has been filed.”

Gillen’s legal style was forged in the tightly regimented halls of federal courts where judges frown on lawyers courting cameras. “I’ve always been a believer these cases should be tried in the courtroom, not in the press,” he said in a short interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dwight Thomas, another high-profile Atlanta attorney, and William Hill are joining in Long’s defense.

Bernstein, a frequent legal commentator on CNN, has often taken on high-profile clients and, according to her website, guided them through “the maze of media inquiries when a case becomes part of the public discussion.” Her site touts appearances on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” NBC’s “Today Show,” CBS’ “Early Show,” ABC’s “Primetime Live,” MSNBC, CNN, CNN International, Fox News, Court TV and “NBC Nightly News.”

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