On behalf of Pines Federal, I would like to take a moment to remember a friend and colleague, Mr. Robert R. McGill, who passed away earlier this month due to an unexpected illness.
He was a pioneer in representing OPM disability retirement applications. When I first began working on applications 15 years ago, Mr. McGill was one of the only attorneys working in the field—a trailblazer who examined every possible issue related to disability retirement and federal employment. He was the go-to attorney for anything related to complex OPM disability applications who I always respected for his knowledge in our field. Whenever I had a question about a disability application or was stuck on a legal issue, Mr. McGill graciously gave his time, knowledge, and advice. Despite being a great competitor, he was also a great friend.
From the very beginning of his career, Mr. McGill demonstrated legal excellence. He studied Philosophy at the Catholic University of America and graduated at the top of his class in 1983. He then attended law school at the Columbus School of Law, graduating in 1988. After graduation, Mr. McGill dedicated over 30 years of his life to practicing federal administrative law, making an indelible impact on the legal profession and the lives of his clients. Over the course of his extensive years of practice, he represented thousands of federal employees, primarily federal disability retirement matters. Before long, he was widely recognized as a talented and knowledgeable administrative law practitioner.
Mr. McGill enjoyed a reputation not only for his exceptional legal expertise, but also for his kind and compassionate nature. He approached his work with a sense of joy and professionalism that earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and clients alike. Among his many achievements, he received the prestigious Client Champion Platinum award from Martindale-Hubbell in both 2018 and 2019. His commitment to treating everyone he encountered with respect was inspiring to all who knew him.
As I reflect on Mr. McGill’s life and legacy, I cannot help but feel grateful for the many years he spent sharing his legal knowledge with me and demonstrating his commitment to helping federal employees. His tireless work on behalf of his clients and his unwavering dedication to upholding the principles of justice and fairness is something I will always remember. With his help, hundreds of federal employees were able to enjoy financial security during their retirements.
Mr. McGill’s passing is a great loss to his family, friends, and the legal profession. However, his example of professional excellence and compassionate service will continue to inspire and guide me for years to come. I am thankful to have worked hand-in-hand with him throughout the years and value the tremendous impact he had on our field and my career.
Rest in peace, Robert. You will be deeply missed.