Michael Downey has joined Armstrong Teasdale's Clayton office as a partner in its litigation practice group, the company announced Monday in a news release.

Downey provides guidance on legal ethics and discipline to law firms and accounting firms, and he also defends them against such actions as malpractice claims, the release states. He teaches legal ethics at Saint Louis University and Washington University, where he also teaches law firm practice.

He has worked with businesses such as Shell Oil Company and GlaxoSmithKline, is a frequent contributor to publications such as St. Louis Lawyer and is the author of the 2010 book Introduction to Law Firm Practice.

Downey holds a law degree from Washington University. He graduated first in his class. He also holds a bachelor's in classics from Georgetown University.

He previously worked at a national law firm.