Yes, Google Contact are in its beta phase, the API is not complete along with it exchange/SyncML protocol which also have problems. EM Client at the moment (have not tried ver 3.5.12280 yet) also have it own problem with Google Contact in its way of localization with Google Contact. If you are using syncing (which you are), I would suggest to avoid using sync with eM, or which ever is more important. Unfortunately this is a problem of both eM and Google, and need to be addressed by both parties. Though the Google Sync itself has much more problem need to be addressed.
Ok thanks. I least I have access to my Google contacts from within eM which is important to me. I will make sure I keep editing my contacts on my Droid or directly on the Google web site.