International Law

UK Lawyer Who Made $25M in a Year is ‘Struck Off’ for Exploiting Clients

Last year, Jim Beresford made headlines as the United Kingdom’s highest-paid solicitor, having found a lucrative practice niche representing sick coal miners. Today, after a six-day hearing by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, he was struck off for taking advantage of his clients. Another attorney from his small law firm, Doug…

Dec 11, 2008 6:26 PM CST

Dire Situation at Dreier: Bills Unpaid, Client Funds Allegedly Missing

Just when it seemed that the alleged situation involving the founder of Dreier and his disintegrating 238-attorney law firm could hardly get much worse, even more bad news is being reported. After he was arrested and jailed in Toronto last week, Marc Dreier allegedly managed to transfer $10 million in…

Dec 10, 2008 10:06 PM CST

Pirate Attacks Keep Law Firm’s Hotline Ringing Off the Hook

What do you do when an oil tanker you own carrying cargo worth more than $100 million is hijacked by pirates on the high seas? You call your lawyer, of course. And such calls to a 24-hour hotline maintained by Holman Fenwick Willan, a London law firm specializing in maritime…

Dec 10, 2008 9:09 PM CST

Yale Sued by Peru Over Inca Artifacts

Upping the ante in negotiations over the potential return to the Republic of Peru of Inca artifacts obtained by an explorer affiliated with Yale University almost 100 years ago, the country has now sued the renowned educational institution in federal court. Although general counsel Dorothy Robinson says Yale is eager…

Dec 9, 2008 9:09 PM CST

How Attorney Marc Dreier Allegedly Sold Worthless Forged Paper for $113M

In an era of high-tech fraud, the founder of the Dreier law firm is accused of doing it the old-fashioned way. Using little more than his position and skills as a prominent and seasoned attorney, Marc Dreier allegedly tricked sophisticated investors into paying more than $100 million for worthless forged…

Dec 9, 2008 8:20 PM CST

New Federal Cybersecurity Plan Likely to Ignite Privacy Firestorm

A recommended plan by a bipartisan commission of technology experts to strengthen cybersecurity laws and create a new federal oversight post equivalent to the director of national security is likely to ignite a firestorm of debate over privacy issues. The cyber chief would report directly to the president and oversee…

Dec 8, 2008 10:24 PM CST

Dreier Founder Charged in ‘Brazen’ Alleged $100M Investment Fraud Attempt

The founder of the not quite 250-attorney Dreier law firm was charged today by federal prosecutors in Manhattan with securities and wire fraud, in connection with what an Securities and Exchange Commission official describes as an alleged “brazen” attempt to cheat three unnamed hedge funds out of $100 million. Marc…

Dec 8, 2008 8:09 PM CST

Singapore Welcomes Foreign Lawyers, Grants 6 Law Firm Licenses

Catching up to other Asian markets that have invited foreign lawyers to practice locally, Singapore is opening its doors to the legal profession by issuing licenses to practice to six Western law firms. In the past, law firms could only advise clients on Singapore law via joint ventures. But the…

Dec 5, 2008 2:50 PM CST

Court Strikes Down UK Law Allowing DNA Database of Innocent

Europe’s top human rights court has struck down a British law that allowed police to keep DNA profiles of those who were never convicted of a crime. The European Court of Human Rights ruled the law violates the right to a private life, the Associated Press reports. The decision could…

Dec 5, 2008 11:47 AM CST

LA Plaintiffs Firm Loses Chevron Suit Filed for Nigerian Protest Victims

A federal jury in San Francisco has ruled for Chevron in a case brought on behalf of Nigerian victims of a military shooting during a protest on the company’s oil rig. The plaintiffs had sued for damages under the Alien Tort Claims Act, the Recorder reports. They had sought damages…

Dec 2, 2008 1:25 PM CST

Thai Court Orders Ouster of Prime Minister Due to Vote Fraud

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has ordered the ouster of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat because of electoral fraud in voting last December. The ruling comes amid protests over voting irregularities that had shut down the country’s airports, the Washington Post reports. The court dissolved Thailand’s top three political parties, including Somchai’s party,…

Dec 2, 2008 11:42 AM CST

Biggest Litigators: Skadden, Cravath; Only 4 UK Firms in Top 50

Skadden is the top litigation firm, as far as overall revenue is concerned, and Cravath leads in litigation revenue per partner, according to a survey by a U.K. legal publication. Meanwhile, U.S.-based BigLaw firms dominate the field decisively: only four U.K.-based law firms are included in the top 50 litigation…

Nov 24, 2008 6:40 PM CST

Lackluster Growth at Linklaters Despite Lehman Bros. Work

Despite its high-profile role in the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, the magic circle London-based Linklaters law firm saw only a 3 percent increase in revenue during a six-month period ending Oct. 30. “The firm generated fee income of £653 million for the first six months to October 30, it announced today,…

Nov 24, 2008 5:59 PM CST

Former Mexican Drug Czar Got $450K to Keep Traffickers Informed, Authorities Say

In a continuing shakeup in high-echelon Mexican law enforcement, a former drug czar has been accused of being paid $450,000 by drug traffickers, in exchange for providing them with information about police operations. “Noe Ramirez is the highest law enforcement official detained yet as part of Mexico’s sweeping effort to…

Nov 21, 2008 5:44 PM CST

Add 11 UK Lawyers to Mayer Brown’s Attorney Layoff List

Add another 11 lawyers in Mayer Brown’s London office to the list of 33 attorneys here in the U.S. that the firm is nudging to the door. “In addition to lawyers who have left in the normal course of business, we have advised 11 lawyers and some support and administrative…

Nov 21, 2008 4:13 PM CST