The Ivory Coast Bar Association has made good on threats to sue U.S. law firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe for opening an office in the West Africa country.
Orrick launched its new office last month as the affiliated Orrick RCI. The Bar Association followed by issuing a declaration saying the firm broke the rules, The Lawyer reported.
Speaking to The Lawyer last week, association spokesperson and lawyer Chantal Bokola said the bar had taken the case to the minister of justice and was awaiting a response. Bokola added the association had no intention of dropping proceedings, and would go to the courts if need be.
Bokola called Orrick’s actions a veiled attempt at opening its on office, which not allowed. Foreign firms can not establish offices in the Ivory Coast, and lawyers admitted to other bars are not allowed to practise in the country.
