Law firm Jenner sues Sierra Leone for $8 million in legal fees

(Reuters) – Law agency Jenner & Block sued Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C., federal court to recuperate far more than $8 million in authorized costs for defending the West African nation in U.S. courts and elsewhere because 2019.

Chicago-dependent Jenner mentioned in its complaint on Tuesday that it “vigorously represented” Sierra Leone in legal matters towards an iron ore contractor pursuing promises that uncovered the nation to probably $1.8 billion in damages.

Jenner reported Sierra Leone settled the dispute favorably with no financial payment.

Sierra Leone compensated $3.6 million in service fees to Jenner for authorized operate involving 2019 and late 2021, the lawsuit claimed, leaving a stability of $8.1 million. The grievance claimed Sierra Leone orally agreed to pay out a lot more than what an engagement letter set out at the start out.

“This lawsuit is hence regrettably important since, even with the acknowledged credit card debt and attempts to pay out it, the Republic has only unsuccessful to act for above a year,” the complaint explained.

The agency reported it experienced created “recurring requests” for payment on the superb balance.

A consultant from Sierra Leone’s embassy in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday did not immediately respond to messages in search of comment.

A spokesperson for the 500-law firm Jenner on Wednesday declined to remark.

In 2021, Jenner recorded more than $465 million in gross revenue, according to industry publication The American Law firm. The company is amid the premier in the nation based mostly on revenue.

Sierra Leone retained Jenner in 2019 for do the job on a subject involving concessionaire Gerald Global Ltd. Sierra Leone claimed Gerald experienced breached its contract to take away and provide iron ore from mines.

Gerald challenged an purchase barring it from continuing to export iron ore from the nation.

The law firm’s engagement letter set an yearly flat fee of $1.5 million.

Jenner claimed the firm’s do the job for Sierra Leone “turned out to be much far more sophisticated and voluminous than either bash at first contemplated.”

The lawsuit alleged Sierra Leone acknowledged that added payment to the business was “necessary and acceptable.”

The circumstance is Jenner & Block v. The Republic of Sierra Leone, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, No. 1:22-cv-03599.

For plaintiff: Kali Bracey, David Jimenez-Ekman and Maria del Carmen Gonzalez of Jenner & Block

For defendant: No overall look but

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