LIBERIA STIFFS PROMINENT WASHINGTON LAW FIRM
Warren A. Fitch, a partner with Swidler, Berlin, Shereff & Friedman, a “K” Street law firm in Washington, D.C., said Tuesday that the Republic of Liberia owed his firm “slightly less” than $1 million in legal fees.
Swidler, Berlin is suing Liberia in federal court to recover its fees, earned during a year-long legal fight over the Liberian-flag shipping register that was settled out of court in 1999.
Fitch said there was no conflict of interest in the fact that Lester Hyman, chairman of the Liberia International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), is also affiliated with Swidler, Berlin, in the capacity “of counsel,” meaning that Hyman has an independent contract with the firm.