Dentons US LLP and Boies Schiller Flexner LLP are actively seeking to have a lawsuit dismissed in a federal court, which accuses them of being involved in a fraudulent scheme. The litigation, filed by former client Frank Corsini, revolves around an energy plant deal in Senegal. According to allegations, both law firms failed to properly advise Corsini on the validity of a Senegalese contract and purportedly intended to embezzle funds.
In a bid to have the case thrown out, Dentons and Boies Schiller have filed motions in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. They argue that the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) claims are implausible and that the state law claims have no basis, as they fall outside the statute’s intended scope. The argument posits that the litigation alone should not serve as a predicate act under RICO.
The origins of the dispute trace back to Corsini’s involvement with the Senegalese energy project, where the firms allegedly contributed to mishandling contractual aspects. Further insights into the litigation reveal complex legal arguments concerning the applicability and interpretation of RICO in such disputes.
This case highlights the intricate nature of law firm-client relationships, particularly in cross-border transactions involving substantial financial stakes and technicalities in contract legality.