Hard to find specialist knowledge, borne out of experience
It’s not often that a company can claim to be unique and then actually live up to that claim – but Bretton Woods Law can.
When Lee Marler and Neil Macaulay decided to set up Bretton Woods Law, they knew that from first hand experience that their specialist arena – International Organisations Law, was woefully under-represented not just nationally but internationally. So as well as making good commercial sense to set up this country’s first legal practice focusing solely on International Organisations Law, it would also offer those International Civil Servants with employment disputes or companies being accused of sanctionable practices relating to projects funded by Multilateral Development Banks, a vital lifeline.
Whilst working together before setting up Bretton Woods Law, Neil and Lee were working in a practice where International Organisations Law made up a part of what they offered. They were surprised by the increasing number of potential clients who came knocking on their door over this three year period, looking for robust legal advice in this specialist sector. International Civil Servants locked in employment disputes with their employers or heads of international companies involved with projects funded by Multilateral Development Banks faced with serious accusations of corruption or fraud, came in equal numbers. Hence it seemed a natural route forward, when they decided to set up on their own.
International Organisations and its associated law were not new fields for this pair, Lee with a Masters in International Law, worked inside International Organisations for over 10 years, whereas Neil worked as a lawyer in the Civil Service for seven years, so it seemed a natural fit. This experience gave them an understanding in how these organisations operate and more importantly an insight into the complex personalities of these often intimidating organisations. This valuable viewpoint is rare, if not unique, and it is this inside knowledge of the organisations and their characters that gives Bretton Woods Law and their clients an enviable advantage.
Bretton Woods Law’s mantra is: “To represent clients without fear or favour” and of course to provide every client with first class legal advice. It is this ‘human’ aspect that both Neil and Lee feel is as important as the professional role they offer their clients. They have a passion for defending their clients, whatever there professional status – a secretary from an International Organisation will receive the same level of professional and emotional guidance as a CEO of an international company facing sanctions from a Multilateral Development Bank. Lee and Neil put this passion down to having lived and worked abroad for so many years and dealing with people who feel lost and don’t know which way to turn, they were both officers in the army and spent many years helping soldiers with the idiosyncrasies of the country, practices and culture they were stationed in, as well as its associated law practices.
Equalling their client focus is their all embracing knowledge of every aspect of the multifaceted arena of International Organisations Law. Members of Bretton Woods Law have two primary strands to their practices, firstly representing companies facing possible sanctions, including debarment or more serious repercussions by Multilateral Development Banks, as a result of an investigation into or an allegation of engaging in sanctionable practices (e.g. fraud and corruption). Secondly, an in-depth knowledge of International Administrative Law, which is the employment law that operates between International Civil Servants and their employer, means they are well placed to tackle and resolve any HR issues facing International Civil Servants. At first glace these two quite distinct areas seem unconnected, not so say Lee and Neil – in fact quite the opposite. They believe they complement each other, as they are always defending people who are suffering, professionally and personally, as a result of the decisions made by and within an International Organisation – and the uniting factor – Members of Bretton Woods Law are always there to defend them.
Defending their clients in front of these boards, committees and tribunals is of course why people come to Bretton Woods Law, as often clients have approached local legal providers and have been turned away. As it is not a commonly known area of law, they may have no one working in the practice that, for example, truly understands International Administrative Law and all the privileges and immunities the law affords the International Organistaions. So whom do they turn to?
Well members of Bretton Woods Law of course.
So back to the original question, “Why did you set up Bretton Woods Law”?
Answer: “Because we truly believe that there is no other grouping of lawyers who can truly defend people who find themselves in the situations that our clients do, and that could be described a basic breach of their human rights and that in everyone’s minds at Bretton Woods Law is unacceptable.”
If you are an International Civil Servant or facing accusations of corruption or fraud, related to a project funded by an Multilateral Development Bank and don’t know where to find the legal help you need, please click here to find you nearest office.
