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Giles George forms strategic alliance with leading UK, US defamation firms
Prominent Australian reputational risk law firm Giles George is entering into a strategic alliance with leading defamation practices from the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively: Schillings, which represented the Duchess of Sussex, and Clare Locke, which represented Dominion against Fox News.
Jerome Doraisamy
Image credit: Giles George
In a joint statement, Giles George, Schillings, and Clare Locke unveiled a new strategic alliance, which will see the three firms join forces to give clients global access to their expertise in managing reputation, privacy, and security.
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Schillings is a UK-headquartered firm, founded in the mid-80s, whose notable clients include Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, J.K. Rowling, and Lance Armstrong. Clare Locke, founded in 2014, represented Dominion Voting Systems in its seismic victory over Fox News, which saw a US$787.5 million settlement in April of last year.
The alliance, while not a formal merger, will broaden the geographic reach of the respective firms’ leaders, offer global capabilities to clients, and enable effective “follow the sun” client service coverage, working together with best-in-class operators in key international hubs, the statement noted.
It is occurring against the backdrop, the firms explained, “in a world in which reputation is being increasingly weaponised”, with privacy threats, smear campaigns, and the spread of mis- and disinformation, requiring “ever-more sophisticated solutions”.
Speaking about the new strategic alliance, Giles George founders Rebekah Giles and Patrick George said: “We have always believed that the law is one part of a much bigger picture.
“Our clients increasingly demand a multidisciplinary approach to helping them navigate high-stakes threats and opportunities. By working in partnership with Schillings and Clare Locke, we are excited to offer our clients unparalleled international reach and a unique breadth of skills to meet their reputation, privacy, and security needs.”
Schillings chief executive David Imison added: “We are very proud to announce this partnership with Clare Locke and Giles George. When it comes to reputation, privacy and security, the stakes have never been higher. This new partnership will deliver an unrivalled set of global capabilities to our clients.”
Clare Locke co-founder Tom Clare noted: “Effectively safeguarding the reputation of prominent individuals and businesses has never been more complex, nor more far-reaching. Polarised politics and media create existential challenges for our clients.”
Fellow co-founder Libby Locke said: “Joining forces with Schillings and Giles George is the logical next step in Clare Locke’s ability to defend the rights and reputations of individuals and businesses wherever they are in the world.”
