Sweet Jesus, folks, that is one of the things that members of a law firm do -- indeed, it is one of the reasons that lawyers band together in law firms, so that they have multiple individuals with different areas of expertise with whom to consult. It is standard practice -- and for anyone to complain about this (or the clients other partners brought to the firm) is rather absurd.

A little over three years after Pan Am Flight 103 blew up over Lockerbie, Scotland, Fred D. Thompson provided advice to a colleague about one of his law firmÂ’s new clients: The man representing the two Libyan intelligence officials charged in the terrorist bombing.

The colleague, John Culver, a partner at the Washington firm of Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn began advising the two suspects’ Libyan lawyer in February 1992. Mr. Thompson, according to a memorandum from that era written by his secretary, held “discussions with Culver re: Libya” that same month.

At the time, Libya was facing international outrage for refusing to comply with a United Nations demand that the two suspects be extradited to the West for trial in the 1988 bombing, which killed 270 people. Revelations that American firms were representing Libyan interests provoked a furor among the Pan Am victimsÂ’ families. Some law firms refused to represent the country or the suspects, while others withdrew.

The involvement of Mr. Thompson, who worked part-time for Arent Fox as a lawyer and lobbyist from 1991 until shortly before his election to the Senate in 1994, never became public. But Arent FoxÂ’s chairman, Marc L. Fleischaker, confirmed that Mr. Thompson, who is now seeking the Republican presidential nomination, briefly provided Mr. Culver with advice about the suspectsÂ’ case, billing the firm for 3.3 hours of his time.

Imagine that -- less than four hours on how to get the Libyans to allow these folks to be extradited while ensuring that they would get a fair trial. I've no doubt that there are some Italian firms doing work for the US government regarding the charges growing out of that hostage rescue SNAFU a couple of years ago. Like in this case, you need experts in the laws of a particular nation in order to bring some resolution to the situation.

Really, folks, there is nothing to see here -- just move along.

Posted by: Greg at 09:24 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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