Alerts

Warning: Website claiming to be a law firm called 'Piers & Hoffman Law Firm'

8 December 2023

A website at 'piersnhoffmanlawfirm.com' is operating and falsely claiming to be a law firm.

What is the scam?

The website seen by the SRA is operating claiming to be a law firm. The website misuses images from the website of a genuine firm of solicitors (please see below).

The website lists 'Henry Hoffman', 'Franklin Piers', 'Albert Jenson' and 'Finn Blake' as being partners of the firm. It also provides the email address of 'assist@piersnhoffmanlawfirm.com' and the telephone number of '+447537169117'.

The SRA has been informed that 'Piers & Hoffman Law Firm' has approached individuals in the USA in relation to the alleged administration of an English Estate.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Piers & Hoffman Law Firm'.

The SRA also does not authorise and regulate solicitors called Henry Hoffman', 'Franklin Piers', 'Albert Jenson' and 'Finn Blake'.

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'assist@piersnhoffmanlawfirm.com', the telephone number of '+447537169117' and the website of ''Piers & Hoffman Law Firm' or the partners listed (including 'Henry Hoffman', 'Franklin Piers', 'Albert Jenson' and 'Finn Blake') is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA has been informed that some of the photographs of the individuals referred to above are photographs of genuine solicitors employed by the genuine firm of Jones Day.

The genuine firm of Jones Day have confirmed they have no genuine connection to the above website.

What should I do?

When a firm's or individual's identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means. You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual's or firm's practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.