Alerts

Warning: Telephone call falsely claiming to be from Jessica Walker of Latham & Watkins (London) LLP

10 March 2023

A telephone call to a member of the public misusing the name of Jessica Walker of Latham & Watkins (London) LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that a telephone call has been made to a member of the public in the USA, falsely claiming to be from 'Jessica Walker' of 'Latham & Watkins (London) LLP' (see below). We understand the call was supposedly in relation to a threat of legal action.

We understand that the telephone call was made from a number appearing to originate from Dallas, USA and starting with '469-925'.

Any business or transaction through a telephone number starting '469-925' and appearing to originate in Dallas, USA is not undertaken by the genuine solicitor referred to.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Latham & Watkins (London) LLP. The genuine telephone number for the firm is 020 7710 1000.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Jessica Walker who is employed at Latham & Watkins (London) LLP.

The genuine firm of Latham & Watkins (London) LLP has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine Jessica Walker have any connection to the telephone call referred to in the above alert.

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 (eg. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.