Alerts
Warning: Email misusing the name of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP purporting to be from 'Douglas J Clark'
7 July 2026
An email was sent purporting to be from 'Douglas J Clark' of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP in relation to audio copyright issues.
What is the scam?
The SRA has seen an email sent to a member of the public from 'Douglas J Clark', purporting to represent a genuine firm of solicitors (see details below).
The email was sent in relation to an audio copyright matter, asks the recipient to remove the audio content and states that failure to comply would lead to 'formal legal proceedings'.
The email was sent from the email address 'dupontryan02066@gmail.com'.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor named 'Douglas J Clark'.
Any business or transaction through the above email address is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP (SRA ID 447895). The genuine firm uses the email domain @shepwedd.com and their head office address is 9 Haymarket, Edinburgh, EH3 8FY.
The genuine firm has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the email and email address referred to in the above alert and it does not employ a member of staff called 'Douglas J Clark'.
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.
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