CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Squire Patton Boggs law firm, which was founded in Cleveland and still maintains a large presence downtown, is closing its Moscow office in response to Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
The firm said in a statement Wednesday that “it has become clear that it is no longer tenable for us to continue our operations in Russia” and that the office’s closure will end its relationship with a number of clients.
The work it does across the globe will comply with all sanctions – a key tool the U.S. and other European countries are using to punish Russia for the military attacks, the statement reads.
Sixteen of of the firm’s lawyers work in Moscow, a spokesman said. He would not divulge any company plans for those lawyers and supporting staff.
“Since the beginning of this crisis, our foremost focus has been on the safety of our colleagues, particularly in Moscow,” the statement says. “We will continue to provide them with the support they need and extend our sincere gratitude for their valuable contributions to the firm. The humanitarian and economic toll of this conflict continues to be severely distressing and we all continue to hope a peaceful resolution can be found.”
News reports across the country have detailed other large law firms and corporations taking or looking at taking similar steps as many countries seek to isolate Russia.
The firm was born out of the merger of the Cleveland-based Squire Sanders and Patton Boggs of Washington, D.C. Squire Patton Boggs has 1,500 attorneys across the country, 100 of which are based out of Key Tower on Public Square.
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