GOVERNMENT OPPOSES INDEPENDENT ETHICS OPINION IN ZARRAB CASE

The US Attorney's Office has expressed its objections to the use of an independent ethics opinion, in the Reza Zarrab Iran sanctions case, regarding whether there is a Conflict of Interest regsrding defense counsel, who also represent several victim banks. In a letter to the Court, the Government requests the Court to reconsider, or in the alternative, to stay its order, and has advised that it will fully brief the issue, in a memorandum of law to be filed on December 21st.

The Government did cite to a Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision, Bernstein vs. Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman LLP, which it asserts disapproves of reliance of legal ethics experts, and also cited other authorities, in support of its argument.