Prince Andrew hires top Hollywood lawyer to fight sex assault case
Prince Andrew has enlisted a hotshot Hollywood lawyer in a bid to get his sexual abuse lawsuit thrown out.
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Prince Andrew has enlisted a hotshot Hollywood lawyer in a bid to get his sexual abuse lawsuit thrown out.
Hours before a phone conference with his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s team, it’s been confirmed that US legal eagle Andrew B Brettler will represent the royal.
Brooklyn Law School alumnus Mr Brettler is based in LA, with an office an hour-and-a-half from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Montecito home.
He was named in The Hollywood Reporter’s 2019 Power Lawyers and Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys, and two years ago was named one of Southern California’s ‘super lawyers’ by trade publications.
The expert, a senior partner with firm Lavely & Singer, specialises in media and entertainment litigation and employment law.
He represents actor Armie Hammer, who has been accused of rape.
He also took on a number of cases after the #MeToo movement, and has represented Danny Masterson of That 70s Show, singer Ryan Adams and performer Chris Brown.
His appointment to Prince Andrew’s legal team comes after it was reported just yesterday that US lawyers for Andrew would stonewall tonight’s hearing altogether.
The Sun understands that a U-turn on that decision was “very last-minute and 11th-hour”.
However, the Prince hopes to get the case thrown out on a technicality, it’s understood.
Andrew plans to challenge the US court’s jurisdiction. He will also contest that he was properly served with the lawsuit.
His accuser’s lawyers insist he has been served court papers in accordance with English and international law.
They say a copy of the summons was left with police at the gate of Windsor Royal Lodge on August 27.
However, Gary Bloxsome, representing Andrew, claims correct procedure was not followed.
He says the papers should be served through a British court official.
At the hearing, Manhattan federal court judge Lewis Kaplan will ask Ms Robert’s legal team to detail their efforts to serve Andrew, 61, with the papers.
He will then decide whether enough has been done to deliver the papers.
Hollywood lawyer hired
In a notice submitted to the court today by the royal‘s legal team, it’s confirmed that lawyer Mr Brettler “enters this special appearance on behalf of Prince Andrew”.
He will attend the pre-trial hearing “for the purpose for contesting purported service of process and challenging jurisdiction”.
Ms Giuffre. then kniown as Virginia Roberts, claims she was trafficked by Andrew‘s former friend and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with the Prince.
At the time of the allegation, she says she was 17 – a minor under US law.
Experts say the civil case could take years to reach its conclusion.
Ms Giuffre may have to wait until 2024 before she has her day in court and is able to repeat her allegations before a judge.
She is seeking unspecified damages but there is speculation the sum could be in the millions of dollars.
Delays predicted
David Greene, a senior partner with law firm Edwin Coe, said about the final trial: “I‘d been surprised if it took place next year and I’d be surprised if it took place the year after, 2023.
“It‘s a highly complex issue and I think it will take quite some time to come in front of the court.”
Andrew, who vehemently denies the accusation, took part in a shooting party yesterday.
He hosted guests at the Queen’s private 550-acre Balmoral estate despite the legal challenge facing him.
Those invited to the Scottish retreat are thought to have included the Crown Prince of Bahrain, 51, who is linked to human rights abuses in his home country.
He hosted the gathering as The Sun revealed Ms Giuffre’s lawyers claim they have secured the testimony of two key witnesses who say they saw Andrew with her on two separate occasions.
The Prince stated in a disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019 that he had “no recollection” of meeting Ms Roberts.
Fury at palace
He told Emily Maitlis: “I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened.”
Royal aides are said to be furious he fled his Windsor home last week and arrived at his mum’s summer home.
They fear it makes it look to Brits as if the monarch is harbouring him.
“This is so brazen it is unbelievable,” one royal source said last night.
“Prince Andrew is carrying on like nothing has happened and as if he hasn’t got a care in the world.
“It has been bad enough that he appears to have been seeking refuge at Balmoral, where the Queen is trying to have quiet time after a tough year, but to host a shooting party – with some dubious guests – shows disrespect to the monarchy.
“And it is also tone deaf as if he does not care about what is going on with the legal case.”
A spokesman for Andrew has refused to comment.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
Originally published as Prince Andrew hires top Hollywood lawyer to fight sex assault case
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