16-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
US lawyers for Co Kildare businessman Paul Wright to cease representation
Mr Wright's previous lawyers withdrew from representing him last month, also citing irreconcilable differences.
Raul Valles and Andrea Holder of Rocke McLean Sbar (RMS), a Florida law firm that specialises in business disputes, have now told a court in the state that they and the firm wish to cease representing Mr Wright, and two of his Irish firms, Eterna Private Clients Europe and Wright Private Office.
'Irreconcilable differences have unexpectedly arisen between RMS and defendants and, as a result, RMS is unable to continue representing defendants,' they have told the court. 'Due to these professional considerations, counsel and clients have mutually agreed to disengagement of RMS in this matter.'
The lawyers have asked for the matter to be expedited by the court in light of an upcoming hearing next week.
Mr Wright and two of his Dublin-based firms, Eterna Private Clients Europe and Wright Private Office, have been sued by a Florida company called TMCT, which is owned by Cherish Thompson.
Ms Thompson has claimed she was introduced to Mr Wright in London in 2020 and that her business is now owed at least $221,000 (€204,000) by the defendants.
Mr Wright, a UK national of Carton Demesne, Maynooth, Co Kildare, has been accused of using money raised from clients to fund a lavish lifestyle, including the use of a private jet and stays at luxury hotels. He has also been accused of using client funds to purchase a house for his son.
He and his firms have vigorously denied the claims.
'These proceedings have been instituted by an aggrieved former independent contractor to a UK company Mr Wright was involved with and which is currently in administration, and have absolutely nothing to do with Eterna Private Clients Europe DAC or Wright Private Office DAC,' Mr Wright's solicitor in Ireland said when the lawsuit was initiated last year.
Raul Valles, Andrea Holder and Rocke McLean Sbar have informed TMCT and Ms Thompson of their intention to cease representing Mr Wright and his two firms.
'Counsel for plaintiff does not oppose the withdrawal but will be filing a response due to her concern of delay,' court filings note.
