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December 16, 2010
Conflict of interest? A law firm works for NYCRC, promotes "very exciting NBA arena project" in China, represents investors, won't answer questions
Part 13 of a series
Atlantic Yards Report
Crucial to the "Brooklyn Arena and Infrastructure Project" is Ithaca, NY, law firm Miller Mayer, a leading law firm in the narrow field of immigration investment.
Miller Mayer wears multiple hats regarding the project. It works directly for the New York City Regional Center (NYCRC), filing paperwork with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency overseeing the immigrant investor program.
Miller Mayer lawyers have helped the NYCRC recruit investor clients in China, while a NYCRC rep has called the firm "our preferred immigration attorney." It also represents such NYCRC clients in their applications to the USCIS.
While that could pose a conflict of interest, as described below, the firm wouldn't respond to my questions about how it safeguards against such a conflict.
I suspect that firm avoids conflict, following State Bar rules, by informing its clients of its roles and having them sign consent statements.
But the firm's performance still poses questions, especially since overseas clients likely have trouble getting independent information about the Brooklyn Arena and Infrastructure Project.
Posted by eric at December 16, 2010 11:10 AM