DETROIT — Toronto-based law firm Gowling Lafleur Henderson is being sued by Ambassador Bridge owner and trucking mogul Manuel “Matty” Moroun in U.S. District Court.

According to the Detroit News, bridge execs say the Canadian law firm has jeopardized the Ambassador Bridge’s plan to build a second six-lane span across the Detroit River because one of the firm’s partners is also representing the bridge’s opponents to the plan in Windsor, Ont.

Ambassador execs say a law firm hired to secure funding
for a twin span was also batting for the other side

The law partner named in the suit, environmental expert David Estrin, has asked U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds to dismiss the suit.

According to court records, the lawsuit claims the law firm is in a conflict on interest and accuses Estrin of legal malpractice and breach of contract and fiduciary duties.

“A lot of firms work for the city, but when you take out a sword and try to hurt me, it’s a problem,” Dan Stamper, president of the Detroit International Bridge Co., told the newspaper.

However, the firm’s lawyer counters that the bridge company knew as far back as 2005 that Estrin has been hired by Windsor officials to fight the twin span. Regardless, Moroun hired the firm anyway to help secure $500 million in financing, according to the response to the lawsuit.

Estrin’s attorney Kevin Kalczynski wrote to the court that since a decision by the U.S. Coats Guard on the twin span is still pending, it’s impossible to claim the bridge company’s plan has been hurt.

— from teh Detroit News