Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Claire Millard and Sheppard Mullin (UK) LLP

7 April 2025

An email has been sent misusing the name of Claire Millard and Sheppard Mullin (UK) LLP in relation to an outstanding payment.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent falsely claiming to be from a genuine solicitor and from a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email was sent from an individual called Claire Millard claiming to be a 'Lawyer / Debt Collection Litigation Counsel' at the genuine firm (see below). The email seen by the SRA advises the recipient that a payment is outstanding and that failure to settle breaches an agreement with their client. The email provides the telephone number of '02032879329'.

The email was sent from the email address 'clairemillard@sheppardmullinslaw.co.uk'.

Any business or transaction through the email address 'clairemillard@sheppardmullinslaw.co.uk' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Sheppard Mullin (UK) LLP, whose address is 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AL. The genuine firm's email domain is @sheppardmullin.com.

The genuine firm Sheppard Mullin (UK) LLP has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the email referred to in the above alert

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Claire Millard, who works at Pricewaterhousecoopers LLP. The genuine solicitor Claire Millard is not thought to have any connection to the email referred to in the above alert.

What should I do?

When a firm's or individual's identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means. You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual's or firm's practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.