International Swimming League Accuses Farella Braun + Martel of Negligence
The Zurich-based International Swimming League (ISL) and its founder, Konstantin Grigorishin, have filed a lawsuit against their former U.S. law firm, Farella Braun + Martel, seeking more than $7 million. The lawsuit, filed on December 30 in San Francisco Superior Court, accuses the firm of professional negligence, unfair business practices, and overbilling related to an ongoing antitrust case against World Aquatics, the global governing body for competitive swimming.
ISL alleges that Farella Braun + Martel misled them and inflated legal fees during their representation in the antitrust lawsuit. The league is demanding that Farella return at least $7.2 million in legal fees and seeks a declaration that they owe no further payments to the firm.
Farella’s Controversial Representation and Billing Practices
ISL initially hired Farella in 2018 to handle lawsuits accusing World Aquatics of boycotting the league’s attempt to enter the professional swimming market. The new lawsuit claims that Farella also represented a proposed class of swimmers in the antitrust litigation without obtaining ISL’s consent.
Farella, a San Francisco-based firm founded in 1962, has represented major clients such as Google, Visa, and Dell. However, the firm no longer represents ISL or the swimmers in the ongoing legal battles. In an October court filing, Farella disclosed that it had imposed an attorney lien on ISL for any outstanding fees and expenses.
New Legal Representation and Ongoing Litigation
ISL is now represented by Paul Weiss, with William Isaacson leading the team. Meanwhile, the swimmers’ legal representation includes Jeffrey Kessler from Winston & Strawn. The litigation continues after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived the case in September. A status hearing in the trial court is scheduled for February.
The case, titled International Swimming League et al v. Farella Braun + Martel et al, is being heard in San Francisco Superior Court under case number CGC-24-621032. Both Farella and ISL’s current attorneys have yet to comment on the lawsuit.
