IT’S A SIGN of the times that Arthur Cox, one of the country’s biggest law firms, would host a seminar to explain the “extraterritorial reach of US criminal and civil law”.

It is being hosted in conjunction with global law firm Lovells, which is sending over Marc Gottridge from its litigation department in New York.

“Marc will explain how and to what extent these laws can ensnare companies and individuals in Ireland and other European jurisdictions,” the invite states.

Arthur Cox has also enlisted Jerry Shanahan, former chief operating officer of US software company Enterasys Networks, to provide a “personal perspective on the prosecution and enforcement tactics of US authorities”.

The US Department of Justice last year dropped all charges against Mr Shanahan relating to an alleged accounting fraud. Cox had represented Mr Shanahan in the case.

Expect the seminar to draw a healthy attendance.