We always feel so proud of our clients’ achievements, so it was fabulous to see our client and friend Yair Cohen being showcased in The Times.
Here’s the article…
Yair Cohen, a partner at Cohen Davis, acted for Lindsey Goldrick , who was “civilly harassed” through at least 10 websites for 12 years by a man she met through a dating website. The High Court confirmed an order for Paul Curran to pay damages and her legal costs.
What were the main challenges in this case?
Obtaining the evidence to link the defendant to the harassing websites and recovering evidence, which the victim, out of distress, had erased in an attempt remove the presence of her harasser from her life.
What’s the best decision you’ve taken as a lawyer?
Learning HTML coding early in my career allowed me to create a niche for myself as one of a handful of lawyers who understand the back end of the internet.
Who has inspired you in your career?
Sue Scheff was one of the first recorded victims of internet harassment in the US — with her lawyer she fought a hard battle and won a landmark case in 2006. Her story inspired thousands of harassment victims worldwide.
What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you as a lawyer?
When trying to link a professional web designer to a nasty website he created about my client, I subpoenaed the Arizona-based host, but the information given was all fake. At the last minute we found an old telephone recording between him and customer support, where, as a passcode, he used his date of birth. We couldn’t believe our luck.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Whenever you face a novel challenge, look for a solution outside your niche and then adapt it to your needs.
Which three qualities should a lawyer have?
Creativity, strategic thinking and tenacity — particularly valuable if you work in a new area of law.
What law would you enact and why?
A tribunal that quickly grants victims of online abuse disclosure orders to enable them to unmask their harassers. You pay a small fee, show basic evidence and get the order. This will stop online antisocial behaviour at once. It will also put me out of business, but I don’t mind.
How would you like to be remembered?
Quite apart from this case, for helping to make the internet safer for adult industry workers, a group that has been neglected despite desperately needing protection.
Yuo can see the original Times article here.
