O’Dwyer Solicitors to work with Hausfeld over Volkswagen prosecution

Mayo firm O’Dwyer Solicitors is teaming up with the Berlin office of US firm Hausfeld to prosecute Volkswagen in the European Union over the emission’s scandal.

Evan O’Dwyer, partner at O’Dwyer Solicitors, told The Lawyer that he was seeking to “set up coordination across the EU between law firms bringing claims against Volkswagen” after he secured the first European court order for discovery against Volkswagen last month.

He said he wanted “to get a network in place so when the information is available it can be used to full effect”, and a “coordinated effort” to make sure lawyers are attacking the documents.

Mr O’Dwyer has said he believes the release of requested material in August will lead to a “sea change” in the various European claims.

Hausfeld is so far the only firm to sign up to his group, though he has also been in talks with Irwin Mitchell.

Unless Volkswagen appeals the discovery order, the next hearing in the O’Dwyer case will take place on 6 September.

Volkswagen is represented in the emissions-related actions by A&L Goodbody in Ireland, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in the UK and France, and Kirkland & Ellis in the US.