Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP

20 January 2026

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP in relation to a copyright infringement.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent to members of the public falsely purporting to be from a genuine firm of solicitors misusing the name of a genuine solicitor (see below) in relation to a copyright infringement. The emails also misuse the name, email address and website of a genuine firm (see genuine details below).

We understand that the emails have been sent from the email address 'travhearkibbmel1989@gmail.com' signed by Steve D'Amore claiming to be a senior legal counsel. The telephone number provided in the email was '+1 (212) 541-2000' and the postal address was '50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1500, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498, USA'.

Any business or transaction through the above email address 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 Registered Foreign Lawyer called Stephen D'Amore, whose genuine SRA ID number is 658292.

The genuine solicitor Stephen D'Amore is believed to have no connection to the email referred to in the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP (SRA ID 447895). The firm is also authorised and regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.

The genuine firm's London branch office address is 1-6 Lombard Street, London, EC3V 9AA and telephone number is 020 7429 4900. The genuine firm uses the email domain @shepwedd.com and the genuine firm's website is www.shepwedd.com.

The genuine firm Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the above email and it does not employ a member of staff called Steve D'Amore.

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.