Miller Nash is a over 100 member Portland/Seattle based law
firm which donates to a no-kill Animal Shelter in Prineville, Oregon:
http//www.humanesocietyochocos.com/. The
firm promotes itself as a passionate advocate for corporations, ports, tribes,
hospitals, and pro bono clients in Oregon and Washington.
Despite being a law firm that prides itself on environmental
sustainability, Miller Nash has agreed to represent Japanese whale hunters,
which is targeting endangered Minke, Fin and Humpback whales in the Southern
Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
Miller Nash argues that activists from a Northwest
organization, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society of Friday Harbor, Wash., who
pelt whaling ships off Antarctica with acid and smoke bombs should be forced to
keep a safe distance.
Representing Japan’s Institute of Cetacean Research, a
foundation that cites a scientific-research exception to an international
whaling ban, Miller Nash has statements from the crew members attesting to the
supposed violent attacks by the activists.
Tomoyuki Ogawa, captain of the Nisshin Maru whaling ship,
states the activists launched or threw glass bottles containing paint or
butyric acid, which could have blinded a crew member. Ogawa says these attacks
also cause fear in the crew and interfering with carrying out of orders.
Miller Nash “has fielded intense criticism. Some blogs republished a Sea Shepherd
statement that contrasts the law firm’s support of a no-kill animal shelter in
Prineville with its work for a company that is illegally slaughtering defenseless
whales inside the boundaries of a whale sanctuary.” (http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/02/portlands_miller_nash_takes_fl.html)
The contention is that all sides have the right to have
representation in the courts and it may not be popular but it is not a
disqualifying factor in defending a client.
To see some of the pictures of the whalers and the
activists, please check out the following site.
http://photos.oregonlive.com/4450/gallery/portland_law_firm_miller_nash_agrees_to_represent_japanese_whale_hunters/index.html
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