Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the names of Mark Handley and Duane Morris

15 July 2025

Correspondence has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Mark Handley' of Duane Morris.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that members of the public have been contacted by someone falsely claiming to be a genuine solicitor at a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

We understand payment of some sort of retainer has been requested to undertake legal work. We are advised the telephone number '8006217943' and email address 'markjhandley24@outlook.com' are being used.

Any business or transactions through the above telephone number or email address is not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or any individual authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Duane Morris, which has a head office address at Citypoint, 16th floor, One Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9AW. Its genuine contact email address is LJCrow@DuaneMorris.com and its genuine telephone number is 0207 786 2141.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor by the name of Mark Handley. His genuine email address is MHandley@duanemorris.com and his genuine telephone number is +44 20 7786 2160.

The genuine firm of Duane Morris and the genuine solicitor Mark Handley have confirmed they have no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.

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.