Schillings, a UK-based law firm known for representing high-profile clients in disputes with the media, is launching a private investigations and intelligence business in partnership with US law firm Clare Locke. The new venture, called CLS Vision, will operate out of Virginia and is led by Fred Glazier, a former senior official at the CIA and National Counterterrorism Center, along with Allison Everhardt, an expert in private investigations.
CLS Vision aims to offer services such as identifying individuals behind anonymous social media accounts, asset tracing, and conducting what it describes as “deep reputational due diligence.” This involves examining the backgrounds of individuals or companies to uncover potentially damaging information. The initiative marks an expansion of Schillings’ investigative capabilities and its geographical reach, building on its previous move into communications services last year.
David Imison, chief executive of Schillings, said the firm has been developing an integrated model of intelligence and investigations for over a decade and that CLS Vision represents an extension of this model into the US market. Clare Locke, a Virginia-based law firm specializing in defamation and media law, does not typically engage in intelligence work but views the partnership as complementary to its legal services, according to co-founder Libby Locke.
Clare Locke is noted for its aggressive legal tactics in defamation cases and broader work in litigation, business disputes, and regulatory or congressional inquiries. The firm’s reputation includes high-profile defamation suits, with a culture that embraces assertive legal action against media outlets.
Schillings itself has a history of high-profile clients, including Prince Harry, the collapsed German payments company Wirecard, and fugitive financier Jho Low. In 2015, Schillings compiled a detailed investigative report on Financial Times journalist Dan McCrum at the request of Wirecard, which was later exposed as committing fraud. The report criticized McCrum’s negative coverage and suggested possible bribery but ultimately found no evidence of misconduct. Schillings maintains that its investigations are conducted in full compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
Representatives for CLS Vision declined to comment directly on whether the firm would investigate journalists. However, they emphasized the company’s focus on assisting clients targeted by disinformation and smear campaigns often proliferated through so-called “junk news” websites. The partnership with Clare Locke is described as aligning well with the legal support provided to clients facing reputational threats and complex disputes.