Who We Are
WORLD Law Direct is the leading interactive provider of U.S., EU, and international legal solutions.
And Google ranks WORLD Law Direct number one for "international legal advice" out of more than 200 million searched sites. May 2015 through January 2021.
(Number one for "online legal advice" out of more than 30 million searched sites. July 2004 through January 2016.)
In 1998, partners from five of the world's leading international law firms met to discuss the impact of the Internet on the provision of legal services. Out of that meeting grew several software prototypes for simplifying the most common legal issues, entering them into complex database delivery systems and creating the first automated system to address over 4000 common legal issues and problems.
Today we're helping to fill the need for understandable and efficient legal solutions. In addition to an expanding database, our systems automatically re-route designated issues to our global law team when necessary, providing thorough, up-to-date advice on commonly-faced legal issues in over 26 international jurisdictions including the United States. We put the resources of a global law firm to work for you.
Our founding shareholder board included leading international lawyers from the U.S. and abroad. The board worked closely with our global team of Czech and Finnish computer programmers, British software analysts, and Internet systems specialists from the U.S., Finland and Japan. See members from the board's initial composition below.
We're happy you are joining us here at WORLD Law Direct and we look forward to providing you quality legal information in a new and exciting format!
Founding board members:
Brad Haskins, University of Michigan Law School, Former International Partner Altheimer & Gray, Chicago, Prague, Istanbul and Kiev, Shareholder Board Chairman, WORLD Law Direct, San Francisco, California; Washington D.C.
Karen Green, University of London, Partner, Lehman Real Estate, London, England.
Jeffrey Gold, Harvard University, Partner, Zurich New Europe Technology Capital, London, England; Zurich, Switzerland
Scott Cruchley, University of Southern California, Software Design, Healthdent of California, Professional Software Development, Sacramento, California
Akio Inagaki, Waseda University Law School, Sumitomo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan (MD, Asia and Australia Operations)
Chan Dieng, Beijing University Law School, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Beijing, China
Stephan Shtogrin, Moscow University School of Law, Shtogrin and Partners, Moscow, Russia
Abi Ahudal, University of London, Ministry of Social Affairs, Cape Town, South Africa
Maryna Hrushetska, Masters of International Management, Thunderbird, American Graduate School of International Management, Manager E-commerce Strategy, Luminant.com; San Francisco; London, England; Zurich, Switzerland
Miroslav Kovar, Charles University School of Law, Prague, Czech Republic
Irena Chernobai, Belarusian University Law School; University of Virginia LL.M., White & Case International Law Firm, Moscow, Russia
Founding Board Members are not responsible for, and have not reviewed, content included in this website. Content remains the sole responsibility of (1) the WORLD Law Direct Content Committee Members (none of whom are, or are permitted to be, Founding Board Members) and (2) Law Information Services Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland. Content provided herein is for informational purposes only, is not legal advice, may not be viewed if such viewing would violate local laws, and in any case is subject in all regards and absolutely to the provisions of the WORLD Law Direct Disclaimer, as may be amended from time to time without notice of update. By use of this site, you agree absolutely and unconditionally to the terms of our Disclaimer.
Shareholder Board Chairman Brad Haskins is an attorney specializing in international law matters for U.S. Fortune 500 and international clients. Between 2009 and 2022, he also represented business and individual clients in more than 400 domestic and international arbitrations. He has represented several pro players in disputes governed by the Basketball Arbitral Tribunal rules.
In July of 1998, Mr. Haskins joined a group of Zurich-based investors active in the Central European region and became an equity partner in Zurich New Europe Investors. The partnership, an equity investment trust, is chartered to invest in technology companies throughout Europe and North America.
Prior to joining ZNEI, Mr. Haskins was a partner at the international law firm Altheimer & Gray. Mr. Haskins concentrated on international civil and corporate law matters and was based in Prague, Istanbul, Kiev, and Chicago. He also developed an extensive legislative practice involving Fortune 100 corporations and governments throughout Europe. He established and controlled all of the firm's lucrative operations in Moscow.
Mr. Haskins began his international law practice with Weil, Gotshal & Manges in New York City where he was involved in international finance, mergers and acquisitions, technology venture capital, complex custody matters and "white-collar" criminal defense, including securities fraud litigation.
In 1990, Mr. Haskins was the Republican nominee for Michigan's Third District Seat in the U. S. House of Representatives. He received approximately 43% of the vote in the 580,000-person district and was one of only a few candidates personally endorsed by President George Bush.
Mr. Haskins is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, Honors College with a double major in economics and political science. He conducted university-sponsored research on Japanese management and investment theory at Tokyo University and the Japan Foundation in Tokyo, Japan. He also attended the University of London, studying European political economy. As a student, Mr. Haskins clerked with Chief Justice G. Mennen Williams on the Michigan Supreme Court. He also served as a legislative assistant to Member of Parliament Anthony Beaumont-Dark in the British Parliament.
