International and Commonwealth Litigation

International and Commonwealth Experience

Mr. Ogden qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and obtained Civil Higher Rights of Audience, permitting him to exercise rights of audience as a solicitor advocate in the higher civil courts of England and Wales.

He has also been admitted as a solicitor in Ireland.

His overseas admissions are presently maintained on a non-practising basis. He does not hold himself out through this site as presently practising as a solicitor in those jurisdictions, but he remains available to advise on appropriate cross-border and Commonwealth litigation-related issues.

Mr. Ogden has experience involving Commonwealth jurisdictions including England and Wales, Bermuda, and Vanuatu.

Cross-Border Litigation Issues

Litigation involving more than one jurisdiction can present questions that do not arise in a purely domestic dispute.

Depending upon the matter, issues may concern:

• Proceedings occurring simultaneously in different jurisdictions
• Recognition or effect of foreign judgments or orders
• Cross-border commercial disputes
• Parties, assets, evidence, or transactions located in different countries
• Interaction between California or federal litigation and proceedings abroad
• Strategic questions concerning where and how particular issues should be litigated
• Appellate issues arising from disputes with an international component

The relevant analysis depends upon the jurisdictions involved, the procedural posture of the proceedings, and the particular legal issues presented.

Commonwealth-Related Matters

The Commonwealth encompasses numerous jurisdictions with legal systems that may share historical roots while maintaining their own courts, statutes, procedural rules, and professional requirements.

Mr. Ogden's background in England and Wales, together with experience involving other Commonwealth jurisdictions, can provide useful perspective where a dispute crosses between California or federal courts and Commonwealth legal systems.

That experience does not mean that the laws or procedures of one Commonwealth jurisdiction can simply be applied to another. Each matter must be evaluated according to the particular jurisdictions and legal systems involved.

Advocacy in England and Wales

Mr. Ogden's qualification in England and Wales included obtaining Civil Higher Rights of Audience.

Higher Rights of Audience permit a qualified solicitor advocate to exercise rights of audience in the higher civil courts of England and Wales.

Mr. Ogden's overseas practising status is presently non-practising, but the qualification forms part of his broader background in appellate advocacy and complex litigation.

California and Federal Matters With International Components

A dispute with an international component may still involve substantial California or federal appellate issues.

For example, questions arising from cross-border business arrangements, financial transactions, foreign proceedings, international parties, or foreign judgments may become part of litigation in California state or federal courts.

Where such a matter proceeds into appellate review, the appellate court generally remains focused on the record and legal issues properly presented in the domestic proceedings below.

Mr. Ogden is available to consider appropriate matters in which his California and federal appellate experience intersects with international or Commonwealth-related issues.

• California Civil Appeals
• Federal Appeals and Writs

Broader International Background

Mr. Ogden earned his B.A. in East Asian Studies from the University of Virginia and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

He previously served as Honorary Consul in Los Angeles for the Republic of Vanuatu, a Commonwealth nation.

Earlier in his career, he also worked in KPMG's International Corporate Services group advising multinational businesses on complex international tax and financial matters.

These experiences form part of a professional background that has frequently involved legal, financial, and commercial issues extending beyond a single jurisdiction.

About Thomas Ogden

Evaluating a Cross-Border Matter

An initial evaluation of an international or Commonwealth-related dispute may consider:

• The jurisdictions involved
• Where proceedings are pending or anticipated
• The nature of the judgment, order, or dispute
• Whether California or federal litigation is involved
• Whether appellate proceedings are pending or contemplated
• The relationship between domestic and foreign proceedings
• The location of relevant parties, evidence, or assets
• Whether separate counsel in another jurisdiction may be required

Where legal representation is required in a jurisdiction in which Mr. Ogden is not presently practising, appropriate locally admitted counsel may be necessary.