"Some people are fearful of going to Mogadishu," said Bausch. "They think it's the same Mogadishu as in the movies." Mogadishu was the setting for Black Hawk Down, a 2001 film based on the 1993 battles between U.S. Army forces and Somali militia fighters.
"Once there's peace and security, Somalia will take off," said Abdurahman. "The question is … will you be there from the beginning?"
PLENTY OF CHALLENGES
Bausch said his safety will be a concern, especially when he first moves to Somalia. Further, he acknowledged he will encounter a language barrier. But Abdurahman speaks the Somali language fluently. And, Bausch said, plenty of people in Somalia do speak English.
There will be other challenges. The attorneys must determine how many staffers to hire for the Somali firm. They're thinking anywhere from 20 to 50. If they do well, maybe that will grow to 100. They already have some help lined up -- Abdurahman's brother, the business manager of the West Hartford firm, will accompany them.
The other four lawyers will stay behind and continue the practice.
And with whom might they contract with for legal services? The government? Businesses? Abdurahman admits that he and his partner are taking a significant financial risk. But he said the decision to go has been made, and it's now simply a matter of working out the logistics.
"It's time to get down to business," Abdurahman said. "Sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is. We're very excited about it. Only time will tell if we made a wise decision.
"We'll be the little Connecticut law firm that's gone international."
Subscribe to The Connecticut Law Tribune
