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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-GB link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Dear All, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>As of Friday 6 March, the CWG-Stewardship has engaged Sidley Austin LLP to advise and consult on the CWG’s development of a transition proposal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>In the past two weeks, the Client Committee shortlisted three firms, interviewed each of them, and retained one. We chose to retain Sidley primarily because they envisaged the engagement as consultation rather than pure advice. In addition, Sidley presented a strong governance focus as well as specific experience with the U.S. political environment (including a former Congressman and a former Department of Commerce appointee). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Sidley is aware of the CWG’s tight timeframe and accepts the requirement for highly transparent work methods. Also, the client relationship has been clearly defined and emphasized in the retention letter in that <i>ICANN has instructed Sidley to take direction exclusively from and provide advice and consultation exclusively to the CWG, primarily through the CWG’s Client Committee</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Sidley has no previous client relationship with ICANN. No conflicts were identified, however please note that Greg Shatan and Holly Gregory from Sidley worked at the same firm over a decade ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>The Client Committee will meet with Sidley Austin on Monday. This call will be recorded and transcribed and we will then provide an update to the CWG on Tuesday’s call, where we also plan to introduce the Sidley team to the CWG. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Best wishes,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><br>Jonathan & Lise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>