Credit Lyonnais Bank Nederland, N. v. v. Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Tunney

The plaintiff Credit Lyonnais Bank Nederland N.V., a Netherlands bank (Bank), filed this legal malpractice action in California and appeals from an order granting the motion of the defendants, Anthony F.L. Amhurst, an English lawyer and his London law firm Amhurst, Brown, Martin & Nicholson (collectively Amhurst) for a dismissal of the action as to them on the ground of forum non conveniens. The bank is joined in the appeal by the defendants and cross-complainants Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Tunney and one of its partners, William S. Brunsten (collectively Manatt) who, after they were named and served in this action, filed a cross-complaint against Amhurst for indemnification. We conclude, after a careful consideration of the record, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in granting the motion and we therefore affirm.

Factual Background

In January 1981, Bank, through its London office, loaned approximately $1,450,000 to Camargue Finance, Ltd., a British limited liability company (Borrower). The loan was to be used by a California sub-subsidiary of Borrower (Parador Sacramento, Inc.) in connection with a proposed purchase of the Woodlake Inn Motel in…