A statement released this week by Jones Day has confirmed that the firm’s Cleveland office will close from Monday 18 July to Thursday 21 July while the Republican National Convention is underway in the city, with office retruning to full function on Friday 22. The firm, which is representing presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump in his bid for the White House, cited ‘expected congestion’ in the city as the reason behind the closure. While its office will be shut for regular business, client events will be held remotely throughout the week by those Jones Day lawyers not involved in RNC-related activities.

Security concerns

According to The American Lawyer, Jones Day has declined to comment on whether its decision to close during the RNC is linked to security concerns surrounding the event. With the controversial property tycoon’s nomination now all-but confirmed, Jones Days’ well-publicised links with the Trump campaign could potentially make it a target for anticipated anti-Trump retaliations. In March, it was reported that the Cleveland Police Department was seeking bids to provide around 2,000 sets of riot gear ahead of the event.