A high profile Queen's Counsel and one of the country's biggest law firms are stepping down from Kim Dotcom's legal team, according to the entrepreneur's United States attorney.
Paul Davison, QC, has been representing Dotcom during attempts by United States authorities to extradite him to face trial on what is alleged be a conspiracy to commit the biggest-ever breach of copyright.
Simpson Grierson partner William Akel has also been acting on the case and fellow partner Tracey Walker was representing Dotcom in a lawsuit he is facing from Hollywood studios.
The firm - one of the biggest in New Zealand which will soon employ former health minister Tony Ryall as head of public policy - were recorded as solicitors for Dotcom in both cases.
But the Megaupload founder's US lawyer, Ira Rothken, has tweeted that both Davison and Simpson Grierson are stepping down from Dotcom's legal team.