Who: Ian Lewis, 43-year-old partner specialising in police-related matters at 18-partner Manchester-based firm Rowe Cohen.

Why is he in the news? Acts for Iranian-born police superintendent Dr Ali Dizaei, who was cleared of charges following a three-and-a-half- year inquiry into 69 allegations ranging from corruption to drugs offences.

The inquiry is believed to have been the biggest and costliest of its kind in UK police history - involving the FBI, American drug enforcement agencies and the Canadian police - and has thrown up fresh concerns about racism in the police force.

Background: Law degree at Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan University) from 1978-1981.

Law Society finals at the College of Law in Chester before joining Livingstones, where he qualified in 1985 and became a partner in 1987.

Joined Rowe Cohen as partner in 1993.

Route to the case: 'I had been a solicitor advising the Police Superintendents Association for 11 years when Mr Dizaei was initially investigated, so he was referred to me, although I already knew him through our work on the Lawrence Inquiry.'

Thoughts on the case: 'This is a case that had so many surprises and we were astonished at the resources that were put into it.

It was the resources that led to inquiry after inquiry, rather than them being evidence-led.

He was under surveillance for all sorts of matters, on the flimsiest of evidence.

This is a chap who was very involved in representing black police officers - he was fundamental to the McPherson report, advising the Association of Chief Police Officers and Jack Straw.

He was the most high-profile black police officer in the country, so this has upset a lot of people.'

Dealing with the media: 'Many newspapers focus on a particular angle - the red tops went for his phone calls, fashion and drugs while the others were looking more at the political element.

With The Guardian it was all about race.

You have to be aware that each paper has its own twist, so it's very important to address the media as a whole rather than trying to get a particular slant across.'

Paula Rohan