Lorenz Erni is a Swiss lawyer and a partner at the Zürich law firm of Eschmann & Erni. He studied at the University of Zürich

University of Zurich

The University of Zurich , located in the city of Zurich, is the largest university in Switzerland, with over 25,000 students. It was founded in 1833 from the existing colleges of theology, law, medicine and a new faculty of philosophy....

, the University of Hamburg

University of Hamburg

The University of Hamburg is a university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded on 28 March 1919 by Wilhelm Stern and others. It grew out of the previous Allgemeines Vorlesungswesen and the Kolonialinstitut as well as the Akademisches Gymnasium. There are around 38,000 students as of the start of...

 (Germany), and obtained a doctorate of law in 1974. He specializes in criminal law, and speaks German (native), English, French, Italian and Dutch.

In September 2009, he was hired to represent Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, France and the USA, he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers."...

, after Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on a warrant related to a 1978 conviction of engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Back in 1978, Polanski had pleaded guilty to the charge but left the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

before sentencing, and never returned. Polanski has announced his intention to appeal extradition in the Swiss courts.