Dotcom initially hired Washington, D.C. attorney Robert Bennett, who had confirmed he was going to represent Megaupload in the copyright infringement case.[83][84] On 22 January 2012, Bennett withdrew from the case due to a conflict of interest with another client.[85][86] As of 23 January, attorney Paul Davison was quoted as representing Megaupload's founder, Kim Dotcom, in New Zealand.[87] At the end of April 2012, a controversy emerged over legal representation.