This story originally appeared in sister publication The Am Law Litigation Daily.

The Justice Department’s $8.9 billion settlement with BNP Paribas gave prosecutors a chance to argue that they’re not afraid to get tough on big banks. But it also highlighted the roles of two big law firms that counseled BNP on transactions at the heart of the government’s case, suggesting that the French Bank relied on questionable advice to justify violating U.S. sanctions regimes.