# Deel Accepts Service in Rippling Lawsuit After Weeks of Evasion Claims

## Deel Accepts Service in Rippling Lawsuit After Weeks of Evasion Claims

HR tech firm Deel has officially agreed to accept legal papers in its ongoing lawsuit with competitor Rippling in Ireland, putting an end to weeks of speculation. This development follows Rippling’s attempts to serve Deel’s executives, which were initially thwarted when bailiffs couldn’t locate them, and later complicated by the CEO and a top lawyer’s presence in Dubai.

According to Deel, CEO Alex Bouaziz and lawyers Asif Malik and Andrea David Mieli have agreed to receive service through Deel’s Irish law firm, Hayes Solicitors. This was confirmed to TechCrunch by a Deel spokesperson, who stated, “Today in court in Dublin Hayes Solicitors agreed to accept service on behalf of all four parties.” Deel Inc., the U.S. entity of the company, was already served on April 16, as revealed in an affidavit filed by Rippling in Irish court.

Rippling’s affidavit reiterated the difficulties they faced in serving Bouaziz, Malik, and Mieli, detailing unsuccessful attempts in France and Italy. For example, French bailiffs tried to serve Bouaziz at a listed address in Paris on April 10, only to find a relative who stated Bouaziz was in Dubai. TechCrunch reported on April 15 that Bouaziz was indeed in Dubai, although Deel initially declined to comment. Later, however, Deel clarified that Bouaziz “lives in Israel” and was only in Dubai for a short time to celebrate Passover. When asked for clarification on Bouaziz’s current location, Deel declined to comment, citing privacy reasons.

Deel has refuted the notion that its executives were actively avoiding service, calling Rippling’s failed attempts a “public smear tactic.” A Deel spokesperson stated, “It’s a misrepresentation that anyone was avoiding service and that narrative was clearly being used as a public smear tactic.”

Regarding Malik’s relocation to Dubai, Deel claims it was planned for over a year, predating Rippling’s lawsuit. As for Mieli, whom Rippling couldn’t serve in Italy, Deel maintains that he resides and works from home in Italy and was available to be served.

The lawsuit revolves around Rippling’s allegations that Deel bribed Keith O’Brien, a Rippling employee in Ireland, to spy on the company’s internal affairs. O’Brien himself confessed to the spying activities in a detailed affidavit.

In a significant countermove, Deel filed a countersuit in the U.S. last week, accusing Rippling of cultivating its own insider within Deel.

Rippling CEO Parker Conrad responded to Deel’s countersuit on X, stating, “Nowhere does Deel dispute our central allegation — that @Bouazizalex personally recruited a spy to steal rippling’s trade secrets, and personally directed the theft.”

Rippling has not yet responded to requests for comment on Deel officially accepting service. The battle between these HR tech giants continues to escalate, promising further developments in the weeks to come.