The Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) today ruled that an ex-Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner did not abuse his position of seniority to engineer a “sexual encounter” that took place in 2016 with a former junior colleague, while also describing the incident as a “one-off”. During a previous trial that took place in October, the Solicitors Regulation […]
Baker McKenzie’s ex-chair was “excited” about the prospect of the firm’s City managing partner taking up a potential CEO position despite being the subject of a sexual misconduct complaint that led to a letter of action from a former employee’s solicitors. During the ongoing Solicitors Tribunal Hearing (SDT) against three individuals and Baker McKenzie, it […]
Baker McKenzie’s former managing partner Gary Senior today fought back against allegations that he tried to “banish” an employee from the firm who had accused him of sexual misconduct. During day three of proceedings at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) against the firm and three individuals, Senior accepted that he did try to kiss Person […]
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner Ryan Beckwith has begun his defence of the allegations made against him in front of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), describing the drinking culture at the firm and how another senior partner in the restructuring team saw the complainant, Person A, “holding hands” with Beckwith at a previous event. Restructuring partner […]
Baker McKenzie has been referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), alongside three individuals, over allegations that the firm allowed a sexual misconduct investigation to be “improperly” influenced by the accused. The Solicitors Regulation Authority alleges that the firm’s probe into a complaint made against former London managing partner Gary Senior was “improperly” influenced by […]
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) has been accused of “contaminating” evidence as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner Ryan Beckwith attempts to get his sexual misconduct hearing dismissed. Beckwith appeared in front of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in April over allegations of non-consensual sex after a firm event. Two, as yet unproven, allegations were brought against him. […]
The #MeToo movement has left no sector unaffected. From entertainment to hospitality, finance to media, allegations of workplace impropriety have swept the globe. Jobs were lost, careers ended and a clear message sent: the culture of impunity for misconduct can continue no longer. Sexual harassment is inappropriate in any field. But it is particularly repugnant […]
Macfarlanes is in the early stages of selecting and training “guardians” who can support staff who wish to share workplace concerns with someone outside their reporting line. The City stalwart will join Lewis Silkin as the second law firm on the “Guardians Programme”, which sees businesses appoint designated members of staff to be a confidential […]
The anti-harassment movement appears to have empowered lawyers to share their concerns and seek help.
While Deloitte has been praised for its open approach on how it dealt with inappropriate behaviour, the biggest City law firms are trying to close down the discussion.
DAC Beachcroft is understood to have positioned the #MeToo movement at the heart of potential risks to its business as a growing number of firms have their reputations damaged by partners’ inappropriate behaviour. The decision is understood to have come as part of the firm’s annual business review which aims to identify what could cause […]
As part of the probe into the sexual harassment allegations against a partner, Reed Smith breached an alleged victim’s will to stay anonymous by sharing personal information about her with the Solicitor Regulations Authority. The news follow the revelation last week that a partner was dismissed by the firm over a sexual harassment incident involving […]
One of Blackstone Chambers’ longest serving members will appear before a hearing later this week after allegations of sexual harassment led an inquiry to recommend his suspension from the House of Lords until 2022. Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC will attend a hearing at the House on Thursday (15 November), which will rule on whether […]
Clyde & Co has dismissed a partner after allegations surfaced of “inappropriate behaviour”, forcing the firm to carry out an internal investigation. The Lawyer understands that the UK-based partner, who has not been named, was removed from the partnership on Friday 28th September. Allegations of inappropriate behavior were reported from more than one female junior lawyer, […]
SRA aims to provide clarity on when firms should report potential serious breaches of its rules
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has dismissed partner Mark Hastings without compensation following an investigation into two allegations of inappropriate behaviour, The Lawyer can reveal. The allegations first surfaced in February with Mishcon de Reya partner Alison Levitt QC drafted in to conduct the firm’s internal investigation. Following the presentation of Levitt’s findings, Hastings was dismissed […]
Linklaters has set up an external whistleblowing hotline for its staff in recognition that individuals can feel wary about reporting harassment concerns to people within the firm, The Lawyer has learned. The magic circle firm revealed its SpeakUp initiative to partners last week, and to the firm yesterday. It means that people will be able […]