Weinstein prosecution of A&O partner scrapped because of ill health January 14, 2021 Proceedings against an Allen & Overy partner that relate to an NDA agreement he helped negotiate on behalf of Harvey Weinstein have been scrapped. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has permanently stayed proceedings against Mark Mansell because he is suffering from ill-health. Medical experts on both sides agreed the continuation of proceedings, and in particular [...]
SRA backs down on high profile sexual misconduct case January 14, 2021 The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has decided not to appeal a High Court ruling that followed a high-profile case featuring jagerbombs, a magic circle law firm and alleged sexual misconduct. The SRA will not appeal a High Court ruling in favour of an ex-Freshfields partner who allegedly took advantage of a junior colleague. The SRA [...]
Ex-Freshfields partner Ryan Beckwith to take sex case fine to High Court February 25, 2020 Ex-Freshfields partner Ryan Beckwith who was fined by the solicitors’ watchdog after a drunken sexual incident with a junior lawyer has lodged an appeal against the decision in the High Court. In October, married restructuring lawyer Beckwith was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay costs of £200,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). The tribunal [...]
Solicitors’ watchdog will not appeal against decision not to strike off ex-Freshfields partner Ryan Beckwith after ‘inappropriate’ sex case February 24, 2020 Solicitors’ watchdog the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said today it will not seek to appeal against a tribunal decision that allowed former Freshfields partner Ryan Beckwith to remain a member of the profession. In October, restructuring lawyer Ryan Beckwith was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay costs of £200,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). [...]
Ex-Freshfields partner escaped strike-off after sexual incident because it was a ‘one-off’ February 4, 2020 A former high-flying Freshfields partner escaped being struck off after a sexual encounter with a junior lawyer because it was a “one-off incident” and “his judgement had been affected by the amount of alcohol he had consumed”, a tribunal ruling published today said. Restructuring lawyer Ryan Beckwith was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay costs [...]
Freshfields partner exits after investigation in latest #MeToo case December 12, 2019 A Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner left the firm this week after an investigation into a suspected #MeToo case. Disputes and investigations partner Nick Williams left the firm on Wednesday following an investigation into his conduct. Website Legal Week reported that his exit was related to #MeToo concerns. A spokesperson for Freshfields said: “We can confirm [...]
Junior lawyer felt ‘cast aside’ by Baker McKenzie after alleged sexual harassment December 3, 2019 A junior lawyer who was allegedly sexually harassed by Baker Mckenzie’s former London managing partner Gary Senior said she felt like she was “cast aside” by the firm following the incident in 2012. Giving evidence to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal today, the lawyer (known as Person A), said: “My feeling at the time was I [...]
Nearly half of in-house lawyers asked to advise on unethical issues October 28, 2019 A survey of in-house lawyers published today has found that 45 per cent have been asked to advise on something ethically debatable. The study shines a light on the tightrope in-house lawyers have to walk between acting commercially and upholding professional ethics. Read more: Firms must stop using NDAs to cover up harassment, say MPs [...]
Ex-Freshfields partner escapes strike off after sexual misconduct allegations upheld October 10, 2019 An ex-Freshfields partner escaped being struck off today after a tribunal found he had engaged in sexual activity with a heavily intoxicated junior lawyer. Ryan Beckwith, 41, tearfully hugged and kissed his wife after the sanction was handed down. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) fined Beckwith £35,000 and ordered him to pay costs of £200,000. [...]
Ex-Freshfields lawyer accused of lying about sex assault allegations October 2, 2019 An ex-Freshfields lawyer was today accused of fabricating her account of an alleged non-consensual sexual encounter with a married partner at the firm. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard evidence from the unnamed female lawyer, known as Person A, who accused Freshfields partner Ryan Beckwith, 41, of sexually assaulting her at her flat after an evening [...]