Linklaters Enlists Sober Chaperones to Oversee Boozy Events
The Magic Circle firm's plan went into effect over the holidays.
January 13, 2020 at 04:27 AM
2 minute read
Linklaters has enlisted the help of its lawyers to supervise staff at social events where alcohol is served, as the legal industry comes under scrutiny for its boozy culture.
The Magic Circle firm has launched a sober supervisor scheme, with the firm advising partners and senior staff appointing a designated person to remain sober and oversee work gatherings.
The scheme was in place during the Christmas period, according to a spokesperson for the firm.
"Our people work hard and we recognize the value of teams socializing together to help provide a healthy work-life balance," the spokesperson added in a statement.
"As part of a wider set of guidelines covering social activities, we have recommended to partners, directors and business leaders that they designate a non-drinking role to a senior person to assist the smooth running of our social events."
Last week, the Law Society issued guidance for the legal industry on how to regulate the profession's alcohol intake. As part of its recommendations, the Law Society encourages law firms to be more inclusive of sober staff and to offer proper non-alcoholic alternatives.
One person at Linklaters said that the firm is encouraging its staff to host events where alcohol is not the focus, to create a more inclusive environment for those that do not want to drink alcohol.
The drinking culture within the legal profession has been subject to scrutiny during recent sexual misconduct hearings, including that of Freshfields Bruckhas Deringer partner Ryan Beckwith and Baker McKenzie's former London managing partner Gary Senior.
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