Louis Lehot, formerly of DLA Piper.

Louis Lehot, the DLA Piper partner who was accused of sexual assault by a fellow partner last week, has been let go by the firm, sources confirmed Friday afternoon.

In an email to DLA Piper lawyers and staff Friday afternoon, the text of which was obtained by The American Lawyer, firm leadership acknowledged Lehot's departure.

"We are saddened that this type of allegation has arisen at our firm," the email said, regarding partner Vanina Guerrero's allegation that Lehot sexually assaulted her multiple times after recruiting her to join the firm.

"Despite the fact that the allegations have not been substantiated by the investigation to date, the firm has concluded for various reasons that it is in the best interest of the firm that we part ways with Louis Lehot," the email said. "We understand and share the deep concern about this matter, and would like to be in a position to share more detailed information. This is an ongoing legal matter, however, and therefore we cannot share further details."

The firm also noted in its email that "we remain steadfastly committed to our zero-tolerance policy for harassment in the workplace."

Lehot's biography was no longer on DLA Piper's website as of Friday afternoon, though it had appeared there earlier in the day. Lehot did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesman for DLA Piper did not respond to requests for comment Friday afternoon.

Stacy Paz, now listed as the sole managing partner of the firm's Palo Alto, California, office, said, "I'm sorry, I can't speak right now," when reached by phone Friday afternoon.

Guerrero lodged sexual assault accusations against Lehot and called out the firm's mandatory arbitration policy in an open letter and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filing last week.

Reached for comment Friday, Guerrero's lawyer, Jeanne M. Christensen of Wigdor LLP, said letting Lehot go is a "first step."

"But DLA Piper has said nothing about releasing Ms. Guerrero from forced arbitration," Christensen said. "This continued silence means DLA Piper intends to enforce the provision. It needs to explain why."

Also Friday, a lawyer who formerly worked in DLA Piper's office of general counsel published a response to Guerrero's letter on the website Medium, in which she offered support to Guerrero and criticized DLA Piper's mandatory arbitration policy. She said the firm has a "culture of intimidation and oppression."

Ross Todd and Dan Packel contributed to this report.

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