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August 05, 2020 | News

The Latest on Investigations into Ex-CMS, Ex-Clydes, and Freshfields Partners

The UK's Solicitors Regulation Authority has closed one investigation but others are continuing.
3 minute read
July 23, 2020 | Analysis

Lloyds HBOS Fraud Scandal: The Accusations Against HSF Explained

UK politicians have filed a complaint against HSF over its advisory role to Lloyds Bank. But what exactly is being claimed?
10 minute read
August 07, 2020 | Expert Opinion

We Must Do More to Help Stressed Out Junior Lawyers Who Are Being Punished for Covering Up Mistakes

Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of legal mental health charity LawCare, is calling for a safer environment for junior lawyers to admit mistakes and avoid damaging the reputation of the industry.
6 minute read
June 17, 2020 | News

'He'll Have to Pay His Own Fees': Lawyers React to 'Surprising' Gary Senior Outcome

Ex-Baker McKenzie partners think the tribunal may have taken into account that Senior was bearing his own legal costs.
5 minute read
August 10, 2020 | Expert Opinion

Prepare for Regulator Scrutiny of Law Firm Culture on Diversity

UK industry regulators are expected to take action if firms have a toxic working environment on racial diversity.
4 minute read
August 04, 2020 | News

Womble Bond Rebuked by Regulator For Breaching Accounts Rules

The UK's Solicitors Regulation Authority found that the firm had breached the rules by providing a client with a banking facility.
3 minute read
July 16, 2020 | News

SRA Ends Investigation Into Former Quinn Partner Mark Hastings

Hastings left the firm in May 2018 after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by two people.
2 minute read
June 19, 2020 | News

Former DAC Beachcroft and Slater & Gordon Paralegals Banned From Profession

The duo are the latest to be penalised as the SRA continues to crack down on junior lawyers' behaviour.
4 minute read
July 28, 2020 | News

UK Lawyer to Face Tribunal Over Alleged Touching, KKK Comment

The lawyer is alleged to have put an A4 envelope on his head and made a reference to the Ku Klux Klan.
3 minute read
January 10, 2020 | Commentary

Blaming Booze for Sexual Harassment Obscures the Chief Culprit: Male Power

Alcohol is at risk of becoming the fall guy for law's entrenched sexual harassment problem.
4 minute read
January 13, 2020 | News

Linklaters Enlists Sober Chaperones to Oversee Boozy Events

The Magic Circle firm's scheme came into effect during the Christmas period.
2 minute read
January 13, 2020 | News

Slaughters Bans Work Ski Trips Following Harassment Claim

The move follows a risk review of staff behaviour during social events.
2 minute read
December 05, 2019 | News

Freshfields Partnership Votes On Plans to Form 'Conduct Committee' and Fine Badly Behaved Partners

The Magic Circle firm needs 75% partner approval to usher in a new 'conduct protocol', whereby individuals could face a 20% profit share cut for bad behaviour.
2 minute read
December 03, 2019 | News

'I Was Cast Aside By the Firm' – Tribunal Hears From Alleged Victim in Day Two of Gary Senior Hearing

The alleged victim gave evidence and was cross-examined during the second day of the 15-day hearing into Baker McKenzie's former London head.
6 minute read
January 20, 2020 | News

Number of UK Regulator Sexual Misconduct Reports Doubles in 2 Years

Some law firms have started setting up conduct committees and a chaperone system to tackle the issue.
2 minute read
January 29, 2020 | News

Solicitors Regulation Authority Hires New Head of Enforcement

Birmingham-based Oliver Sweeney joins the U.K. legal regulator in the key role after three years at the Gambling Commission.
2 minute read
January 22, 2020 | News

Surge in Workplace Bullying Calls to UK Legal Mental Health Charity

Annual figures released by mental health charity LawCare show that calls about workplace bullying rose 70% year on year.
2 minute read
December 03, 2019 | News

Baker McKenzie Partners Warned to Keep Quiet as Firm Criticised for Gary Senior Investigation

The firm has warned partners not to speak to outsiders about the case, as the firm's handling of the historical incident has been criticised.
4 minute read
November 08, 2019 | Commentary

2019 Marks London's New Era of Heavy Lawyer Scrutiny

There is a reason the U.K. market is fascinated with this year's stream of Solicitors Regulation Authority investigations: anyone could be next.
4 minute read
October 16, 2019 | Investigation

'Sexual Inappropriateness' – Jones Day's London Office Culture in the Spotlight

Legal Week spoke with 10 alumni in a six-month-long investigation into allegations of harassment at Jones Day's London office.
9 minute read
October 24, 2019 | News

'This Is The Future': DLA Piper's #MeToo Allegations Unleash a Three-Way Mudfight

As sexual assault, harassment and bias claims become more frequent in Big Law, tactics are evolving—and getting bolder.
7 minute read
October 11, 2019 | Commentary

Beckwith Hearing Marks The Start of a New Era

It remains unclear how the verdict did not result in a ban, but the case has still put down a marker.
3 minute read
September 11, 2019 | Analysis

Most Female Lawyers Have Experienced or Seen Workplace Sexual Harassment

Lawyers anonymously shared their stories of sexual harassment at work as part of Legal Week's job satisfaction survey.
6 minute read
October 01, 2019 | News

Ex-Akin Gump Partner Struck Off For Inappropriately Claiming Over £24K In Expenses

The partner claimed expenses for client meals which did not take place and amended taxi receipts for rides he did not take.
3 minute read
October 15, 2019 | Analysis

What The Beckwith Hearing Taught Us About Freshfields' Work-Hard Play-Hard Culture

Jagerbombs, Champagne, luxury coaches and high-end resorts are mixed with gruelling deals, 2am finishes and widespread stress at the Magic Circle firm, the tribunal heard.
8 minute read
October 01, 2019 | News

Ryan Beckwith: Complainant Escalated Matter to Freshfields Senior Partner After Firm Failed to Remove Accused, Tribunal Hears

The SDT also heard about the extent of Beckwith's alleged drunken conduct in an account that reduced the complainant to tears.
6 minute read
November 04, 2019 | Analysis

Should More Partner Compensation Systems Include Punishment for Misbehaviour?

Most law firms do not punish misbehaving rainmakers with financial penalties, but such punitive measures are common throughout corporate America and the banking industry.
4 minute read
October 28, 2019 | News

Freshfields was Investigated for Failing to Report Beckwith Allegations

The Magic Circle firm faced scrutiny by the SRA soon after the sexual misconduct allegations against Ryan Beckwith emerged, people with knowledge of the matter have disclosed.
3 minute read
August 28, 2019 | News

Hogan Lovells Partner Rebuked by SRA Over Unfair Nanny Dismissal

The SRA filing comes almost a year after Dhennin was ordered to pay £18,000 to the nanny in compensation for discrimination and unfair dismissal.
2 minute read
June 18, 2019 | Investigation

'A Partner Tricked Me Into His Hotel Room' – The Unseen Victims of Law's #MeToo Problem

Legal Week spent six months speaking to women who, while conducting their roles at legal directories, experienced inappropriate behaviour at the hands of lawyers and senior clerks.
18 minute read
September 12, 2019 | News

Akin Gump Partner Referred to Disciplinary Tribunal

The firm has said it was "deeply troubled" after the partner improperly charged expenses to the firm.
2 minute read
June 14, 2019

Partner Conduct Issues: How Should Firms Handle Their PR?

Ashurst's announcement about a partner dismissal for conduct issues marks a shift in mindset about how to handle sensitive internal matters.
3 minute read
July 30, 2019 | News

Baker McKenzie and Gary Senior Referred to SDT Over Historical Allegations

Former partner Tom Cassels and the firm's former HR director have also been referred to the SDT.
3 minute read
June 11, 2019 | News

Ashurst Global Board Member Dismissed Over Conduct

The partner is the latest to be asked to leave an international firm over conduct issues.
2 minute read
June 06, 2019 | News

Former City Ropes Trainee Barred After Re-Creating Client Signature

The ex-trainee was fined and can no longer work as a solicitor.
2 minute read
May 09, 2019 | News

CMS Sacks Partner As SRA Steps In

It is the latest in a series of partner dismissals in the City.
2 minute read
April 18, 2019 | Research

Women Describe Their Experiences in Big Law – and It's Not Pretty

The lawsuit against Jones Day is just the tip of the iceberg, new research from ALM Intelligence and the American Bar Association shows.
6 minute read
April 05, 2019 | Analysis

'Someone Has to Speak Up': Lawyers Suing Jones Day Say Career Risk Is Worth It

"I think the fear for me is in not holding powerful institutions and larger employers accountable, and in allowing law institutions like Jones Day to escape scrutiny," lawyer and plaintiff Nilab Tolton said.
7 minute read
May 01, 2019 | Commentary

Is Mark Mansell Just A Scapegoat?

The A&O partner who has been referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for his role acting for Harvey Weinstein has several supporters in the industry.
5 minute read
January 04, 2019 | Commentary

#MeToo and mental health: why the Eversheds tragedy must not stop victims speaking out

Addressing mental health and sexual harassment issues has never been more pressing for law firms
4 minute read
February 18, 2019 | News

Linklaters settles 'ongoing struggle with women' claim

Former CMO agrees to destroy copies of confidential documents as high-profile case ends
2 minute read