Baker & McKenzie has decided by a unanimous vote to expel Vienna partner Christoph Kerres from the firm. Kerres, who has been practising for almost 20 years, was being investigated following allegations of professional misconduct.

In a statement, Baker & McKenzie said that the decision to sack Kerres was taken "in light of various conduct of Kerres considered inconsistent with his remaining a partner of Baker & McKenzie".

As revealed by Legal Week (27 April), the firm's policy committee conducted an investigation into the allegations in April this year. Kerres remained as a partner at the firm, continuing in his duties and client work while the investigation was carried out.

Bakers' seven-member policy committee consists of partners from across the firm's global network, including London-based IP/IT partner Russell Lewin.

No other lawyers from Bakers' Vienna office, which was formed in 2003 by a takeover of Viennese firm Kerres & Diwok, will be affected by the move. The office has five other partners and 15 legal staff in total. Kerres practised in the area of M&A and international arbitration.

Speaking to Legal Week, Kerres denied that he was being expelled from the firm and said that as general manager of Kerres & Diwok he last week had handed in notice to terminate his alliance with Baker & McKenzie due to cultural differences, particularly with the Frankfurt office.

"I believe that Baker & McKenzie has issued this press release as a consequence of me handing in this notice," he said.

However, Bakers said that claims made by Kerres that Kerres & Diwok has "terminated its member-ship" of Baker & McKenzie were untrue and legally invalid.