Winston & Strawn

The head of litigation and former London managing partner at Winston & Strawn has left the firm days after withdrawing a whistleblowing and discrimination claim.

Michael Madden, who led Winston's London litigation practice since 2011, originally brought the U.K. employment tribunal claim against Winston & Strawn's London and Chicago LLPs last month.

According to the London Central employment tribunal listings, the claim was due to be heard at the end of January and related to an allegation of discrimination relating to sexual orientation and disability.

Madden also brought an allegation relating to the Public Interest Disclosure Act, which governs the protection of whistleblowers from detrimental treatment by their employer for disclosing information.

The case was not heard as it was resolved prior to the hearing itself, according to a person with knowledge of the process. Often this means a settlement has been reached, although the outcome remains unclear and Legal Week was unable to make contact with Madden.

This was the second case Madden had brought against the firm. He also previously brought a claim last year which was dropped prior to the hearing, according to the Employment Tribunal database.

Madden left the firm at the end of January, according to people at the firm.

Peter Crowther, London managing partner at Winston & Strawn, commented: "I can confirm that Michael decided to leave the firm, and that the firm wishes him well."

Madden joined Winston in 2011 from Ashurst, where he was the former managing partner of Ashurst's dispute resolution department. He also acted at Winston's London managing partner from 2012 to the end of 2015.