Another Freshfields Partner Exits Firm Following Internal #MeToo Investigation
The departure comes in the same week that the firm ushered in new conduct rules.
December 12, 2019 at 12:33 PM
2 minute read
A partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has left the firm following an internal investigation into his behaviour, according to several people with knowledge of the situation.
The firm confirmed to Law.com's Legal Week that investigations partner Nicholas Williams departed the firm on Wednesday (December 11) following an internal investigation. Three people with knowledge of the situation described the investigation as being #MeToo related.
A spokesperson at Freshfields said in a statement to Legal Week: "We can confirm that following an internal investigation, Nick Williams has left the firm and his last day was December 11."
A LinkedIn profile in Williams' name has since been deleted, alongside his online Freshfields profile.
The resignation comes in the same week that the firm ushered in new conduct rules, whereby partners could receive severe reprimands and fines of 20% of their profit share.
The investigation into a partner's behaviour at the firm is the second to emerge this year.
In October, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) opened a hearing into ex-partner Ryan Beckwith, who received a £35,000 fine plus £200,000 of costs for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with an intoxicated junior colleague.
Beckwith, a former restructuring and insolvency partner at the firm, resigned just moments before the SDT delivered its judgment.
Last month, Legal Week also revealed that Freshfields was investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, behind closed doors, for failing to report the Beckwith incident to the regulator as it was required to do.
Williams was unable to be reached for comment.
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