Biglaw

Biglaw Firm Hires Outside Counsel To Review Response To Associate's Sexual Assault Claim

This is one of the first law firms to be publicly caught up in the #MeToo movement.

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Baker McKenzie, a firm that was launched into turmoil when word got out that a now former partner had been sanctioned, but not fired, following an investigation into his alleged sexual assault of an associate, has hired Simmons & Simmons, an international firm, to review Baker’s response to those allegations.

As previously reported, Baker McKenzie is now under preliminary investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to assess whether the firm’s actions in this case amounted to professional misconduct.

About two weeks ago, a representative from the firm issued an apology, saying, “We are really sorry this incident ever happened and we acknowledge we should have handled it better.” Now that an outside legal team from Simmons & Simmons is on the case, we suppose we’ll be able to see just how much better the incident should have been handled. A spokesperson released this statement announcing the review:

Baker McKenzie has appointed Simmons & Simmons to conduct an independent review of this incident and how it was subsequently handled. The review will also look at and review all our complaints policies and procedures to ensure our employees are protected and have a voice. We will follow the recommendations of the review and will take all appropriate action. As a firm, our values of inclusion and diversity are extremely important to us and we are committed to ensuring the welfare of all employees.

Perhaps Baker McKenzie should have gone about protecting its employees and ensuring their welfare prior to becoming the first law firm to be the subject of a global expose on the #MeToo movement — or perhaps that would’ve been too much to ask.

Baker McKenzie brings in Simmons for review of firm’s response to sex assault claim [Legal Week]

Earlier: Biglaw Firm Admits To Sanctioning Partner After Sexual Assault Investigation
Biglaw Firm Under Investigation For Failing To Disclose Partner’s Alleged Sexual Assault To Regulators

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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