Biglaw

Dentons Partner Out After Investigation Into Misconduct

Is this part of a trend of finally recognizing the sexual harassment that happens in Biglaw?

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Last month, allegations of inappropriate behavior were made against a partner at megafirm Dentons. In response, the firm conducted an investigation and suspended the partner while it was ongoing. The allegations against the unnamed partner were for incidents that occurred while he was a partner at Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens. Maclay Murray merged with Dentons in July.

The investigation began in January, and now the firm has announced the partner in question is no longer at the firm. As Legal Week reports, a spokesperson said they “found no evidence of sexual harassment” but that the “behaviour of the partner concerned fell well below the expectations that we have of our partners.” The spokesperson went on to add:

Last month we became aware that reports of inappropriate behaviour were made against a Maclay Murray & Spens (MMS) partner about 15 months ago, more than a year before MMS’s merger with Dentons. Immediately upon becoming aware of these reports, we launched an internal investigation and placed the partner on a leave of absence […] We can confirm that he has now left the firm.

It’s also reported that the employee who made the allegations against the partner is still at the firm.

This incident comes shortly after a partner at Baker McKenzie left the firm after being sanctioned following a sexual harassment investigation. This seems to be part of a trend of finally recognizing the sexual harassment and assault that happens in Biglaw. The legal profession does not insulate women from harassment, but too ofter fear of professional reprisals have kept the allegations solely within the whisper network.

Now we are seeing more people come forward with the troubling, inappropriate behavior that’s been allowed to fester at firms. Reports, like this, of firms acting quickly and decisively when confronted with allegations only helps foster a profession where employees are comfortable reporting harassing behavior. That’s an essential step forward, because as any woman who has worked at a Biglaw firm knows, the prevailing silence isn’t cutting it.

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headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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