Shearman Strip Club Sacking – Right Reaction
The dismissal of a Shearman & Sterling associate from its London office following an alleged incident of sexual harassment of a vac scheme student has provoked mixed reactions amongst observers. Criticism has been aimed at the associate (obviously), the complainant (controversially) and the firm (subsequently)… Time and place. The alleged incident took place on Friday 18 July when a large group of Shearman employees were out visiting local bars. It is understood that the associate and the vacation student separated …
The dismissal of a Shearman & Sterling associate from its London office following an alleged incident of sexual harassment of a vac scheme student has provoked mixed reactions amongst observers. Criticism has been aimed at the associate (obviously), the complainant (controversially) and the firm (subsequently)…
Time and place. The alleged incident took place on Friday 18 July when a large group of Shearman employees were out visiting local bars. It is understood that the associate and the vacation student separated from the group (which headed to the Chinawhite club in Piccadilly) and went to the Windmill strip club in Soho (which he paid for on the firm’s credit card). Where do you begin?
The complaint. The student claims that once inside the club the associate sexually harassed her. She made a formal complaint once her placement had finished on 24 July, and the associate was fired last Friday (1 August). The student subsequently got a training contract elsewhere. Serious matter; slow reaction?
The firm’s statement in a letter to the student: “Although we accept that the conduct displayed by the associate in taking you to The Windmill Club was deeply inappropriate, it was not a Shearman & Sterling organised event and we therefore accept no liability for what may have occurred.” But…
The associate in question was dismissed for bringing the firm into disrepute. Fair enough?
Finally judgement, or lack thereof. Easy pickings…
Got a story? Contact team solicitr
August 5, 2008
haha.
’sexually harassed her’ – what does that even mean?
why was she at the strip club anyway.
August 5, 2008
What planet was this girl from? She won’t last a minute in the City. The associate pulled some pretty stupid moves but since when did it become an offence to make a pass (without greater detail you have to assume that’s all it was) at a girl who has come willingly with you to a strip club? I mean I don’t know where everyone gets the idea that law firms are full of asexual beings but you have got to be detatched from reality if you think that vac scheme students, associates, partners and god knows who else don’t hook up all over the place when they are not in the office…The world is going mad!!!