Biglaw

Biglaw Partner Faces Accusations Of Sexual Misconduct

He's been placed on indefinite leave by the firm.

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Image via FRESHFIELDS

Ryan Beckwith

A partner in the London office of the Magic Circle firm of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Ryan Beckwith, is facing a tribunal by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) over allegations he engaged in sexual activity with a junior colleague without her consent. In addition to the disciplinary board, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has referred the matter to police and Freshfields is conducting its own internal investigation. Beckwith is on indefinite leave from the firm.

When Beckwith was placed on indefinite leave by the firm, Freshfields made the following statement:

“We are aware of the publication regarding a hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal involving a partner at the firm, who is on indefinite leave. The matter is subject to proceedings and we are unable to comment further.”

As reported by the Law Society Gazette, while the full list of charges against Beckwith has not been released, the SRA alleges Beckwith’s conduct was unbecoming a solicitor and a misuse of his power. The SRA alleges that the sexual contact between the junior colleague, referred to as “Person A” in the case materials, took place when “complainant was not in a position to consent.” The incident allegedly took place after an event where Beckwith had been buying drinks for coworkers. According to a witness statement, Person A had six or seven glasses of wine as well as Jagerbombs that evening.

On Friday there was a case management hearing in the SDT case. As reported by Legal Cheek, Beckwith’s barrister, Alisdair Williamson QC of Three Raymond Buildings, argued the case was outside of the SRA’s authority and should be placed on hold until the police investigation is concluded. Additionally, Williamson challenged the credibility of Person A’s statements and the way the investigation was handled by former SRA investigations lead, Hazel Padmore.

The case management hearing will continue in June, and the substantive hearing is scheduled for September.

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headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. 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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