The highlight is on Jeffrey Bronheim, the previous London managing companion of Cohen & Gresser, who’s now below investigation by the U.Okay.’s Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). And in case you thought this was going to be a light HR hiccup, buckle up: in line with reporting from Legislation.com, the allegations embrace sexual harassment, repeated inappropriate conduct, and a sample of conduct that made a number of girls on the agency uncomfortable.
Sources instructed Legislation.com that Bronheim allegedly engaged in sexual harassment of a employees member on a number of events between 2022 and 2023. The conduct reportedly included each verbally inappropriate feedback and bodily inappropriate conduct. There are additionally claims that Bronheim made undesirable bodily contact, bought or mentioned “objects of a private nature,” and acted inappropriately towards different feminine employees. A number of girls additionally reported feeling excluded from work-related social gatherings due to his conduct — which is definitely one method to poison a office tradition.
Based on a spokesperson, once they agency discovered of the allegations they “initiated a radical, impartial investigation, which included interviews of each present worker and companion with information of the info and circumstances,” and he was “instantly eliminated as agency managing companion.”
The spokesperson continued that Bronheim “was instructed to work remotely, and was restricted from attending in-person agency actions whereas the matter was below evaluate,” and he was required to “bear one-on-one sensitivity teaching.”
“[Bronheim] subsequently selected to not return to the workplace as a companion and as an alternative requested to transition to an exterior part-time consulting position, which the agency’s administration accepted,” the agency’s assertion learn.
However Bronheim insists it wasn’t a demotion from companion, however a profession selection he made. As Bronhem instructed Legislation.com, “Actually, the investigation concluded and I used to be scheduled to return to the workplace. As an alternative, I made a decision to resign my London partnership whereas remaining a part-time guide to the New York workplace of the agency and pursuing different pursuits in London.”
Nevertheless, this chapter of Bronheim’s story isn’t over. There’s nonetheless the matter of the SRA investigation. Cohen & Gresser self-reported to the regulators and turned over their 250-page report on the matter. An SRA spokesperson mentioned, “We’re investigating this matter, earlier than deciding on subsequent steps.”
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Legislation, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Pondering Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are one of the best, so please join along with her. Be at liberty to e mail her with any ideas, questions, or feedback and comply with her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].
