Allegations Of Harassment By A Partner Surround Associate's Departure From Proskauer

Proskauer says they're "committed to ensuring everyone in our Firm is treated with respect and dignity."

According to a report from Roll on Friday, an associate in the London office of Proskauer Rose has left the firm after experiencing harassment at the hands of a partner. Indeed, they report the “associate was ‘harassed’ by the partner until she quit.” The harassed associate has reportedly found a job at another law firm.

Though the exact nature of the allegations remains unknown, we do know that last week the managing partner of the London office, Mary Kuusisto, was joined by the firm’s compliance officer to have what’s being described as “an unusual ‘townhall’ meeting.” At the meeting employees were told about the harassment allegations, though the identity of the partner involved was not revealed. According to sources, the message from the town hall was to “remind[] everyone to act appropriately” and “to remember their obligations.” Which is British for, “stop with the harassment, y’all.”

In a statement given to Roll on Friday, the firm provided platitudes and assurances about their protocols:

“Proskauer does not tolerate disrespectful or inappropriate behaviour and holds everyone in our Firm to the highest standards of conduct”, the firm said in a statement.

“We encourage anyone to report behaviour that they believe violates Proskauer’s policies and provide confidential avenues to do so. We follow strict protocols to investigate complaints. Proskauer remains committed to ensuring everyone in our Firm is treated with respect and dignity.”

Of course, these words may not do a lot of good to the associate who has allegedly already changed her career path because of a partner’s actions.


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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