The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed that DLA Piper sports and media partner Nick West will face a hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) over a string of sexist emails sent to Premier League boss Richard Scudamore in 2014. The email exchange, leaked by Mr Scudamore's former personal assistant, reportedly contained sexually explicit and derogatory comments about Mr Scudamore's female colleagues.
Disciplinary action
DLA Piper has so far stood by Mr West, releasing a statement in 2014 stating that the firm had 'accepted West's assurances that these emails are not reflective of his beliefs or values and that there will be no recurrence of this behaviour', though acknowledging that Mr West had '[failed] to meet the high professional standards in which we take pride as a firm.' The firm has not yet commented on the latest SDT referral. The SRA will now need to prove to the criminal standard of proof that Mr West engaged in an inappropriate communications with a client. If found guilty before the SDT, Mr West could be handed a fine or face being struck from the roll.
New senior partner
Meanwhile, Madrid-based corporate partner Juan Picon has been elected as DLA Piper's new senior partner and global co-chairman. He will succeed outgoing boss and firm legend Sir Nigel Knowles who announced his retirement last month. Mr Picon is currently DLA Piper's managing director for Europe and the Middle East and co-chair of its Latin American practice. He will take over as senior partner from 1 May. Sources: Legal Business; The Lawyer; Legal Cheek; The Lawyer (2)
Email your news and story ideas to: [email protected]
