Clifford Chance fires Perth partner for ‘serious misconduct’

_{The partner allegedly used similar tactics against landlords offering “sex spots.” (This photo is, by the way, a mock-up.)}

Clifford Chance has dismissed a partner from its Perth office for “serious misconduct”.

Magic Circle said that after receiving complaints about the partner, it “immediately” suspended him and launched an internal investigation.

“The investigation has now been concluded and has led to the removal of the partner from the firm,” a CC spokesman said.

According to a source told RollOnFriday, the investigation was launched following more than five reports of sexual harassment, including allegations that a male partner offered “promotions and advancement in exchange for sexual favors.”

The company declined to comment on the matter, and the partner fired on June 13, whose identity was not disclosed by ROF, did not respond to a request for comment.

Charles Adams, global managing partner of Clifford Chance, said: “We are deeply saddened by what has happened and the impact it has had on our colleagues.”

“We have offered and continue to offer our full support to these colleagues. I want to thank them for speaking out and assure everyone across the business of our commitment to creating a workplace where they are respected and inappropriate behaviour of any kind is completely unacceptable and will be dealt with vigorously,” he said.

Connie Heng, Managing Director of Clifford Chance Asia Pacific, said: “We recognise the seriousness of the situation and are fully committed to learning from this experience and promoting a working environment where everyone is safe and respected, and where any type of inappropriate behaviour is called out.”

She added that the company had hired Australian consulting firm Elizabeth Broderick & Co., which specialises in gender and workplace discrimination, to analyse the culture in its Australian offices. The company said it “provides high-level strategic analysis, assessment, advice and planning to organisations looking to strengthen their workplace culture”.

The company is known to have reported the matter to Australian and British authorities.

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