Shearman Associate Axed Following Strip Club Outing

An associate in Shearman & Sterling’s London office has been fired because of allegations he took a summer associate to a strip club.

The law student, who has taken a training contract position with a different law firm, filed a formal complaint with Shearman about the outing, Legal Week reports. The summer associate says the evening began with an event organized by the firm attended by partners, associates and trainees. Those on the outing later broke up into smaller groups.

Shearman maintains it has no liability because the event was not formally organized by the law firm. “Shearman & Sterling takes such matters very seriously and, following a full investigation in accordance with internal disciplinary procedures, the associate has now left the firm,” a spokesman told Legal Week.

One career expert has criticized law firms for spending money on parties where alcohol sometimes flows freely. Writing for the National Law Journal, Lauren Stiller Rikleen said she has heard too many tales of summer associates who feel pressured to attend after-event parties that foster “an atmosphere that seems to condone inappropriate comments and sexual overtures.”