Biglaw

Biglaw Firm Fires Partner After Investigation Into His Conduct

Orrick is not the first firm to act swiftly in the face of allegations against a partner.

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Pascal Agboyibor

Big news from Biglaw giant Orrick — they’ve asked a partner to leave the firm over reports of inappropriate behavior. Pascal Agboyibor, who joined the firm in 2002, was based in the firm’s Paris office and led their Africa practice as well as serving as a member of the board. According to a firm statement made to American Lawyer, he is now out of the firm:

“Pascal Agboyibor, of our Paris office, is no longer a partner at Orrick,” the firm said in a statement issued to The American Lawyer. “This is a decision taken by our board in order to uphold our values and culture, and is entirely unrelated to client work. To respect the request for privacy of a third party at Orrick, we cannot share any further details.”

According to reports, sources say that a “team member” complained of Agboyibor’s behavior in December. This triggered an independent investigation by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. That investigation reportedly found inappropriate behavior and lapses in judgment which led to his ouster, and Agboyibor’s last day at the firm was Friday.

Yves Lepage of the Paris office, will assume Agboyibor’s position as head of the firm’s Africa practice.

While details about the behavior that led to the removal of Agboyibor are unlikely to become public, it will still be read against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement. Orrick is not the first firm to act swiftly in the face of allegations against a partner. Hopefully the trend of valuing employees’ well being over a partner’s book of business continues.

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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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