Freshfields partner accused of slapping DJ in argument over music
A senior partner at Magic Circle law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has been accused of slapping a DJ in an argument at a cocktail party.
Herve Pisani, the managing partner of Freshfields Paris office, was accused of the assault by the unnamed DJ after a party for the firm’s partners in September last year.
According to legal gossip site Roll on Friday (ROF), the DJ was performing at the cocktail party last September at the Mona Bismarck, an arts centre on the banks of the Seine.
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The DJ’s complaint, filed at the High Court of Paris, said the DJ was approached by Pisani at around half past midnight to complain about the music.
The DJ said he was unable to change the music as the playlist had been agreed in advance with a marketing officer at Freshfields.
ROF reports that Pisani allegedly told the DJ to put something else on “like a good service provider”.
Pisani allegedly jabbed his finger at the DJ when he made his complaint. When the DJ pushed his finger away, the DJ alleges Pisani “violently slapped” him.
Pisani also allegedly told the DJ he would make sure he lost his job if he reported the incident.
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Pisani has been a partner at Freshfields since 2012 and became managing partner of its Paris office last April.
Average profit per equity partner was £1.734m at Freshfields last year, while top partners can earn up to £3.5m.
Earlier this week fellow Magic Circle firm Linklaters was granted an interim injunction against its former chief marketing officer who had threatened to go public with information about the firm’s alleged “ongoing struggle with women”.
Separately, one of Linklaters former partners received three years in jail this week after failing in an appeal against a conviction for sexual assault.
Thomas Elser, who was a partner in the firm’s Munich office, attacked an intern following an Oktoberfest party held by the firm in September 2014.
Another partner, Laurenz Schmitt, was also fired from the firm for attacking Elser following the incident.
Freshfields declined to comment. Pisani was approached for comment.