Disgruntled ex-Linklaters exec agrees not to disclose information alleging Magic Circle firm’s ‘struggle’ with women
An aggrieved former senior executive at Magic Circle law firm Linklaters has agreed to destroy a set of documents related to a case about the firm’s alleged “ongoing struggle" with women.
Former chief marketing officer Frank Mellish had threatened to disclose information about the firm's culture and the way it dealt with three incidents internally after losing his job.
The firm had secured a temporary injunction to prevent him disclosing the information to the media.
Read more: Linklaters granted injunction over 'struggle with women' revelations
Today a judgment was published that confirmed that Linklaters and Mellish had come to a settlement, with Mellish agreeing to destroy confidential documents in his possession and agreeing not to disclose specified information.
Mellish had previously emailed the firm's senior partner saying he intended to "share my impressions of the current culture at Linklaters" and "the ongoing struggle Linklaters has with women in the workplace".
Read more: Former Linklaters partner sent to jail over sexual assault at Oktoberfest
Mellish made references to three "specific examples" which he claimed would "demonstrate the Linklaters culture" – the “Munich incident”, the “NY settlement” and the “London settlement”.
The Munich incident is understood to refer to a 2014 incident where a Linklaters tax partner Thomas Elser sexually assaulted an intern following a Linklaters’ Oktoberfest party.
Earlier this month Elser was jailed for three years and three months after losing his appeal against his sentence.
A Linklaters spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the court has approved an order reached by agreement which, in effect, makes the previous order final and brings these proceedings to an end.
"We did not take the decision to apply for an injunction lightly. We have a strong, supportive workplace culture and everyone working with us should be able to rely on information shared confidentially with the firm remaining confidential.”