Stephenson Harwood's Paris office is being run from London by the firm's CEO following a "revolt" by the French partnership, sources claim, although the firm maintains that everything is fine.
Insiders report that Paris managing partner Alain Gautron was "unceremoniously dropped" after partners in the office threatened to leave the firm. It is now being run from London by Sharon White, Stephenson Harwood's chief executive. It is not known why the French partners are uppity, but RollOnFriday understands that White was compelled to take charge because the French partnership was unable to agree upon a replacement for Gautron.
However, a Stephenson Harwood spokeswoman told RollOnFriday that Gautron's term was due to end in July and that he has now "expressed a wish to focus his energy and enthusiasm on client work rather than continue for a second term". She said he was, "a great lawyer with a very successful practice and he's happy to be spending more time with his clients and less on day-to-day management and its corresponding paperwork!" She confirmed that White is acting as the Paris managing partner "for now at least".
Gautron joined Stephenson Harwood in 2010 from Norton Rose Fulbright and headed up the Paris office for three years, bulking out the partnership with lateral hires. It now comprises seven partners and ten associates, and a boss 258 miles away. Hopefully nausea-prone UK trainees won't have to carry messages between them.
Tip Off ROF
Insiders report that Paris managing partner Alain Gautron was "unceremoniously dropped" after partners in the office threatened to leave the firm. It is now being run from London by Sharon White, Stephenson Harwood's chief executive. It is not known why the French partners are uppity, but RollOnFriday understands that White was compelled to take charge because the French partnership was unable to agree upon a replacement for Gautron.
"I cannot 'ear 'er very well, but I zink she eez shouting at us to, oui - 'grow up'?" |
However, a Stephenson Harwood spokeswoman told RollOnFriday that Gautron's term was due to end in July and that he has now "expressed a wish to focus his energy and enthusiasm on client work rather than continue for a second term". She said he was, "a great lawyer with a very successful practice and he's happy to be spending more time with his clients and less on day-to-day management and its corresponding paperwork!" She confirmed that White is acting as the Paris managing partner "for now at least".
Gautron joined Stephenson Harwood in 2010 from Norton Rose Fulbright and headed up the Paris office for three years, bulking out the partnership with lateral hires. It now comprises seven partners and ten associates, and a boss 258 miles away. Hopefully nausea-prone UK trainees won't have to carry messages between them.
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The clue is, I feel, in the word "French".
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Very naughty RoF.
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