A veteran solicitor who made unwanted sexual comments to multiple women at the office Christmas party has been suspended for a year.
Timothy Eagle, formerly senior partner with Norfolk firm Hansells Solicitors, said to one of the women that ‘if I was 20 years younger, I would like to f*** you right now’. He kissed another woman on the shoulder and when she told him to stop he replied ‘I don’t believe you, every woman likes being kissed’.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said Eagle had failed to take full responsibility as he argued unsuccessfully that his behaviour was involuntary and influenced by alcohol.
‘The tribunal found that Mr Eagle’s motivation for his misconduct was sexual motivation which was an aggravating feature of it,’ added the ruling. ‘His behaviour arose from actions which were not premeditated. Mr Eagle nevertheless had direct control and responsibility for the circumstances giving rise to his misconduct.
Eagle, admitted in 1983, attended the firm’s 2022 Christmas lunch and joined colleagues when further celebrations took place in the office. The tribunal heard that two colleagues had suggested to Eagle that he go home because he was so drunk, and his partner was later called to collect him.
