Legal Cheek reports
The managing partner of Baker McKenzie in Belgium has temporarily stepped down from his leadership role pending the completion of the firm’s review into claims of racism.
Daniel Fesler, an experienced lawyer of nearly 30 years, has stepped aside from his leadership role, the international firm confirmed.
The news comes just days after we exclusively revealed that a former lawyer at the firm quit over what she claims was a “lack of diversity” in a departing email to colleagues.
The mixed-race lawyer, who we have not named, alleges a series of discriminatory incidents took place during her time at the firm, which include colleagues using the “N word”, touching her hair, and questioning whether a family photo was “a rap album cover”.
She also says she was “yelled at” by a staff member for reporting the use of “blackface” during a traditional “Sinterklass” event and that her work email address indicated only part of her surname as “it would otherwise be confusing for clients”.
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Baker McKenzie Belgium managing partner steps down pending review into office racism claims
