A Canadian law firm is in disarray this week as fresh revelations broke of a night of debauchery following a student competition.
Back in 2009, lawyers at Toronto's Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP were celebrating the firm's annual student mooting competition with a boozy free-for-all at a nightclub. However, the next day junior associate Sarah Diebel turned in a 13-page sexual harassment complaint, describing the event as a "night of debauchery" at which "free booze flowed" and partners became "extremely intoxicated".
Diebel explained that "while I like to dance, I don't like being groped", and gave graphic details of various displays of what is known in Canada as "butt rubbing". Fellow lawyer Adrian Jakibchuk joined in during the firm's investigation, claiming that partner David Cowling indulged in both "breast feeling" and "smirking". Cowling denied everything, claimed his conduct had been appropriate and professional, and sued them both for $2.3 million for defamation.
And that's when further details started to emerge. In court papers, Diebel described the moment during which Cowling "scooped up" a drunken student from the floor. "Cowling and the very intoxicated student began to dance in a sexually explicit manner. The student's arms were placed around Cowling's neck and his hands were on her waist and buttocks. Whilst dancing, Cowling placed his hand on the student's breast. Shortly thereafter, the summer student fell to the floor...The summer student then went to the washroom where she vomited over her hair, body and clothes". Stay classy.
Cowling subsequently dropped his case and resigned. Diebel is gone too. Jakibchuk - also no longer at the firm - is now suing the firm for $1.3 million after being "ostracised". Unsurprisingly, the firm will not be holding any more parties.
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Back in 2009, lawyers at Toronto's Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP were celebrating the firm's annual student mooting competition with a boozy free-for-all at a nightclub. However, the next day junior associate Sarah Diebel turned in a 13-page sexual harassment complaint, describing the event as a "night of debauchery" at which "free booze flowed" and partners became "extremely intoxicated".
Diebel explained that "while I like to dance, I don't like being groped", and gave graphic details of various displays of what is known in Canada as "butt rubbing". Fellow lawyer Adrian Jakibchuk joined in during the firm's investigation, claiming that partner David Cowling indulged in both "breast feeling" and "smirking". Cowling denied everything, claimed his conduct had been appropriate and professional, and sued them both for $2.3 million for defamation.
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A summer party at Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP (artist's impression) |
And that's when further details started to emerge. In court papers, Diebel described the moment during which Cowling "scooped up" a drunken student from the floor. "Cowling and the very intoxicated student began to dance in a sexually explicit manner. The student's arms were placed around Cowling's neck and his hands were on her waist and buttocks. Whilst dancing, Cowling placed his hand on the student's breast. Shortly thereafter, the summer student fell to the floor...The summer student then went to the washroom where she vomited over her hair, body and clothes". Stay classy.
Cowling subsequently dropped his case and resigned. Diebel is gone too. Jakibchuk - also no longer at the firm - is now suing the firm for $1.3 million after being "ostracised". Unsurprisingly, the firm will not be holding any more parties.