Baker & McKenzie, one of the world’s largest law firms, has taken the highly unusual step of expelling one of its senior European partners.
The US firm’s policy committee has voted unanimously to oust Christoph Kerres, a senior mergers and acquisitions lawyer, “in light of various conduct considered inconsistent with his remaining a partner,” the firm said.
Herr Kerres, a founder of Kerres & Diwok, an Austrian firm taken over by Baker & McKenzie in 2003, had been under investigation for alleged professional misconduct.
He remained a partner and continued to work for clients during the investigation but has now left the firm.
Advertisement
Baker & McKenzie said routine checks on Herr Kerres’ work uncovered “behaviour which caused the firm concern” but declined to elaborate.
However, Herr Kerres told the Times Online the expulsion was a reaction to his firm deciding to sever ties with Baker & McKenzie over “cultural differences.”
The US firm denies this and says Herr Kerres does not have the authority to announce a unilateral breakaway move.
Baker & McKenzie said the remainder of its Vienna office, which has five other partners, continues to function as part of the global firm.