A law firm co-owner has been struck off the solicitor’s roll following findings of “appalling conduct” that included harassment and bullying of junior colleagues.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has formally struck off Domenico Pisaro, a co-owner of a North London law firm, for behaviour described as violent and harassing towards junior staff. His actions created a workplace that was labelled as both “unsafe and toxic” by his co-director, Levent Hasan, who ultimately advised staff to work remotely due to the hostile environment.
The misconduct allegations against Mr. Pisaro were supported by nine specific instances of inappropriate conduct verified from September 2021. These included offensive language, aggressive behaviour, and inappropriate physical proximity in professional settings. Moreover, Mr. Pisaro was noted for using degrading and homophobic language about former employees during office interactions, alongside other vulgar expressions in the workplace.
Among the troubling reports, a trainee solicitor described an incident where Mr. Pisaro shouted in her face during a client’s remote meeting, and a work experience student recounted being physically intimidated by Mr. Pisaro. The tribunal also heard testimonies of Mr. Pisaro showing inappropriate images to a female paralegal and making sexually suggestive comments.
The SDT reported a separate issue surrounding a family law case handled by the firm. Mr. Pisaro falsely accused Mr. Hasan of mishandling the case in communications with a barrister and external parties, and he continued to make derogatory remarks regarding his colleagues’ professional competencies. These statements were found to be untrue and malicious, further contributing to the tribunal’s decision to strike him off.
The SDT stated that Mr. Pisaro’s actions breached multiple professional conduct rules and demonstrated a significant lack of integrity. Despite initially engaging with the investigation led by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Mr. Pisaro did not participate in the SDT hearing, citing health conditions but refusing medical assessment.
In its conclusion, the SDT highlighted the severity of Mr. Pisaro’s conduct, which was said to cause both physical and emotional harm to colleagues. As a result, the tribunal ordered him to pay £42,000 in costs.
The tribunal’s decision underscores the importance of maintaining a professional and respectful workplace environment, emphasising that misconduct will not be tolerated.
