In a notable disciplinary action, a partner at a leading law firm has been banned after admitting to pursuing an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has imposed a five-year ban on Takeshige Sugimoto, a partner and registered foreign lawyer at the Brussels office of a renowned City law firm. Mr Sugimoto admitted to wanting a sexual relationship with a junior female colleague under his supervision. This verdict follows a comprehensive review of his conduct, where he was found to have misused his position of authority.
The SDT revealed that Mr Sugimoto had overwhelmed the junior consultant, referred to as Person B, with 989 WhatsApp messages over a span of two months, professing his intense affection. The tribunal highlighted the significant imbalance of power in their professional relationship, accentuated by Mr Sugimoto’s senior role and authority over the inexperienced consultant. It was noted that Mr Sugimoto, who joined the Brussels office as a partner shortly after being registered as a foreign lawyer in June 2018, was expelled by the firm in July 2019 due to these events.
Person B, described by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as junior and inexperienced, reported directly to Mr Sugimoto. She had recently relocated to Brussels and lacked local personal support. Despite these circumstances, Mr Sugimoto pursued her relentlessly. The tribunal noted that Mr Sugimoto invited her to dinner on her very first day at work, questioned her about her personal life, and made comparisons to other colleagues. The messages he sent were often out of office hours and included declarations of love and admiration.
Despite the overwhelming attention, Person B did not reciprocate Mr Sugimoto’s advances. The SRA reports that her anxiety and lack of local support contributed to her silence regarding the uncomfortable situation. Person B was faced with intense pressure to maintain professionalism, a difficult task given the constant attention and her position within the firm.
Following these events, Mr Sugimoto admitted to breaching professional standards, including a lack of integrity and engaging in misconduct that brought disrepute to the profession. He described his actions as being influenced by personal distress, including the loss of his father and subsequent depression. He further acknowledged becoming fixated on Person B during a vulnerable period.
The tribunal concluded that Mr Sugimoto’s actions were primarily driven by sexual motives, contradicting his professional obligations. Consequently, a ban under section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974 was imposed, preventing him from working in the legal profession for five years. Additionally, he was ordered to pay significant legal costs amounting to £36,000.
The tribunal’s decision underscores the professional responsibilities and ethical boundaries expected within legal practice, reaffirming that misuse of authority will be met with severe consequences.
