Renowned law firm, Proskauer Rose, is reportedly on the verge of reaching a settlement with its former Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan O’Brien, said to have absconded with a significant expanse of records relevant to the firm’s finances, and business strategy. The records in question were allegedly taken just prior to O’Brien’s departure from the company.
The dispute between Proskauer and its former executive came into the limelight nearly a year back, when the firm initiated a lawsuit against O’Brien. The suit was filed in the Southern District of New York, alleging that the executive had improperly taken hold of electronic files encompassing various facets of the firm’s operations ranging from strategy to billing rates, prior to his abrupt resignation in December the preceding year. Further, it was claimed that O’Brien intended to put these records to use in a forthcoming role at rival firm, Paul Hastings. However, Paul Hastings declared in January that O’Brien would not join their team.
O’Brien, a UK national and non-attorney, refutes Proskauer’s theft allegations. He justified his actions by avowing that the firm’s confidential information was copied to two hard drives, to facilitate working on issues pertinent to his departure while on vacation at an undisturbed tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
The commencement of settlement talks between both parties was announced to the court on May 30. O’Brien’s counsel, Russell Beck, has conveyed in a recent letter that Proskauer and his client are “optimistic” about finalizing terms of the settlement agreement within the coming month. In light of the developments, he requested the court to suspend ongoing proceedings until December 3.
Jonathan O’Brien joined Proskauer in 2015, holding his position as Chief Operating Officer for a considerable span of five years. His noteworthy professional trajectory includes serving as the Global Finance Director for the Boston Consulting Group. O’Brien’s progression and the case details can be reviewed via his LinkedIn Profile and the case Proskauer Rose LLP v. O’Brien respectively.
Proskauer’s representative was not available for a comment on the settlement negotiations this Tuesday.
For more details on this matter, refer here.