A major Dublin law firm has accused an internationally regarded former partner of gross misconduct, an employment tribunal heard on Friday.
Solicitor Bruno Herbots, a former junior partner at Beauchamps Solicitors in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, is claiming unfair dismissal on foot of events that took place in 2015.
Michael MacNamee, BL, representing Mr Herbots, told an Employment Appeals Tribunal that his client was a legal expert in the field of construction and public procurement who began working for Beauchamps in 2007.
Beauchamps Solicitors was represented by Tom Mallon, BL, of Beauchamps. A number of representatives from the firm were also present at the tribunal.
Mr Herbots “worked away for years”, according to Mr MacNamee, until he handed in a letter of resignation on February 9th, 2015. In this letter, Mr Herbots said he was offered a job in another firm and wanted to officially notify Beauchamps of his resignation. He said he was happy to work out his six-month notice period from that date.
Full notice
Mr MacNamee said John White, a managing partner with Beauchamps, spoke to Mr Herbots, and he was asked to work out his full notice.
But on February 27th, Mr Herbots received a “lengthy” letter from Mr White which set out a series of allegations, in which Mr White claimed that Mr Herbots displayed a lack of fidelity to Beauchamps.
The letter noted that the firm had received recent correspondence from White Paper Conference Company, regarding a procurement conference on April 24th. In the email, Mr Herbots was advertised as one of the speakers, and described as working for another firm, namely, Noble Solicitors.
The letter alleged gross misconduct on the part of Mr Herbots, and Mr White informed him that his employment would cease immediately, his salary was to be cut off, his office locked and access to the building would be denied, Mr MacNamee told the inquiry.
Mr White also sought a response to the allegations from Mr Herbots by March 1st.
Disappointment
Mr Herbots replied to Mr White on March 6th, 2015, expressing his disappointment that things were ending in this manner.
“I am satisfied I acted in an honest and fair manner,” Mr Herbots said in a written response to Mr White.
“I was prepared to work out my notice but you’ve made it impossible for me to work my notice.
“This is just about the worst possible outcome from my perspective and I’m not willing to accept it.”
Mr Herbots is now seeking compensation reflecting the unexpired balance of his resignation letter, which is for five months, Mr MacNamee said.
The hearing will continue on February 28th next.
