They arrived from a magic circle firm just months ago
Two junior solicitors at the London office of Debevoise & Plimpton have left the firm under mysterious circumstances.
Legal Cheek understands that the two associates, who we have identified but chosen not to name, have parted ways with the top-paying firm despite both only arriving from a magic circle outfit several months ago.
Contrary to reports claiming they were given their marching orders, sources have told Legal Cheek that the duo were not sacked but simply left Debevoise last week. The firm has since wiped their profiles from its website, although versions (anonymised screenshots below) remain accessible via the Google Cache. Debevoise declined to comment.
Since the pair’s curious departure, one of the solicitors has taken steps to erase all traces of his brief spell at Debevoise from his LinkedIn page. The other’s profile still shows him being at the firm.
Headquartered in New York, Debevoise — which is renowned for its private equity, funds and litigation work — offers around eight City training contracts each year. It’s also one of the best-paying firms in the City: first year trainees earn £50,000, second years £55,000 and the newly qualified salary is a massive £120,000. Lord Goldsmith QC, the firm’s London co-managing partner, is a former Attorney General for England and Wales.
The Debevoise departures came in the same week the firm was drafted in to investigate sexual harassment allegations against the American film producer Harvey Weinstein. The Weinstein Company — the independent production company that Weinstein himself helped found — has called upon the lawyer services of the firm’s New York partner John Kiernan, as well as lawyers from other firms.
Legal Cheek has contacted the two solicitors and asked them to comment, so far without response.