A former partner in the London office of White & Case, Michael Wistow, has accused his former firm of being a “toxic environment,” saying he was fired from the firm when he suffered mental health issues following his wife’s death from cancer. The former co-head of the EMEA tax practice sued the firm in a London employment tribunal alleging disability discrimination, saying his anxiety and depression following the death of his wife was a mental impairment.
As reported by Bloomberg, Wistow alleges in lieu of support for his bereavement, he dealt with a problematic atmosphere:
Wistow said that the symptoms of his poor mental health led to “a substantial adverse effect on my ability to carry out day to day activities,” but instead of being offered support during this time, he endured a “toxic environment,” according to a statement prepared for a hearing this week.
He also compared the culture at White & Case to other Biglaw firms and finds that firm lacking:
Wistow said in his disability impact statement prepared for the tribunal that the culture was “toxic like nothing I had experienced at the other major City law firms I had worked at before.” Wistow had previously spent 20 years at Clifford Chance LLP.
Among his claims, Wistow said he was accused of “lacking commitment” when he took a day off to spend time with his sick wife on her birthday, and senior management or HR did not follow up after he told them he was struggling. He also alleged he was “badgered” by the...
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