Allen & Overy drawn into Weinstein scandal with role for Miramax on non-disclosure agreement

Allen & Overy (A&O) has been drawn into the sexual harassment scandal surrounding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, after details emerged of the firm’s historic role advising Miramax in relation to claims made against Weinstein 19 years ago.

The magic circle firm was drafted in to advise Miramax when the producer’s then assistant Zelda Perkins accused him of sexual harassment in 1998.

Law Firms Mentioned

<a href="http://www.almcms.com/contrib

/uploads/sites/378/2017/10/Harvey-Weinstein-2-Article-201710092236.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-68086" src="http://www.almcms.com/contrib

/uploads/sites/378/2017/10/Harvey-Weinstein-2-Article-201710092236.jpg" alt="" width="620" height="372" /></a> Allen & Overy (A&O) has been drawn into the sexual harassment scandal surrounding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, after details emerged of��the firm's historic��role advising Miramax in relation to claims made against Weinstein 19 years ago. The magic circle firm was drafted in to advise Miramax when the producer's then assistant Zelda Perkins accused him of sexual harassment in 1998. A&O's role was revealed in a <a href="https://www.ft.com

/1dc8a8ae-b7e0-11e7-8c12-5661783e5589?mhq5j=e7">Financial Times article</a> published yesterday, which states that Perkins' lawyers Simons Muirhead & Burton advised her, and a colleague accusing Weinstein of sexual assault, to seek a damages agreement against Weinstein. In the FT article, Perkins��recounts visiting A&O��s City office to discuss a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that the firm drew up��as part of the��settlement, including a ��250,000 payout to be split between the two women. Allen & Overy declined to confirm details of its role, however the FT article names London employment partner Mark Mansell as playing a key role in the negotiations. Perkins�� decision to breach the terms of the NDA follows weeks of revelations against the disgraced Hollywood mogul, following an investigation by the New York Times. According to sources, A&O's role for Miramax was a one-off, with the FT report stating that among other clauses in the NDA Perkins was required to contact Mansell if she was ever required to give evidence in "any criminal legal process" involving Weinstein or Miramax. However, the FT article states she decided to breach the terms of the agreement in order to raise awareness of the NDA process. Perkins is quoted in the article explaining her decision by saying: ��I want to publicly break my non-disclosure agreement. Unless somebody does this there won��t be a debate about how egregious these agreements are and the amount of duress that victims are put under. My entire world fell in because I thought the law was there to protect those who abided by it. I discovered that it had nothing to do with right and wrong and everything to do with money and power." So far, about 50 women have accused Weinstein of a range of offences, including harassment and rape. A <a href="https://www.ft.com

/1dc8a8ae-b7e0-11e7-8c12-5661783e5589?mhq5j=e7">recent Legal Week survey</a> into sexual harassment at law firms found two thirds of female lawyers have experienced some form of sexual harassment while working in a law firm. A&O declined to comment. Simons Muirhead & Burton was contacted for comment.   <ul> <li>If you have a story you are willing to share (in confidence) about sexual harassment you've experienced in a law firm please get in touch��by emailing Georgina Stanley at [email protected]</li> </ul> <

Trending Stories

Lawyer, Mother and the Dark Night of the Soul: What We Are Doing to Women at Law Firms

International Edition

When Big Law Buys Books of Business in Asia and Deep Pockets Backfire

International Edition

'A Game of Musical Chairs': Big Law's Shifting Debt Finance Scene in London

International Edition

Herbert Smith Freehills Promotes 27 to Global Partnership

International Edition

Allen & Overy Hits Milbank Again for London Partner Hire

International Edition

People, Places & Profits, Part III: Are Law Firm Financial Metrics Keeping Pace With Inflationary Growth?

People, Places & Profits, Part II: A Look at the Geographic Destinations of the Am Law 200

A Tragic Death: How Should Big Law Respond to the Industry's Mental Health Crisis?

Featured Firms

Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates P.C.
75 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Ste 101
Atlanta, GA 30308
(470) 294-1674
www.garymartinhays.com

Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone
2 Oliver St #608
Boston, MA 02109
(857) 444-6468
www.marksalomone.com

Smith & Hassler
1225 N Loop W #525
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 739-1250
www.smithandhassler.com

Presented by BigVoodoo

More From ALM

The recent SEC release comes with significant changes for private fund managers. Hear expert insights on what happened, what it means, and what the compliance considerations are.

Countdown to Compliance: SEC Private Fund Reforms

Brought to you by Ontra
Download Now

Are you managing NDAs with the speed and precision the market demands? Download this guide to learn about the most important terms in private equity NDA to help streamline your workflows.

The Top 10 Terms in Private Equity NDAs

Brought to you by Ontra
Download Now

As private equity fund managers, remaining compliant on every front is critical as the SEC continues to intensify enforcement efforts and propose reforms. Learn how to improve your compliance and face your biggest risks head on in this guide.

Top 10 Compliance Concerns for Private Fund Managers

Brought to you by Ontra
Download Now

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Team Accounts

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

From Data to Decisions

Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.

Legal Innovation Awards 2024

May 23, 2024
London

Celebrate outstanding achievement in law firms, chambers, in-house legal departments and alternative business structures.

Learn More

African Legal Awards 2024

September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.

Learn More

GlobeSt. Multifamily Spring 2024

April 18, 2024
New York, NY

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers & financiers at THE MULTIFAMILY EVENT OF THE YEAR!

Learn More

Legal Writing & Research Professional

Atlanta s John Marshall Law School is seeking to hire one or more full-time, visiting Legal WritingInstructors to teach Legal Research, Anal...

Apply Now ›

Premises Liability Litigation Attorney Needed (3-6 yr.)

Lower Manhattan firm seeks a premises liability litigator (i.e., depositions, SJ motions, and/or trials) with at least 3-6 years of experien...

Apply Now ›

Staff Attorney (Workers' Compensation)

At NJM, a top-rated insurance company, we are seeking an Attorney on our Workers Compensation legal team with between 3 and 5 years of expe...

Apply Now ›

MELICK & PORTER, LLP

04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS

View Announcement ›

Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy, P.C.

04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement

View Announcement ›

Robbins Alloy Belinfante Littlefield

04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days

View Announcement ›

Allen & Overy drawn into Weinstein scandal with role for Miramax on non-disclosure agreement

Thank you for sharing!

You Might Like

Litigation Funders Have Won the Battle—But Will They Win the War?

UK Tribunal 'Dismisses' AML Case Against Dentons

Rimon Lures Restructuring Veteran from Gibson Dunn with Innovative Fee Structure, Plants Flag in Singapore

Herbert Smith Freehills Refreshes Global Arbitration Leadership

Law Firms Mentioned

Featured Firms

More From ALM

Allen & Overy drawn into Weinstein scandal with role for Miramax on non-disclosure agreement

Share with Email

Thank you for sharing!

You Might Like

Litigation Funders Have Won the Battle—But Will They Win the War?

UK Tribunal 'Dismisses' AML Case Against Dentons

Rimon Lures Restructuring Veteran from Gibson Dunn with Innovative Fee Structure, Plants Flag in Singapore

Herbert Smith Freehills Refreshes Global Arbitration Leadership

Law Firms Mentioned

Trending Stories

Featured Firms

More From ALM

Subscribe to International Edition