Proskauer Rose is close to reaching a settlement with a former executive it accused of stealing a huge swath of records relating to its finances and business strategy before leaving the firm.
Proskauer and Jonathan O’Brien, the firm’s ex-chief operating officer, are “optimistic” they can finalize a settlement agreement within 30 days, according to a letter submitted Tuesday by O’Brien’s counsel, Russell Beck. Beck asked the court to pause proceedings in the matter until Dec. 3.
The letter arrives nearly a year after Proskauer sued O’Brien in New York’s Southern District alleging he pilfered electronic files related to the firm’s finances, strategy and billing rates before abruptly resigning last December. The firm claimed O’Brien planned to use the files for a then-planned role at rival Paul Hastings, though the latter firm said in January O’Brien would not be joining.
O’Brien has denied allegations of stealing, claiming he had copied the firm’s confidential information on two hard drives to work on issues relating to his exit while on vacation on a remote tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
Proskauer’s counsel did not immediately return a request for comment on the settlement negotiations Tuesday. The two sides on May 30 told the court they wanted to discuss a potential settlement.
O’Brien, who is a UK citizen and not a lawyer, joined Proskauer in 2015 and served as its chief operating officer for five years. His career has included previous stints as the global finance director of The Boston Consulting Group, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The case is Proskauer Rose LLP v. O’Brien, S.D.N.Y., No. 1:22-cv-10918
To contact the reporter on this story:
To contact the editors responsible for this story:
Learn more about Bloomberg Law or Log In to keep reading:
See Breaking News in Context
Bloomberg Law provides trusted coverage of current events enhanced with legal analysis.
Already a subscriber?
Log in to keep reading or access research tools and resources.