Baker McKenzie Sues Ex-Associate Accusing Firm’s DC Head of Sex Assault

Baker McKenzie is suing a tax lawyer for defamation after she said she was sexually assaulted by the head of the firm’s Washington, DC office.

Brooke Radford falsely accused Maurice Bellan of sexual assault after she was fired for using her firm credit card to buy clothes and make other unauthorized purchases, Baker McKenzie alleged in a complaint, which the firm says it filed Friday in DC Superior Court. She defamed the firm by “trolling” on social media platforms with false claims that Baker McKenzie leadership covered up the assault, according to the complaint.

Radford in LinkedIn posts beginning Sept. 16 said Bellan assaulted her and other employees. The DC-based former associate said she was fired after she turned down his advances, some of which “were monetary.” She also accused Baker McKenzie of “making a mockery” of victims of sexual assault.

Radford declined to comment on the lawsuit. She said before the suit was filed that she planned to take legal action against Baker McKenzie over the alleged assault.

“Ms. Radford’s public statements are false, defamatory and malicious,” a firm spokesperson said via email.

Radford worked in Baker McKenzie’s DC office for nearly three years before leaving in July, according to her LinkedIn profile. She focused on transfer pricing and tax disputes after initially joining the firm as a summer associate.

Bellan, who is also suing Radford for defamation, is a veteran litigator who has worked at Baker McKenzie for more than a decade. Bellan did not reply to a request for comment. The global firm’s Washington office is home to roughly 100 attorneys.

Baker McKenzie said in the complaint it became aware earlier this year that Radford charged more than 100 unauthorized purchases on her firm credit card, including clothes, food deliveries, Lyft rides, and first class plane tickets. She was fired after she refused to participate in an investigation into the charges, according to the firm.

The firm, represented by lawyers from Jackson Lewis, is seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages.

The case is: Baker & McKenzie v. Radford, D.C. Super. Ct., 9/19/25

—Roy Strom contributed to this report