Thomas
Elser
Non-lawyer manager
837036
Decision - Employee-related decision
Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)
Outcome date: 22 February 2022
Published date: 1 March 2022
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Linklaters LLP
Address(es): Sky Tower, Einsteinstrasse 174, Postbox 80 15 20, 81677, Munich, Germany
Firm ID: 462941
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
IN THE MATTER OF: Dr Thomas Elser of Frankfurt, Germany
A person who is or was involved in a legal practice but is not a solicitor
THE FACTS
On 9 February 2018, Dr Elser was convicted of a sexual offence by the Munich Regional Court in Germany, for which he was sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment.
Dr Elser was employed by Linklaters LLP (a recognised body) in its office at Sky Tower Einsteinstrasse 174 Postbox 80 15 20, 81677 Munich, Germany at the time he committed the offence. The conviction related to conduct which occurred immediately following an Oktoberfest celebration arranged by the firm.
Dr Elser resigned from the firm on 14 November 2014.
FINDING
Dr Elser, who is not a solicitor, was involved in a legal practice and has been convicted of a criminal offence which is such that it is undesirable for him to be involved in a legal practice in any of the ways described in the order below.
ORDER
To make an order pursuant to section 43 that with effect from the date of the letter or email notifying Dr Elser of this decision:
- no solicitor shall employ or remunerate him in connection with his / her practice as a solicitor;
- no employee of a solicitor shall employ or remunerate him in connection with the solicitor’s practice;
- no recognised body shall employ or remunerate him;
- no manager or employee of a recognised body shall employ or remunerate him in connection with the business of that body;
- no recognised body or manager or employee of such a body shall permit him to be a manager of the body; and
- no recognised body or manager or employee of such a body shall permit him to have an interest in the body
except in accordance with the SRA’s prior written permission.