Wednesday, February 25, 2026
City lawyer suspended after alleged antisemitic slurs and harassment at work events
Ryan Williams, formerly a partner at SBP Law, was accused of making racist comments, engaging in unwanted sexual contact and becoming severely intoxicated at firm gatherings in London.
According to documents filed before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, Mr Williams allegedly told a Jewish colleague at a summer party in north London in 2021 that antisemitism "doesn't exist", adding: "You're all on top".
The tribunal also heard claims that he repeatedly used a racist slur at the same event and later became "incredibly drunk", at one point urinating on his clothes and being unable to stand.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which brought the case, said Mr Williams became "increasingly loud and aggressive" during the evening, throwing pizza around a pub garden before an Uber driver refused to take him home.
Further allegations relate to comments made while Mr Williams was working on a case involving a Jewish security charity. A Jewish colleague told the tribunal that Mr Williams said antisemitism "did not exist" and claimed there was only security outside synagogues "because they have lots of money".
At the firm's Christmas party later that year, Mr Williams is alleged to have told the same colleague: "You only got your job because you are Jewish" and "you Jewish people think you're better than everyone else". He is also said to have referred to another colleague's "big Jew hands".
The tribunal also heard allegations of sexual misconduct. Following a Christmas lunch at the Dorchester Hotel, Mr Williams is accused of slapping one female colleague on the inner thigh and touching her and another colleague on the bottom while in a bar later that day.
The SRA said the behaviour amounted to bullying, harassment and discrimination, and accused Mr Williams of failing to uphold public trust and confidence in the legal profession.
It is understood that the tribunal has imposed a 12-month suspension, with a full judgment yet to be published.
Mr Williams, now a partner at Healys, denied making any antisemitic comments or ever using the racist slur. He admitted suggesting that two colleagues should sleep together, but said he did not recall using the words alleged and had no recollection of touching anyone inappropriately.
A spokesman for SBP Law said: "Immediately these events were brought to our attention, we suspended Mr Williams, and upon our investigation of matters, he resigned from the practice. We do not tolerate such conduct."
Comments:
Post a Comment
