Ex-Simpson Thacher paralegal rebuked over drink-driving conviction

A former Simpson Thacher paralegal has been rebuked by the SRA after being convicted of drink driving and driving without insurance.

Sam Baker-Harber, who was working as a funds paralegal at the US firm's London office at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty in January last year to drink driving and driving without a valid insurance policy.

He subsequently worked as a paralegal at Proskauer's London office.

According to a decision published by the SRA on 11 June, Baker-Harber was convicted at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court last year over an incident that took place in December 2024.

The court imposed a 12-month community order requiring him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge.

Previous conviction

In its decision, the SRA said Baker-Harber's conduct breached Principle 2 of the SRA Principles, which requires individuals to act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the profession.

The regulator said the misconduct was aggravated by the fact Baker-Harber had a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol.

It also noted that the sentence imposed by the court exceeded the more typical outcome of a financial penalty for such offences.

Despite those factors, the SRA concluded that a written rebuke was an appropriate and proportionate sanction. The regulator cited Baker-Harber's insight and remorse as mitigating factors.

He was also ordered to pay £600 towards the SRA's costs.