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I have some incredibly disappointing news from across the pond. The findings of an investigation into the death of a young Biglaw partner have been released.
Vanessa Ford, 47, was a partner at Pinsent Masons, a big law firm ranked among the top Global 200 firms. She reportedly worked 18-hour days and even holidays before Ford sold Everton Football Club. US private equity firm. Her husband, Oliver, said she was racked with guilt for missing out on spending time with her two children. Ford tragically passed away just over a week after her contract was signed. Law360 has additional information.
[Assistant coroner Ian] Mr Potter said Mr Ford was in a “severe mental health crisis” and had a “significant” amount of alcohol when he fell onto railway tracks in east London and was hit by a train on September 23. He concluded that he had ingested the same amount of alcohol, but said that was not the case. She recorded her conclusion of suicide because she could not determine whether she intended to commit suicide.
“At some point just before going to the bridge, Vanessa was experiencing some kind of mental health crisis, which, combined with the level of alcohol she had consumed, was affecting her reasoning and thinking abilities. There is clear evidence to suggest that he is deaf.” Please make a properly considered decision,” Mr Potter said as he recorded the verdict.
“Therefore, I conclude that she did not die by suicide,” he added.
British Transport Police detective Stephen Gadd said Mr Ford left a note at his home expressing “a degree of helplessness” before he died. Shortly before her death, she called a mental health professional to discuss her depression and alcohol use, but she was unable to make an appointment.
Company manager Matt Morgan said Ford had not raised any issues regarding stress or work-life balance and was aware of the company’s mental health helpline. “Nobody was worried about the pressure Vanessa was under. [the Everton deal],” he said. “She was very positive…very proud of the work she did.”
Laura Cameron, managing partner at Pinsent Masons LLP, said Ford was “very much missed.”
“Vanessa was a talented and inspirational woman who was highly respected and admired by her colleagues and customers at Pinsent Masons,” she said. “Our thoughts remain with her husband, her son, her family and her friends who have all suffered such a devastating loss.”
We at Above the Law would like to extend our condolences to Vanessa Ford’s family, friends, and colleagues during this extremely difficult time.
If you or someone you know is depressed and needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or your state’s Attorney Assistance Program (don’t be fooled by the name. Please call . serves law students). Remember that you are loved. If you need help, please reach out.
Pinsent Mason’s partner felt guilty about his job before he died [Law360]
Pinsent Mason’s partner suffered an ‘acute mental health crisis’ before death, coroner says [Law.com International]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she has worked since 2011. She would love to hear from you, so if you have any tips, questions, comments, or critiques, feel free to email them.she can follow her twitter Connect with her on Threads or LinkedIn.
