Law Firm Employee Rebuked by Regulator for Assaulting Steward at Football Match
Nicholas Galloway, a former administrator at international law firm CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang, has received a rebuke from the regulator after assaulting a steward at a football match.
The incident occurred during Sheffield Wednesday’s FA Cup victory against Newcastle at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield in January 2023. Galloway, who was intoxicated and had no memory of the altercation, punched the steward, causing cuts, bruising, and swelling. He was subsequently arrested and ejected from the stadium, spending the night in police custody before being released on bail.
In April 2023, Galloway pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was required to adhere to a 120-day alcohol abstinence program, pay £1,000 in compensation, and received a five-year ban from Hillsborough stadium.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) stated that Galloway’s actions damaged public trust in the legal profession but opted for a written rebuke as the appropriate disciplinary action. The SRA concluded that a more severe punishment was unnecessary as the incident was deemed isolated, and Galloway displayed remorse and insight into his behavior, with a low risk of recurrence.
Galloway, who had been with CMS since 2017 but left the firm the previous year, was also ordered to cover £600 in costs associated with the proceedings.