Domenico Pisano

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Domenico (Dominic) Pisano, a senior partner at Dominic Levent Solicitors, faced allegations of bullying, harassment and abusive conduct towards junior colleagues (including shouting, kicking a placement student, showing pornographic images, homophobic language and an inappropriate sexual comment and religious remark), and of making inappropriate, unsubstantiated and untrue allegations about colleagues and a client's mental capacity to counsel, accountants, the SRA, a court and the opposing side. The Tribunal, proceeding in his absence, found all allegations proven except 1.2.1, finding breaches of Principles 2, 5, 6 and 7 and Outcomes 1.2 and 1.4. Although statements were found to be things he knew or ought to have known were untrue, the Tribunal made findings of lack of integrity rather than an express finding of dishonesty. Culpability and harm were at the highest level with numerous aggravating factors and no insight. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £41,875.44.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Misconduct involved violence, bullying, harassment and coercion with and without sexual elements
• Abuse of position of seniority and authority
• Took advantage of a vulnerable client, jeopardising her case
• Took advantage of university placement students
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated conduct over a period of at least 6 months
• No insight; sought to blame others
• Experienced solicitor
• Caused physical and emotional harm to junior colleagues and clients

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters