Co-Founder Fired After Refusing Office Return Policy at $8B Asset Firm

William Nieuport, co-founder of the $8 billion American asset management company Bramshill Investments, was fired from his own firm after refusing to comply with a mandatory return-to-office policy he had initially agreed to. The policy, signed in 2022 by Nieuport and his partners Steven Selber and Art De-Gatno, required all employees to work from one of the company’s three offices five days a week by July or face termination with severance.

Living in San Ramon, Northern California, far from the nearest office in Newport Beach, Nieuport argued that as a partner-owner, not a regular employee, the policy did not apply to him. His partners disagreed, and several months after the policy was issued, he received a termination letter accusing him of knowingly and deliberately failing to report to work.

Nieuport’s lawyer contends the policy only applies to employees and is not valid grounds for dismissal under the company’s operating agreement. Furthermore, Nieuport claims he was fired just three days after discussing selling his stake with De-Gatno, before the 30-day notice period had elapsed. He alleges the policy was exploited to force him out and seize control of his shares.

Bramshill Investments denied these claims, stating Nieuport was terminated for breaching his duties and is not entitled to the $30 million he is suing for. Currently, Nieuport lives in Nevada and works remotely for a startup company.