Russell McVeagh announced external review following sex assault complaints

Friday, 23 February 2018

Russell McVeagh has announced it will open itself up to an external review in both Auckland and Wellington offices after reports of inappropriate sexual behaviour.

In a statement to media the firm's board and partners said it was due to media attention and reflection on the 2015-16 complaints it would look to 'understand if, how, and where we made errors'.

The company said the appointed reviewer will have full access to all material and staff. Current staff will be expected to participate in the review and former staff and summer clerks will also be invited to participate.

'The final review recommendations will be shared with those parties to whom we have professional obligations which include the women involved, staff, clients, and the Law Society,' the statement said.

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It was revealed last week interns in a clerk programme in Wellington during the 2015-16 summer complained of sexual harassment.

Victoria University of Wellington vice-chancellor professor Grant Guilford confirmed last week that in October 2016 they received complaints about the behaviour of staff at law firm Russell McVeagh during the 2015-16 summer. 

The statement from Russell McVeagh's board said the company was in the process appointing a suitable, qualified person, outside the legal community, to do an external review in relation to the incidents of sexual harassment in 2015-16.

'What happened in the summer of 2015-16 was completely unacceptable,' the statement said.

'Our intention is that the review will be led by a senior, independent, and well-regarded leader with recognised skills in culture, diversity, and inclusion.'

The review will cover: all actions taken with respect to the specific incidents; current management practices and policies in relation to preventing sexual harassment and supporting those who wish to make complaints; the organisational culture of the firm.

'The brave actions of the young women who spoke out, resulted in the board and managing partners taking significant action to improve our workplace culture over the past teo years and adopt a zero-tolerance policy with regard to sexual harassment,' the statement added.

The company said following the external review it would adopt findings into future management practice and the company's culture.

The statement added it had already seen a 'significant and positive cultural shift within the firm' and Russell McVeagh believed it took immediate action when it become aware of the incidents.

'Our ongoing approach to ensuring that no incidents of sexual harassment or bullying occur in our workplace is relentless and is supported by our partners and staff.'

Law Society president Kathryn Beck welcomed the move, although it was yet to be seen what the review would find,

'The fact they've already said it will be released to the women involved and the Law Society is a good thing. Committing to that without having seen the outcome is a brave move.'

She said there could be recommendations from the review that would apply across the profession. 

Alex Sims, associate professor in the department of commercial law at the University of Auckland, said the review said an industry-wide review was needed because Russell McVeagh was not the only firm at fault.

'In the aftermath of this there have been a lot of practising female lawyers saying they've all had first-hand experience of this.'

She said women were not progressing up the ranks in law - 'something's not right there'. It had taken young women to speak up because older female lawyers had become too used to the environment, she said.

'Sometimes you need a big wake-up call. It's not one company. It's a systemic problem.'

She said employers had a duty to do something if they knew there were issues within their ranks. 'You can't wait for someone to complain.'