Scathing letter from Auckland University to Russell McVeagh outlines decision to cut ties

Thursday, 1 March 2018

Auckland University top brass were assured by law firm Russell McVeagh that its culture had changed before allegations broke of sexual misconduct at the firm.

A scathing letter from University of Auckland law dean Andrew Stockley to Russell McVeagh board chair Malcolm Crotty, obtained by Stuff, reveals the university's dismay as it all-but severs ties with the firm.

The letter, sent on Thursday, said the university's Vice-Chancellor and Stockley met with the firm in November.

'We were assured that systems had been put in place to guarantee the safety and welfare of students who take up summer clerkships with your firm and measures were being taken to ensure the firm's culture reflected this,' the letter said.

**READ MORE:

* Law Society says system 'should be improved'

* Russell McVeagh responds to fresh accusations

* Law clerk students report inappropriate sexual behaviour

* Russell McVeagh backtracks on pro bono work claim

* Russell McVeagh announced external review**

Reference was made of a letter sent from 'New Zealand law deans' to Russell McVeagh.

'We were concerned that there had not been a full and frank disclosure to us of the on-going links maintained with staff who were exited and that more was not done to sever these.'

The Auckland law school told Russell McVeagh it had put its relationship 'on hold' for the remainder of 2018.

'We will not accept funding from Russell McVeagh or marketing by Russell McVeagh during this time.'

Stockley said there was a strong feeling within the university that there was not a stronger apology and public recognition of 'the harm that some women law students have experienced, and that the answers reported in the media have been unduly legalistic and narrow'.

Meanwhile Newsroom reported on Wednesday that all six law schools had cut ties with the firm as it conducts an independent review into the sexual misconduct and its culture.

The website reported Otago, Canterbury, Waikato, AUT and Victoria universities had rejected any recruitment branding or Russell McVeagh-related events on campus.

Apart from AUT - which had no funding arrangements with the firm - the majority of universities had gone further stating they were willing to reimburse the New Zealand Law Students' Association (NZLSA) if it decided to cut all sponsorship ties with the firm.