Ex-staffer doubts law firm probe
Former worker backs review but fears Russell McVeagh cynicism
A former Russell McVeagh employee says an external review announced by the law firm into sexual allegations involving law students is good news, but they were still “a bit cynical” about the process.
Despite repeated warnings about excessive drinking and inappropriate behaviour by top lawyers towards summer law clerks the attitude was they were “young, hyper-sensitive girls dramatising things . . . be quiet”, the former employee said.
The person spoke to the Weekend Herald on the condition of anonymity.
New policies had been introduced after the allegations, but that wasn’t enough — and the ex-employee hoped the review would deliver personal accountability for behaviour they believed had been going on for too long.
The former employee said they would take part in the review — open to people who have worked at the top firm — but only if asked.
In a press release yesterday, the firm said the board was finalising the appointment of a suitably qualified person, outside of the legal community, to undertake the review.
Russell McVeagh has also said the final recommendations would be shared with parties which the company had a professional obligation to, including the women involved, staff, clients, and the New Zealand Law Society.
Law Society president Kathryn Beck said that, and the review, was welcome. “That’s quite a brave commitment.”
As well as potentially giving “real clarity” about what happened in the summer of 2015/16, the insights gained and recommendations made by the investigator could be useful across the industry in future.
“It’s about culture change. People can have all the things on paper . . . but it’s about what happens in the workplace.”
The review was announced after allegations by former Russell McVeagh staff to Newsroom over sexually inappropriate behaviour.
A former employee told the Herald on Sunday last week senior managers at the leading law firm had ignored repeated warnings about the behaviour and the drinking culture.
Two incidents reportedly happened at Christmas functions and another at the El Horno Bar in Wellington. At least one complaint was made to police about a man’s behaviour at El Horno.
Victoria University vicechancellor Grant Guilford was not available yesterday but previously said he understood a young law clerk student who was part of a summer programme made an allegation of sexual assault.
He was aware of several other young women who also allegedly experienced sexually inappropriate behaviour at the time.
Long-standing Russell McVeagh chief executive Gary McDiarmid said full internal investigations took place after the allegations were made, and the subject of the allegations left the firm.
The review would include all actions taken in response to the specific incidents, management practices and policies in relation to preventing sexual harassment, and supporting those who wished to make complaints, and the organisational culture of the firm.
What happened in the summer of 2015/16 was “completely unacceptable” and the “brave” women who spoke out about it at the time had led to actions being taken to improve the workplace culture, the firm said in yesterday’s statement.
The firm believed actions taken immediately after becoming aware of the incidents were the right ones.
“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.”
Meanwhile, amid the turmoil besetting the firm, McDiarmid is leaving.
He had announced to partners in June that he was “planning on leaving within the next two years with a final date to be agreed with myself and the board”, he said. “In December I confirmed to partners that I would leave at the end of this year.”