Former high-flying lawyer at top firm fined for sexual harassment

A former law-firm partner has been censured and fined by the Law Society after an investigation into his sexual harassment of two employees.

The man, whose name is redacted from the Lawyers Standards Committee decision which considered his case, was removed from the firm’s partnership and later resigned following his behaviour at two social events.

The firm — which is also redacted in the decision — reported his conduct to the Law Society, leading to the standards committee’s investigation.

The committee yesterday said his actions amounted to unsatisfactory conduct. It ordered he be censured, fined $12,500 and required to pay costs of $2500.

The first incident occurred at the firm’s offices during its Friday night drinks, the decision reads.

The drunk partner touched the leg of a female solicitor near him and told her: “You are very attractive.”

Upset, the woman left but wanted partners to know about the incident while not wishing to complain formally.

Senior lawyers at the firm talked with the man about his behaviour.

He didn’t deny his actions but said he had no recollection of them. He was rebuked and warned against further inappropriate behaviour, but his harassment happened again, at the firm’s end-of-year party. This time he directed his unwanted attention towards a female employee who was not a lawyer.

The second incident was reported but he said he had no memory of it.

He was immediately suspended and removed from the partnership. He later resigned.

The committee decided a charge of misconduct was not justified.

Neil Mallon of the Law Society said the committee took into account the man’s acceptance of full responsibility, his actions to address his behaviour, the views of the employees involved and the firm’s actions.