Rot ‘far broader’ than one law firm

The rot at the root of the Russell McVeagh sex scandal is ‘‘far broader’’ than any one firm, the Women’s Law Journal says as it ditches a sponsorship deal.

New Zealand Women’s Law Journal editors-in-chief Ana Lenard and Allanah Colley have spoken out for the first time since the allegations about the law firm surfaced.

In a statement they wrote: ‘‘The events of the last few weeks show that the problem is far broader than Russell McVeagh.

‘‘It is not an issue of working long hours and alcohol-fuelled social events ... it is about the sexist thinking that people have failed to challenge for far too long.

‘‘Anything else is a scapegoat. We believe now is the time for the leaders of our profession to take responsibility and initiate change.

‘‘We are deeply disappointed by many of the responses from senior members of the profession ... The women involved and anyone who has suffered because of the inappropriate actions of others deserve our support.

‘‘They also deserve a comprehensive, creative and paradigmshifting response.’’

The pair said they took so long to speak out because they needed time to ‘‘consider our relationship with the firm’’.

‘‘We have had a frank conversation with Russell McVeagh about the complaints, the firm’s culture and the steps the firm has taken subsequently.

‘‘Russell McVeagh seem to have genuine concern for the complainants and have told us of their endeavours to do best by them and ensure this never happens again. In spite of this, we feel it is best for us to put our relationship on hold so that Russell McVeagh can review its policies, practices and culture.’’

Lenard and Colley went on to praise some in the profession for their proactive response to the situation.