Independent
Review of

Russell McVeagh

March?June 201 8

Dame Margaret Bazley, ONZ DNZM

 

 

 

Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
March–June 2018

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
What is the most important thing in the world?

He tāngata, he tāngata,
he tāngata.
It is the people, it is the people,
it is the people.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
March–June 2018

Acknowledgements
This report on recent incidents and events related to the law firm Russell McVeagh
is the result of an intensive process of review, with contributions from over 250
people. It reflects the level of commitment to telling the story of what happened
and didn’t happen and the dreams and disappointments of the people who have
worked for the firm in recent years.
I particularly acknowledge and thank those who initially came forward with
information about their experiences, which in turn led to this review. I am very
aware of the impact that their experiences has had on them. Their courage in
coming forward has led the way for changes in the culture and workplace of
Russell McVeagh and the wider legal profession so that future generations of
young people entering the profession will be safe.
I acknowledge and thank the Russell McVeagh partners and staff, past and present,
and others who made time to meet with me during the review. Without their
willingness to share their stories, insights, and experiences, I would not have been
able to form such a complete picture of the incidents, their handling, and the
culture of Russell McVeagh as it exists today.
I would also like to acknowledge the contribution made by the counsel who acted
for the five summer clerks in such a skilful and sensitive way. They also ensured
that my short timeframes were met.
I acknowledge the assistance and support provided to me by counsel Simon
Mount QC and Julia Spelman, senior executive Jill Atkinson, and administrator Di
White. They worked hard to assist me with carrying out the review and ensuring
that it was completed in the required timeframe.

Dame Margaret Bazley, ONZ DNZM

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
March–June 2018

Contents
Acknowledgements

ii

Overview

3

Recommendations

5

Introduction and Context

11

Independent Review Commissioned

11

Processes of the Review Team

12

Russell McVeagh

14

Composition of the Firm

14

Partnership Model

15

Recruitment

15

Term of Reference One

18

What I Was Told

18

What the Firm Knew before the Incidents

20

The Firm’s Response

22

Assessment of the Firm’s Response to the Incidents

26

Issues Arising Following the Incidents

29

2016–18 Developments

34

Term of Reference Two

39

Other Incidents of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault

40

Other Incidents of Improper Conduct

42

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Term of Reference Three – Part One

49

Relevant Russell McVeagh Policies, Standards, and Systems

49

Policy Gaps

53

Russell McVeagh Initiatives

53

Term of Reference Three – Part Two

56

Poor Work Management Practices

57

The Business Model

60

The Role and Function of Human Resources

70

Term of Reference Four – Culture

73

Past Culture

73

Current Culture

74

Transformation of the Culture

75

Appendices

83

Appendix One – New Zealand Law Society Gender Equality
Charter

84

Appendix Two – Actions Taken by Russell McVeagh Over the
Last Few Years

86

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
March–June 2018

Overview
In February 2018, the law firm Russell McVeagh asked me to review claims that five
summer clerks were sexually harassed over a three-week period in the summer of
2015-16 by a partner and solicitor from one team in the firm’s Wellington office. I
was also asked to review any other incidents brought to my attention, the firm’s
framework of policies, standards and systems, and its culture. I acknowledge
Russell McVeagh for commissioning an independent, external review and for
agreeing to release it publicly.
Over the last four months I have heard from more than 250 people. Most told me
that Russell McVeagh is a great place to work, that they had a fantastic experience
there, they enjoyed working with top quality lawyers and had excellent training
while working on complex and leading edge legal issues. I was heartened to meet
with so many motivated and talented lawyers during the review. I also spoke to
many dedicated and hardworking support staff.
Where possible I have described the details of what I have been told. I had hoped
to be able to describe the details of all of the 2015-16 incidents, but this has not
been possible. In some instances I received requests for privacy and I have sought
to strike a balance between privacy and the benefits of accurately describing the
allegations. In particular, I have reflected the wishes of the women concerned in the
way the allegations have been described. Ultimately, it has not proved necessary
for me to reach factual findings about the incidents themselves, but I have
concluded that the firm handled the incidents poorly. The failures have had serious
consequences for the people involved.
This review has been complex and has required careful consideration and
balancing of a wide range of perspectives. The overarching impressions I have
formed over the course of the review are:
First, I found that in the past Russell McVeagh had a ‘work hard, play hard’ culture
that involved excessive drinking and in some instances crude, drunken, and
sexually inappropriate behaviour. Junior lawyers and other young staff were
encouraged to drink to excess. After the incidents the firm moved decisively to
address these issues and began to change the culture. Two and a half years later,
during my review, I was not told of any recent instances of sexual harassment,
sexual assault, or alcohol fuelled misbehaviour.

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Second, in reviewing the firm’s response to the incidents I found failings in the
firm’s governance, structure, management, policies, standards, and systems, as well
as the lack of a code of conduct. These failings contributed to the poor
management of the incidents of 2015-16. I found that there was no-one in charge
in the Wellington office, the team within which the incidents occurred was out of
control, and what was happening in that team was not noticed by the partners or
brought to the attention of the Board.
Third, as part of my broader review of the firm’s culture I was surprised to hear of
pockets of bullying, poor work management practices resulting in excessive work
hours for junior lawyers, and fear among lawyers and partners about the potential
consequences of speaking out. A recent survey of all lawyers by the New Zealand
Law Society revealed that bullying and harassment are problems across the entire
legal profession. This does not minimise the reality of what has occurred at Russell
McVeagh, but means the firm is not alone in needing to confront these issues. To
its credit, the firm has not shied away from the problems, and has moved to act
immediately to address them.
Fourth, although nearly 30 percent of partners are women and progress has been
made with gender equality, many talented women lawyers still leave the firm rather
than progressing to partnership. This is disappointing and a big loss for the firm.
Progress has also been made in the LGBTTI and diversity areas, but ongoing work
is required to address sexism and unconscious bias. I consider any form of
discrimination against women to be a serious issue because it inhibits the change
that is needed to achieve the complete elimination of sexual harassment and
sexual assault.
Fifth, cultural change of the magnitude contemplated by this review takes
persistent and consistent effort to embed. Building on the work the firm has
already begun, it is imperative that the Board, Chief Executive, and every partner
are committed to the proposed transformation of the firm’s culture and that they
have a 10-year plan to implement, monitor, and audit the change.
The young people who were involved in these disgraceful incidents at the start of
their working lives, and who have had the courage to speak out, have been a
catalyst for change for Russell McVeagh and the wider legal profession. It is my
hope that the changes proposed will ensure that future generations of junior
lawyers will be safe and able to realise their full potential.
The firm has accepted the recommendations set out in this report, and with the
leadership of the current Board, I am confident it is well-placed to tackle the
challenges ahead.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Recommendations
Recommendation numbers from the body of the report appear in square brackets.

Incidents of the 2015–16 Summer


That the firm acknowledges its handling of the incidents was poor and
issues a full apology for its actions and inaction to those involved,
including staff. [2]



That the firm acknowledges its mistake in leaving the handling of these
complex and highly sensitive incidents to the HR Director, who lacked the
appropriate expertise. [3]



That the firm reviews the capacity and capability of the HR team to
deal with sensitive sexual complaints and recognise when an
independent investigation may be required. [6]



That the firm enlists external expertise to develop a stand-alone sexual
harassment and sexual assault policy. [4]



That the firm, and the profession more generally, does whatever is
necessary to ensure there is a strong regulatory regime in place to deal
with those who act in sexually inappropriate ways. [8]



That tight control be maintained over the availability of alcohol. [19]

Bullying


That the Board Chair makes it clear to all partners and staff that the
firm has zero tolerance of bullying and that there is no place in the firm
for perpetrators of it. At the same time, the Board Chair needs to assure
junior staff that they are safe from such behaviour. [9]



That the firm develops a stand-alone anti-bullying policy. [10]



That the firm puts in place a confidential mechanism for reports of
bullying. This process needs to have multiple options and pathways for
reporting, including internal and external contact points. [11]



That the firm acts swiftly in relation to any reports of bullying by giving
the partner (or other staff member) the opportunity to change and be
closely managed; however, if change isn't made and maintained,
disciplinary action should be taken. [12]
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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Management Practices


That a pre-requisite for promotion to partner or senior lawyer includes
an improved assessment of demonstrable management capability. [21]



That a training programme for partners and senior lawyers be
expanded to include a far greater emphasis on management skills,
particularly the management of people. This training should be
compulsory. [22, 45]



That consideration be given to whether the firm has sufficient senior
lawyers who, along with the partners, have the time to explicitly focus
on people management, supervision, and training for junior lawyers.
[24]



That partners should model family-friendly practices and leave the
office at a reasonable hour each evening, and ensure that their staff do
the same, remaining late only in exceptional circumstances. [25]



That a fair system of days in lieu or payment for overtime be
developed, applied consistently, and not left to the discretion of
partners. [23]

Policies


That the firm engages an independent expert to advise on the
adequacy of existing policies, standards and systems; to identify any
gaps; and to address these through the development or revision of new
policies, standards and systems. In particular:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

sexual harassment and sexual assault (stand-alone policy)
anti-bullying (stand-alone policy)
alcohol use
host responsibility
expected behaviours at social functions
the provision of employment references
reallocation of a partner’s files upon their departure, including
the nature of any ongoing relationship
media protocols
intimate and familial relationships between staff
managing poor performance, and
code of conduct.

This should be done in consultation with staff. [1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18]


That the firm reviews its list of approved counsellors to ensure the
providers are both independent and perceived to be independent. [5]

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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

That exit interviews be conducted by an independent consultant,
communicated to, and acted upon by the Board with regular monitoring
and reporting. [20]

Board and Partners


That an update of the recent independent review of the governance of
the firm be conducted to advise on:
(a) The tenure of the Board Chair and Board members.
(b) The role of the Board Chair and the establishment of a separate
National Managing Partner role with specific responsibility for
organisational transformation and culture.
(c) The appropriate form of leadership of the Wellington office with
consideration given to establishing a managing partner role for the
Wellington office, reporting to the National Managing Partner.
(d) The role and value of having a Chair of the Partnership.
(e) The appointment of an independent Board member with specialist
people leadership and culture change experience.
(f) The adequacy of Board reports with respect to staff management
and welfare. [31]



That the Succession and Admissions Committee introduces a far more
rigorous system of appraising leadership and management skills of
potential partners. This committee should contract an external person
experienced in such assessments for this purpose. [28]



That, as part of the updated independent governance review (see [31]),
consideration be given to the Board’s committees. In particular:
(a) The appropriate role and operation of the Ethics Committee.
(b) The appointment of joint male and female chairs for the Succession
and Admissions Committee.
(c) The appointment of an external specialist to support the Succession
and Admissions Committee and to advise on obtaining extensive,
impartial assessments of staff being put forward for promotion to
partnership and other senior roles.
(d) Establishing two new committees: the People and Transformation
Committee, and national Practice Group Chairs.
(e) Ensuring the People and Transformation Committee has specific
oversight for the transformation of the firm’s culture, building on the
work being done on changing the business model and the structure
of the firm from being hierarchical to open and collaborative.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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(f) The appointment of external specialists to support the People and
Transformation Committee, including people skilled at facilitating a
collaborative way of working.
(g) Ensuring the Practice Group Chairs look strategically at the future of
legal practice at Russell McVeagh. [32]


That an inclusive, firm-wide process be run to agree the attributes and
behaviours of Russell McVeagh partners and that these reflect the firm’s
expectations of its partners with regard to people management. [26]



That the agreed attributes and behaviours of partners are an integral
part of the 360 degree appraisal system for partners. [27]



That, as part of the preparation for the step to partnership, prospective
partners be required to complete a comprehensive training module in
staff management and people leadership, with an emphasis on the
‘softer skills’ of being a leader. [29, 45]



That the process for promotion to senior solicitor and senior associate
levels also includes an assessment of management, including people
management skills and attitudes. [30]

Management


That the Chief Executive’s position description and responsibilities be
reviewed. [33]



That the structure, function, and efficacy of the management team,
particularly the HR function, be examined at the same time as the Chief
Executive’s role is being reviewed. [36]



That the Chief Executive’s accountabilities for staff management and the
Board Chair’s accountability for partners’ performance management
are clearly aligned. [34]



That clear boundaries and respect for the roles of governance and
management are maintained. [35]



That, as part of the proposed review of the firm’s management
structure, an external expert be brought in to review and redesign the
HR function to get clarity of its role, function, and reporting lines. In
particular, this should consider:
(a) Appointing a manager with dedicated responsibility for recruiting
and administering the firm’s scholarships/summer clerk/graduate
programmes.
(b) Recruiting an expert HR practitioner to focus on the provision of
core HR services.
(c) Creating a new senior manager role with responsibility for
supporting the proposed People and Transformation Committee of
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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
March–June 2018

the Board with the transformation of the culture. This manager
should be a well-respected expert in cultural transformation. [37]


That a part-time HR manager be appointed in the Wellington office.
This position could be combined with the position of manager of the
Wellington office. [38]

Women and the Voice of Junior Lawyers


That senior and junior women sit down together to explore what can be
changed so that women can maintain their career progression within the
firm to reach partnership as they raise a family, such as part-time work
or job sharing. [43]



That meaningful, safe opportunities and mechanisms for ensuring junior
lawyers have a voice are explored and implemented, and that this is
led by the junior lawyers themselves. [44]



That the firm implements mandatory unconscious bias training for staff
at all levels. [15]

Culture and Transformation


That the Board and partners commit to leading a programme of
transformational change to Russell McVeagh’s culture. [39]



That collaboration becomes the way of working where staff across
functional groups and seniority levels have the opportunity to hear one
another’s perspectives and learn the value of ‘giving a bit to gain a bit’.
[41]



That the proposed People and Transformation Committee of the Board
be mandated to drive the transformation of the firm’s culture. [42]



That a programme of training to embed the new culture be developed,
with attendance at these training sessions factored into every staff
member’s work hours and allowance made in billing targets; training
should be compulsory for all, partners included. [46]

Monitoring and Auditing


That the firm develops a 10-year plan to ensure the changes to culture
are implemented, monitored, audited, and reported upon to the Board
and staff to ensure they become embedded. [40]



That the firm continues its efforts to achieve gender equality and to
demonstrate progress by reporting back to the Law Society in line with
the requirements of the society’s Gender Equality Charter. [14]

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
March–June 2018

Law Society and Universities


That Russell McVeagh and other law firms partner to support the New
Zealand Law Society to provide leadership and advocacy for all law
practitioners at this time. [47]



That the universities advocate for and model excellence in standards of
behaviour for the legal profession. [48]

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Introduction and Context
During the summer of 2015–16, five women who
were employed as summer clerks in the Wellington
office of Russell McVeagh alleged a number of
incidents of sexual harassment and inappropriate
sexual conduct.
The alleged incidents are said to have taken place at three different events: the
firm-wide Christmas party in December 2015, a smaller team Christmas party in
December 2015, and following a team event in January 2016. The two men alleged
to be involved left Russell McVeagh shortly afterwards. The summer clerks returned
to university in February 2016. Issues arising from the incidents and the firm’s poor
handling of them resurfaced a number of times in the following two and a half
years. The Law Society and the universities became involved. While the media
became aware of the allegations some time earlier, the Newsroom website
published details for the first time on 14 February 2018.1

Independent Review Commissioned
On 7 March 2018, Russell McVeagh announced that Dame Margaret Bazley (ONZ
DNZM) would conduct an independent, external review.

Terms of Reference
The following terms of reference were agreed for the independent, external review:



To review both the sexual harassment claims related to the period
December 2015 to January 2016 and the firm’s response to those claims.



To consider any other sexual harassment claims or any other improper
conduct that may be brought to the attention of the external reviewer, and
the firm's response to those claims.

1. “The summer interns and the law firm”, 14 February 2018, updated 21 February 2018:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/02/14/88663/the-summer-interns-and-the-lawfirm# [accessed 5 June 2018].

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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

To consider the firm’s standards, systems, and policies relating to the
management of staff, the firm’s implementation of those policies, and
whether they adequately safeguard staff from sexual harassment.



To assess the culture of the firm.



To give advice and make recommendations in relation to the above.

Processes of the Review Team
The review took place over a four-month period between March and June 2018.
I was assisted in the review by Jill Atkinson, an experienced senior executive, and
Julia Spelman, a Wellington barrister. Simon Mount QC was legal advisor for the
review. Di White was the administrator for the review team.
The review was open to current and former Russell McVeagh staff at all levels and
any other interested parties who wished to participate.
The privacy of participants and complainants was of the utmost importance to the
review team and the following steps were undertaken to maintain privacy:



An independent contact email (ereview@rmcvexternal.com) and an
independent free phone number were established. The email and phone
mailboxes were accessible only by the review team.



Interviews took place at separate premises offsite in Wellington and
Auckland unless the interviewee requested an interview at a Russell
McVeagh office.



An independent administrator assisted with scheduling.



Interviews were not audio recorded.



The review team made handwritten notes during the interviews; these
notes are private and confidential.



An agreement was reached with Russell McVeagh that the confidentiality of
the interviewees was paramount and that the firm would have no visibility
of who was interviewed or of any material provided to the review team.

Review of Documents
During the review, I had full access to the files relating to the incidents along with
ancillary documentation that informed the firm’s handling of the incidents. I also
examined all relevant documentation relating to the firm’s policies, systems, and
standards in place at the time of the incidents, how these have changed over the
past two and a half years, and any new policies, systems, and standards that have
been introduced.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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I also read a significant number of exit interviews to assess whether the feedback
provided by staff leaving the firm was acted upon.

Written Submissions
I received 45 written contributions which included written submissions and
informal emails. Twenty-seven of the people who provided written submissions
were also interviewed. Eighteen provided written feedback only.

Interviews
Significant numbers of individuals participated in the review. In total, 198 interviews
were conducted. Most of the interviews were with individuals but I also saw a
number of groups of people. In total 237 people were interviewed.
Seventy interviews took place in Wellington and 128 interviews took place in
Auckland. This included 13 phone and Skype interviews with those who were
unable to meet me in person. This also included interviews with the President of
the New Zealand Law Society, the Wellington Women Lawyers Association, the
Vice-Chancellors of all the New Zealand universities, and the Deans of each of the
law faculties.

Reporting
It was agreed that this report would be made publicly available and that there
would only be one version of the report. Furthermore, it was agreed that the report
would not name interviewees or anyone who was involved in any of the
allegations.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Russell McVeagh
Russell McVeagh is a full service corporate law firm
with around 330 staff across offices in Auckland and
Wellington. It is one of the oldest established law
practices in New Zealand, celebrating its 150th
anniversary in 2013. From its beginnings as a oneman practice, the firm has grown to a large national
firm acting on behalf of some of the country’s
largest and most influential companies.
Russell McVeagh positions itself as New Zealand’s premier law firm, with a publicly
stated commitment to “operating on the cutting edge of legal practice”. The firm
prides itself on its reputation as “champions for their clients’ strategic goals” and
for being the ‘go-to’ firm for tackling complex and time sensitive problems.
The firm advises across nine key practice areas with lawyers who, I am told, are
highly regarded in their fields and internationally recognised for their expertise.

Composition of the Firm
The firm comprises approximately 330 staff. Of these, approximately 200 are legal
staff and 130 are non-legal staff (management and support). The firm gave me the
following figures to show the gender breakdown among legal staff at the firm:

Level
Graduate

Number
36

Women
64%

Men
36%

Solicitor
Senior Solicitor

84
21

45%
66%

55%
34%

Senior Associate
Special Counsel
Consultant

20
8
2

30%
63%
50%

70%
37%
50%

Partner

35

29%

71%

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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As seen above, women are well represented at the graduate, solicitor, and senior
solicitor level, but this drops off at the senior associate and partner level.
With regard to the firm’s non-legal staff 75 percent are women and 25 percent are
men.
Junior lawyers make up over 50 percent of the firm. Many of them are young and
Russell McVeagh is their first professional job.
The Wellington office used to be much larger but has reduced in staff numbers
over time as business has moved from the capital to Auckland. The Wellington
office now has around 80 staff, with the remainder in Auckland.

Partnership Model
Russell McVeagh operates as a parity partnership. All partners work in the business
day to day, they all have a share in the business, and they all have a say on the way
the business is run. Profit-sharing operates on a model where partners progress to
full partnership over a number of years. Full partners have an equal share in the
profits, and those at lower levels have a proportionate share in the profits.
The partnership is governed and managed in accordance with a constitution. There
is an elected Board comprising a Chair (elected directly by the partners), four other
partners, and the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive sits on the Board ex officio
but does not have a vote (although I understand it is extremely rare for the Board
to take a vote). The partners also elect a Chair of the Partnership.
The Board is responsible for ensuring the efficient management of the partnership,
initiating and reviewing strategy and policy, making recommendations to the
partnership, and implementing partnership policies and decisions.
The Chief Executive is responsible to the Board for the day-to-day management of
the business of the firm including the development of strategy and financial
performance. The Chief Executive participates in all Board deliberations including
those relating to strategic and management issues.
The Board appoints a Chair and a Deputy Chair for each national practice group,
and a Chair for each local practice group. It also appoints an Ethics Committee and
a Succession and Admissions Committee.

Recruitment
Scholarships
Russell McVeagh focuses much of its recruitment on its scholarship and summer
clerk initiatives, and it was the first law firm in New Zealand to establish a

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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dedicated scholarship programme. The firm selects top school leavers as well as
those excelling at university and provides them with a scholarship while they
complete their law studies. The scholarship consists of financial assistance, a
signing bonus as a graduate, work experience opportunities, a mentor, and the
opportunity to summer clerk at Russell McVeagh in the penultimate year of study.
One person told me the scholarship programme was “a retention incentive to stop
talent going elsewhere”. I was told by many people that they enjoyed their time as
a scholarship recipient, particularly the lavish dinners and catch-up functions
provided by the firm where they were able to socialise with other students. Until
two and a half years ago, alcohol featured heavily at scholarship dinners.

Summer Clerk Programme
The firm describes its summer clerk programme as:
A gateway to a graduate role with Russell McVeagh. Summer clerks are given extensive
induction training but also technical and soft-skills training. Clerks are appraised twice
over the summer period and these appraisals are designed to ascertain whether the
clerks are enjoying the work and the team, and to give staff and partners an opportunity
to provide feedback to their clerks on their progress.

At the time of the incidents, a key part of the recruitment process was elaborate,
expensive functions at which alcohol was readily available. Current staff who had
been summer clerks told me that they felt encouraged to drink a lot at these
events; however, many said that because they were students on a budget at the
time they very much enjoyed these functions.
People told me of mixed experiences with summer clerking. Some enjoyed the
opportunity to see behind the scenes of a law firm and to gain some legal
experience. Others felt there was little work for them to do and that they were
there as a distraction or to provide entertainment to the lawyers, particularly by
performing a skit at the firm’s Christmas party. I was told the summer clerking
experience had a big focus on socialising, including a great deal of time preparing
for the firm’s Christmas skit. Most people told me that they enjoyed the
opportunity to learn more about the firm and were aware that the summer clerking
experience was different to being a graduate lawyer.
I understand that after the incidents of the 2015–16 summer there has been a
change in the way recruitment events operate. There is now a focus on lunches and
other activities that are not centred on alcohol.

Core Business Recruitment
I was also told that for core business recruitment at solicitor, senior solicitor, and
senior associate levels, partners generally control the process, with administrative
support from the Human Resources department (“HR”). This means that any firm-

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wide strategy around diversity may be undermined by individual partners’ hiring
preferences, including unconscious bias.

Returning Lawyers
Many junior lawyers who start at Russell McVeagh as graduates work there for
between two and four years before going on their overseas experience, often to
big law firms in London and New York. Many told me that even if their long-term
ambition was to work in areas of law not offered by Russell McVeagh, the
grounding they received at the firm was world leading and formed the basis of a
career that would take them anywhere in the world.
Of the senior lawyers and partners I spoke to, many had followed this pathway.
This means that they were able to tell me of their experiences as a summer clerk
and graduate lawyer and their impressions on returning to the firm some years
later. This has greatly assisted me in forming an impression of the positive changes
that have taken place over time.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Term of Reference One
To review both the sexual harassment claims related to the
period December 2015 to January 2016 and the firm’s
response to those claims.

During the summer of 2015–16, Russell McVeagh
employed 11 summer clerks in the Wellington
office, five of whom were women. More than two
years later, in February and March 2018, there were
allegations in the media about events said to have
occurred relating to Russell McVeagh staff in
Wellington during the summer of 2015–16. The
allegations have been reported as ranging from
sexual harassment and sexually inappropriate
behaviour through to more serious allegations.

What I Was Told
I was told many different accounts about the alleged events. I have not sought to
reach any conclusive findings about the events themselves. I have conducted a
review not a formal legal process. People who spoke to me were not on oath and I
did not seek to cross-examine participants on the detail of their accounts. I have
not been able to speak to all the relevant people. In particular, I did not interview
the two men concerned although I did have a telephone conversation with the
solicitor and both provided written feedback.
The allegations have always been strongly denied. Those who are the subject of
allegations are not facing any police charges and as far as I am aware no formal

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complaints have been made to the police. Ultimately, my role is not that of a factfinder and I cannot make findings about what did or did not happen.
Despite this, I set out below what I was told in general terms to make clear the
nature of the allegations and to provide context for the comments that follow. I
have respected the wishes of the women concerned in the way these allegations
have been described.

Incident One2
The firm held a Christmas party in Wellington on Friday 18 December 2015. Four of
the five women summer clerks told me about the party. While alcohol was readily
available at the party, the summer clerks told me they had not been drinking much
prior to the incidents as they were nervous about performing a skit in front of all
the firm’s staff members. Their allegations centre on the actions of a male partner,
who was described as being intoxicated that evening.
The four told me:



One was at the bar when the partner approached her, put his hand around
her waist and led her away from the bar. He encouraged her to ‘skull’ her
drink, and tried to kiss her on the cheek.



One was on the dance floor when the partner touched her bottom and
waist multiple times, and then grabbed under her breast from behind. The
partner later approached her at the bar and told her to finish her drink.



One was dancing when the partner danced closely, touched her bottom,
and kissed her.



One was dancing when the partner pulled her aside, grabbed her breast,
and tried to kiss her. At the end of the night, the clerk was waiting for a taxi
outside when the partner said something about spilled wine on her top
before touching her breasts, waist, and hips. The partner then tried to get
into her taxi before another of the clerks shut the car door on him.

The four summer clerks told me that at the time they felt intimidated, confused,
and uncomfortable. They told me they were distressed this had happened at a
work function where they thought they should have been safe. They also told me
they knew what had happened was wrong but were initially unsure about whether
to report it as no-one around them had reacted at the time. They worried people
would think the partner was “just being friendly” or had “just had too many drinks”.

2. In this report I refer to Incidents One, Two, and Three. However, Incident One involves
the allegations of four women in relation to the same partner on the same evening. For
readability purposes, I refer to these four allegations as “Incident One”. I make it clear
that this does not minimise or diminish the experiences of each of the four women.

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It is important to note that, at the time, the summer clerks were not aware of what
had happened to each other.

Incident Two
I was told that, at a smaller team Christmas party on 21 December 2015, there was
an incident of inappropriate sexual conduct by the same male partner of the firm,
at the partner’s house. The partner had hosted a group of the firm’s solicitors and
summer clerks at his home that evening. The partner provided drinks and a
barbeque. The partner continued to supply alcohol late into the evening. The
incident of inappropriate sexual conduct by the male partner was reported to have
occurred in this latter part of the evening.

Incident Three
On 13 January 2016 (a Wednesday), the firm returned to work from the Christmas
break. At about 4pm that day, the same male partner and some of the team’s
solicitors and summer clerks went for drinks at a local café and bar. Afterwards, a
group of the team, including the male partner, went for dinner at a nearby
restaurant. They had dinner and continued to drink. They then went on to another
bar and continued to drink. The male partner purchased drinks for the group
throughout the evening. It was later in the evening that there was a reported
incident of inappropriate sexual conduct by one of the male solicitors.

What the Firm Knew before the Incidents
Before detailing how the firm responded to the three incidents, I have considered
whether the firm missed any warning signs leading up to them, and concluded
there were such signs.
Alcohol played a significant part in the life of the firm over the years. This began as
early as the scholarship dinners involving school leavers, and continued in a largely
unconstrained way through summer clerk, team, and firm-wide events. There was
little apparent appreciation of the importance of host responsibility, or the risks
arising for staff and the firm itself, despite plenty of objective signs of those risks.
In saying this, I do not suggest that any of the summer clerks enabled or
contributed to the incidents because of alcohol consumption, or that inappropriate
sexual conduct can ever be justified by the consumption of alcohol.
It became apparent from my interviews that there was, and still is, a lack of
leadership in the Wellington office. When asked “Who do you think is in charge of
the Wellington office?” responses ranged from the Board, the Wellington Board
member, the most influential partner in Wellington, to the Chief Executive or HR.

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There was no single person in the Wellington office who had an overarching role
and to whom staff could go for help or who made it their business to oversee how
the teams were functioning. There was no manager based in Wellington watching
out for partners who were showing signs of needing help or when behaviours were
putting other staff at risk.
While the firm had begun work to change its culture, with a focus on gender
diversity, to bring it into line with what is reasonably expected of a 21st century
professional services firm, at the time of the 2015–16 incidents, many of these
issues were still in existence.
The team of the partner and solicitor involved in the three incidents had a
particularly strong ‘work hard, play hard’ culture with regular excessive drinking as
a team, while networking with clients, and as a form of stress relief following
extremely long hours on big projects. Staff, particularly women, had been leaving
the team citing reasons for concern in their exit interviews including drinking and
cultural issues. The heavy drinking, long hours, and deteriorating behaviour
progressed during 2015. I was told that there had been occasions where staff had
arrived at work to find the partner appeared hung over or still intoxicated from the
night before.
There were no policies to deal with alcohol or host responsibility, and I was told
that the threshold for unacceptable behaviour at social events was high. While the
Chief Executive and the Board were aware of some of the drinking issues with that
partner, they did not adequately address or monitor the team or the partner,
despite the obvious power imbalance issues that compounded the risks.

Findings


While I make no formal findings about the detail of the incidents, I
have described in broad terms the allegations as described to me.



At the time of the incidents, one team in the Wellington office had
cultural issues that were impacting staff, including excessive drinking.



The firm missed opportunities to deal with issues that had been raised
in exit interviews.



The Board and the Chief Executive were aware of some of the
drinking issues but these were not adequately addressed or
monitored.



There was no-one in charge in Wellington who had oversight of how
all of the teams were functioning and the culture of the office.

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

At the time of the 2015–16 incidents, there were no policies
regarding alcohol, host responsibility, or expected behaviours at
social functions.



Inappropriate sexual conduct can never be justified by the
consumption of alcohol.

Recommendations
1. That the firm engages an independent expert to advise on the
development of policies, standards, and systems regarding:
(a)

alcohol use

(b)

host responsibility, and

(c)

expected behaviours at social functions.

The Firm’s Response
In 2015, the firm had a policy called “Harassment in the Workplace”, which in
theory would have guided the firm’s response to any allegations of sexual
harassment. The policy was two pages long and provided a definition of sexual
harassment, an outline of a complaints procedure, and a list of contact people. The
firm did not follow the policy in relation to either Incident One or Incident Two.

Incident One
On 21 December 2015, one of the women summer clerks who was involved in
Incident One told the firm’s Wellington HR manager in general terms about one of
the alleged incidents involving another of the clerks at the firm-wide Christmas
party on 18 December 2015. The Wellington HR manager asked for further details.
The clerk was unwilling to provide the name of the partner or the name of the clerk
concerned. At this stage, the other summer clerks were reluctant to speak to HR or
to provide names and details of the incidents. As a result, the HR manager was not
aware of any other incidents.
At that point, the HR manager did not have sufficient information to undertake an
investigation into the alleged incident. The HR manager informed the Chief
Executive. There was no formal or informal follow-up with the clerk who had
informed HR, either at the time or after the Christmas break.
In early February 2016, once the clerks had told each other about their experiences
with the same partner, they realised the extent of what had happened at the

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Christmas party. They told me they were still extremely hesitant about reporting it
and only did so because they thought the firm would not be able to ignore them
as a group.
The clerks decided to tell a trusted junior lawyer about each of their experiences at
the Christmas party. They met with the junior lawyer and told her what had
happened. With her support, the five women summer clerks met with the HR
Director on 3 and 4 February 2016. The four clerks who were involved in Incident
One explained in general terms what had happened. The clerks told me that, while
the HR Director was supportive of them and apologetic, they felt they did not get a
chance to explain the detail of what happened to each of them because everyone
in the meeting (including the HR Director) was very emotional. Some of the clerks
told me that the HR Director did most of the talking. The clerks told me they were
informed that action was being taken but not what the nature of the action was.
They found it very difficult to carry on working when they were unsure who had
what information.
As addressed below, by this time there was a process underway to negotiate the
exit of the partner concerned, but he was still in the office in the days following the
clerks’ meetings with the HR Director and the clerks told me of their anxiety from
seeing him in the office. This was conveyed to the HR Director, and the partner
subsequently worked out of the office while his departure was negotiated.
The junior lawyer who had been supporting the clerks was asked to convey to the
clerks that the partner involved in Incidents One and Two was leaving. Some of the
clerks said that, when the partner left, they felt believed, relieved, and empowered
that action had been taken. On reflection, however, they told me that they thought
there should have been a full investigation into the allegations they had made. One
clerk told me that she thought the firm could not have been acting on her specific
experience because she had not had the opportunity to explain to anyone from the
firm what had happened to her that night. The failure to undertake an investigation
meant that the firm did not establish what happened and to whom. It has only
been during the process of this review that the firm learnt for the first time the
details of each woman’s experience.
It has only been very recently that the summer clerks involved in Incident One have
learned that the partner left the firm for a number of reasons that were largely
unrelated to their experiences. As set out below, Incidents Two and Three were the
trigger for that process, rather than Incident One.

Incident Two
On 22 December 2015, a staff member reported Incident Two to the Wellington HR
Manager. The HR Director and the Chief Executive were informed. The Wellington
HR Manager met with the summer clerk concerned who did not make a complaint.

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When the Chief Executive was told, he assumed (accurately) that the partner
involved in Incident Two was also the person accused of Incident One at the firmwide Christmas party (who had not at that time been named). On 22 December
2015, the Chief Executive asked a Wellington-based partner to speak to the partner
in question about his behaviour at the firm-wide Christmas party and about the
previous evening at his house. The partner initially said nothing had happened
between him and the clerk the previous evening, but some weeks later he admitted
to the Board that this initial statement was not true. He also denied or had no
recollection of Incident One.
No formal investigation followed. The firm then went on holiday for Christmas.

Incident Three
On 13 January 2016 (a Wednesday), the firm returned to work from the Christmas
break. The following day the HR Director was informed of Incident Three by more
than one person, including the partner of the firm who was responsible for the
solicitor involved. On the Friday of that week, the HR Director flew to Wellington
and spoke to several staff. The affected staff were told there would be an
investigation starting on Monday.
The solicitor was neither suspended nor stood down during the investigation. He
remained working in the office for a few days and then worked out of Wellington
on a matter. He then agreed to work from home and then took leave.
The HR Director and a woman partner from the Auckland office conducted an
internal investigation, with legal advice taken within the firm, by interviewing the
affected staff members and other members of the relevant team. The facts were
contested; the solicitor denied wrongdoing and the HR Director and partner were
not able to reach a conclusion about what had happened. The police had been
called on the night in question, but no police complaint was made.
No disciplinary action was taken against the solicitor, as he agreed his employment
was no longer sustainable. The solicitor remained on leave for a short period
before resigning and joining another firm.

The Departure of the Partner
Information about the alleged incidents emerged progressively. The Board learned
about Incidents Two and Three on 22 January 2016. The Board then moved
decisively to reach agreement with the partner concerned for him to leave the firm.
That decision was particularly in response to Incident Two, the broader cultural
issues in the partner’s team highlighted in the investigation into Incident Three,
and to a lesser extent the information about Incident One, such as it was known at
the time.

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Support for Staff during the Process
The firm has a policy where all employees are entitled to three sessions per year of
free counselling, which they can access confidentially. Staff, including summer
clerks, are told about this at induction and there are posters with the details of the
selected counsellors around the office and on the back of the toilet doors.
During the internal investigation conducted by the HR Director and the Auckland
partner into Incident Three, some support was provided to the solicitor by
arranging an appointment for him with a counsellor. The summer clerk involved in
this incident had already arranged her own specialist counselling through an
external agency prior to the firm’s investigation.
The four summer clerks involved in Incident One told me that following their
meeting with the HR Director in February 2016, they were not offered any
counselling and as a result they were heavily reliant on each other and on the
junior lawyer in the office for emotional support.
Within the firm, the five women summer clerks told me they did not feel supported
in the office. Partners either did not mention what had happened to them or made
inappropriate and insensitive comments. The summer clerks received support
primarily from the junior lawyer but also from a small number of other women in
the office.
The four summer clerks involved in Incident One told me they were upset and
angry that no-one ever asked them about the details of what happened to each of
them, about why they never received an apology from the firm, and about why
they were not offered counselling services or legal representation at the time.
The poor handling of the incidents had serious consequences for the summer
clerks including loss of confidence and lack of faith in the legal profession. This was
described as particularly devastating given the clerks were all top law students with
promising futures. The junior lawyer supporting the clerks was also significantly
affected as she spent a great deal of time providing emotional support to the
clerks but was still expected to bill her usual hours of work. She told us that she
was told that she was thought of as a “troublemaker” and she felt her career
suffered as a result.

Communication about the Incidents and Privacy
At the time of the incidents and when the two men left the firm, there was very
little communication internally to other staff. While some people acknowledged
the privacy interests of the women and the men involved, many thought the firm
should have communicated with them at least in general terms about what had
happened. Many people told me they found out that something had happened
through friends working at other firms rather than from the firm itself, although

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most of those in the Wellington office were aware of the obvious distress of some
members of staff and felt bewildered about what was going on. One person told
me: “It was like a bomb had gone off in the office but no-one talked about it.”
Many people told me about two emails sent to staff announcing the departures of
the two men in question. The solicitor in question sent an email to the staff he
worked with announcing his own departure in very positive terms. People told me
they were stunned that the firm had chosen to send out a positive (described by
some as a “glowing”) farewell email about the partner. In the absence of any other
communication from the firm, this was a cause of concern for many people. Staff
expected, at the very least, there would be a communication confirming that the
men involved had left due to behaviour that did not align with the firm’s culture.
It appears that Russell McVeagh sought to limit the number of people who knew
about what had happened, initially at the specific request of some of the affected
people. A number of partners and the HR Director told me there was a strong
request for privacy from one of the clerks, which made communication difficult. It
would, however, have been possible for the firm to respond appropriately while still
maintaining the privacy interests of the affected people.
Some partners told staff that the fact that the partner and solicitor were leaving the
firm “sent the clearest possible message”. This was not the case.

Natural Justice
A small number of people I spoke to queried why the firm did not act more
summarily to discipline and publicly condemn the men involved. However, the firm
could not have acted without following a fair process and observing the rules of
natural justice.

Assessment of the Firm’s Response to the
Incidents
In my view, the incidents were managed poorly. No one person was in charge and
responsible for leading the response to the incidents. There were no HR staff based
in Wellington in January 2016. This is because the Wellington HR manager went on
parental leave within a few days of Incident One in December 2015 and the Chief
Executive made a decision not to replace this role. Instead, HR was managed from
Auckland with staff travelling to Wellington several days a week.
The handling of the incidents was largely left to the HR Director, who told me that
she unsuccessfully requested the Chief Executive to come to Wellington to assist.
While the HR Director provided pastoral care, this was insufficient given the
number and seriousness of the allegations. No formal disciplinary process was

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followed. The firm’s HR Director lacked the appropriate expertise to deal with the
incidents and a number of critical steps in the process were missed.
Once the firm had sufficient information about the incidents, the “Harassment in
the Workplace” policy should have been followed but was not. In any event, the
policy was inadequate. Allegations of this nature should have triggered an
independent, external investigation. It was unwise for the firm to attempt an
internal investigation into Incident Three given it did not possess the necessary
expertise and was not sufficiently independent.
I have formed a view that the summer clerks should have been offered specialised
counselling and independent legal representation once the firm had sufficient
information about the incidents. The HR Director repeatedly told the women “we
will do whatever you want; tell us what you need” but the women could not
realistically have been expected to know what they needed and were relying on a
professional process to safeguard them. It is essential that those wishing to
complain of sexual harassment are properly supported. In many cases that will not
require a lawyer, but in this particular case involving summer clerks complaining
about those in positions of seniority at a law firm, independent legal representation
would have greatly assisted to advocate for the interests of the complainants.
These failures have had serious consequences for the summer clerks involved and
those who supported them at the time. They have also undermined staff trust in
the firm and have done considerable damage to the firm’s reputation.
The Chief Executive had little involvement in the investigation of Incident Three.
Legal advice on the process was provided internally. The Board was not briefed
until 22 January 2016, by which time the investigation had been undertaken.
Some decisions were made by the Board, while others appear to have been made
by the small group of partners who were involved in responding to what had
happened.

Findings


The incidents were managed poorly, with serious consequences for the
people involved.



Failings in the management of the incidents of 2015–16 were not
those of the HR Director alone but of the Chief Executive, the Board,
and ultimately the partnership, all of whom should shoulder some of
the responsibility.



The firm missed a number of key steps that were critical to the
process.

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

It would have been possible for the firm to respond to the incidents
appropriately while still maintaining the privacy interests of the
affected people.



The firm’s “Harassment in the Workplace” policy was not followed in
relation to Incidents One and Two. In any event, the policy itself was
inadequate.



Due to the failure to investigate Incidents One and Two, the firm
did not establish what happened and to whom. The firm did not
understand the gravity of the situation. As a result, the firm
underestimated the ongoing impact on the summer clerks and on the
junior lawyer and others who provided emotional support to all five
of the women summer clerks.



The firm took care with the privacy of the women involved. It did not
publicly condemn the men involved, in part to protect privacy
interests, and because there had not been a disciplinary process
leading to factual findings. Any disciplinary process would have
needed to follow the rules of natural justice.



HR lacked the appropriate level of expertise to deal with the
incidents.



There were a number of failings in the management of the incidents:
–
–
–

–

–

There was no consideration of an independent, external
investigation.
In this instance the summer clerks would have benefitted from
independent legal representation.
The firm did not offer the summer clerks specialist counselling, but
did arrange a counsellor for the male solicitor involved in Incident
Three.
The firm did not suspend the solicitor or the partner while the
incidents were being considered to ensure there was no risk of
contact between the two men and the summer clerks, and such
contact did occur.
The firm’s internal communications during the time and following
the incidents were poor.

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Recommendations
2. That the firm acknowledges its handling of the incidents was
poor and issues a full apology for its actions and inaction to
those involved, including staff.
3. That the firm acknowledges its mistake in leaving the handling
of these complex and highly sensitive incidents to the HR
Director, who lacked the appropriate expertise.
4. That the firm enlists external expertise to develop a standalone sexual harassment and sexual assault policy.
5. That the firm reviews its list of approved counsellors to ensure
the providers are both independent and perceived to be
independent.
6. That the firm reviews the capacity and capability of the HR
team to deal with sensitive sexual complaints and recognise
when an independent investigation may be required.

Issues Arising Following the Incidents
A number of people have questioned three aspects of the post-incident response,
namely whether Russell McVeagh should have:



provided an employment reference for the solicitor involved in Incident
Three



made a report concerning the alleged behaviour of the partner and the
solicitor to the Law Society, and



continued to work with the partner on legacy files, and should have better
communicated the position regarding such files.

Provision of an Employment Reference for the Solicitor
After the internal investigation into Incident Three, the solicitor concerned applied
for a job with another law firm, something he had been planning in any event. He
asked Russell McVeagh for a reference. A Russell McVeagh partner provided a
verbal reference for the solicitor, and disclosed the alleged incident in broad terms
to the new firm, with the consent of the solicitor.
I have not seen anything to indicate that Russell McVeagh actively arranged the
new job, or did more than provide a reference for the solicitor. However, questions
have been raised about whether the verbal reference was sufficiently candid, and

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whether Russell McVeagh followed an appropriate process in providing the
reference.
It has not been possible for me to make findings about what precisely was said in
the verbal reference and whether it accurately conveyed the nature of the alleged
incident. I have not been able to speak directly to all the relevant parties, and at the
time of writing this report the provision of the reference is the subject of a Law
Society complaint. It would not be appropriate for me to attempt factual findings
while the matter is before the Law Society. The new firm was given an opportunity
to comment on the factual account above and told me it had no view.
What is clear to me is that Russell McVeagh’s employment reference policy did not
assist in managing the difficult issues that arise when an employee leaves in
circumstances such as this. Nor was the firm’s Ethics Committee involved.
I have reached the view that the firm’s employment reference policy should be
reviewed. The area can give rise to difficult legal and ethical issues, and can have
very important consequences for the individuals involved, for future employers,
and for those who may work with the individual in the future. In some cases, such
as this one, the involvement of the firm’s Ethics Committee may be appropriate.
I understand there is no legal requirement for an employer to give a reference to
an employee who is leaving unless there is an agreement that a reference will be
provided. However, if a reference is provided it must be accurate and must be
limited to information provided for that purpose, i.e. to help the prospective
employer assess the employee’s fitness for their new role.
In the past, it was common for an employer to give a certificate of service which
confirmed the person’s employment, title, and length of service. I have been told
that these days it is more common for a verbal reference to be supplied. I have also
been told that when an employee is leaving ‘under a cloud’ that best practice is not
to give a reference.
In light of the difficult issues that can arise, it would certainly have been desirable
for Russell McVeagh’s policy to have been reviewed following the incident.

Reporting to the Law Society
Another issue of concern which has been raised with me by a number of people is
whether Russell McVeagh should have reported these incidents to the Law Society.
The Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 governs professional misconduct and
unsatisfactory conduct by lawyers. I understand the provisions largely address the
conduct of a lawyer in the course of providing legal services, but the Act states that
a lawyer’s conduct out of that context can be misconduct if it “would justify a
finding that the lawyer … is not a fit and proper person or is otherwise unsuited to
engage in practice as a lawyer” (section 7(1)(b)(ii)).

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The Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008
impose a mandatory reporting obligation when a lawyer has reasonable grounds
to suspect such misconduct (at clause 2.8):
Subject to the obligation on a lawyer to protect privileged communications, a lawyer
who has reasonable grounds to suspect that another lawyer has been guilty of
misconduct must make a confidential report to the Law Society at the earliest
opportunity.

The Law Society told me that, prior to 2016, there had never been a misconduct
report based on sexual harassment or sexual assault in the context of an
employment relationship. That suggests the profession as a whole did not see
sexual harassment in the context of an employment relationship as a professional
standards issue that would potentially trigger the mandatory reporting duty.
Certainly, in this case, Russell McVeagh’s Board did not consider the incidents,
which involved staff as opposed to clients, to be a professional standards issue, and
did not report the incidents to the Law Society at the time, although Russell
McVeagh did subsequently meet with the Law Society.
I am aware that Dame Silvia Cartwright has been appointed to lead a working
group of the Law Society to look at the processes for reporting and taking action
on harassment and inappropriate behaviour in legal workplaces. The working
group will look at:



Whether the regulatory framework, practices, and processes enable
adequate reporting of harassment or inappropriate workplace behaviour
within the legal profession.



Whether the regulatory framework, practices, and processes provide
adequate support for those affected by harassment or inappropriate
workplace behaviour.



The adequacy of the regulatory framework, practices, and processes to
enable effective action to be taken where such conduct is alleged.

I understand this will include a consideration of whether the rules around
mandatory reporting of misconduct and discretionary reporting of unsatisfactory
conduct should be amended.
I am also aware there is a complaint before the Law Society about Russell
McVeagh’s not making a report to the Law Society. As there are already processes
under way on this point, I will not comment further on this issue, other than to say
that the firm, and the profession more generally, should do whatever is necessary
to ensure there is a strong regulatory regime in place to deal with those who act in
sexually inappropriate ways.

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Continued Contact with the Partner regarding Legacy Files
A number of people told me they were concerned that Russell McVeagh continued
to work with the partner (by then the former partner) on legacy files, i.e. files that
are still open after the lawyer(s) working on them have left the firm.
Two concerns were raised:



Was it appropriate for the firm to continue working with the former partner
at all, particularly if it involved women staff having to work with him?



Did the firm accurately represent the situation to those directly involved
and when commenting more widely, including in the media?

Before addressing these two questions, I set out my understanding of the factual
position.

The firm’s continued work with the former partner
The departure of any partner gives rise to a number of questions about what will
happen to the partner’s files. In some cases, the files will remain entirely with the
firm; in some other cases the files will travel with the partner to his or her new
practice; in others there may be a hybrid situation – for example if the partner
becomes a barrister and can continue to work with the firm on the files.
Russell McVeagh does not have a formal policy or process for managing the
reallocation of a partner’s files upon his or her departure. In the absence of a policy
or process, it was left to the remaining partners in the practice group to work with
the departing partner to reallocate the files, with some broad initial oversight by
the Chief Executive. There was no decision to cut off contact with the former
partner, and staff were not given any direction as to whether they could continue
working with the former partner.
Ultimately, the majority of files were retained by the firm. A small number of high
value files were retained by the departing partner with new instructing solicitors.
The firm retained its role as instructing solicitor with the departing partner
continuing his work in relation to two files. For one of those files, this meant
ongoing work up to November 2017. In addition, in September 2016, the firm
agreed to work with the former partner on an existing but dormant file at his
request. At that time there was no specific consideration given to whether the firm
should still be working with the former partner, either from a staff welfare
perspective or otherwise.
The files involving the former partner were worked on primarily by a woman
partner and a male lawyer. Junior women lawyers completed research tasks but
had no direct contact with the former partner. Two women lawyers from the firm
continued to work remotely with the former partner on a professional publication.

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I was told of at least one occasion where the former partner had a meeting at
Russell McVeagh’s offices. When this was brought to the attention of the Chief
Executive, the former partner was told not to come back to the firm and to have all
future meetings off-site. At this stage, it ought to have been clear to those working
with the former partner, as well as to the Chief Executive, that the firm had an
ongoing professional relationship with him.
The firm ceased working with the former partner from February 2018.

Was it appropriate for the firm to keep working with the former
partner?
In my view, it was a lack of judgement for the firm to continue working with the
former partner. There are several reasons for this. First, the firm was operating with
an information gap when deciding whether to continue a professional relationship
with the former partner because of its earlier failure to carry out a full independent
investigation into the allegations. Second, the firm did not consider the broader
staff well-being implications of such contact, both in terms of the former partner’s
physical presence in the office and in terms of the message it sent to staff about
the firm’s interpretation of the incidents. Third, the firm did not consider the
reputational risk involved in such contact.
To be clear, I do not go so far as to suggest it would never be appropriate for the
firm to have any professional contact with the former partner, or that declining to
work with him should have been imposed as some sort of sanction. But in the
circumstances that existed in 2016 and 2017, I consider the firm should not have
continued to work with the former partner. Most significantly, it was the lack of
appropriate processes that led to this error.

Did the firm accurately represent the position concerning legacy
files?
As is set out in more detail below, the firm made several statements to others
about its continued work with the former partner:



In approximately April 2016, the firm’s HR Director gave some of the
summer clerks the impression that the firm had ceased all work with the
former partner.



In late 2016/early 2017, the HR Director and partners of the firm who
attended the relevant meetings left the Deans of New Zealand’s six law
schools with the same impression. The Chief Executive also attended two of
the meetings.



In a Radio New Zealand interview in early 2018, the firm acknowledged it
had continued to work with the former partner on legacy matters, but said
this was because of a professional obligation. It also said that there were
steps in place to ensure no women staff worked on those matters; that no

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meetings were held on site; and that the firm had not accepted any further
instructions after the former partner had left.
I am satisfied the individuals who made these various statements believed they
were accurate at the time, but as will be clear from the narrative above, the
statements were not correct. The statements were a symptom of the lack of a clear,
coordinated, and widely understood position within the firm on this subject. This is
another example of the absence of clear policies and processes as well as a lack of
leadership within the firm. This resulted in issues being managed in an ad hoc way.
As noted earlier, there were multiple people involved in dealing with the incidents
but no-one in charge. The Chief Executive and the HR Director did not coordinate
with the relevant partners to ensure the firm’s statements were correct. The partner
who made the comments to Radio New Zealand was deeply embarrassed when
she realised she had provided incorrect information publicly.
One of the points Russell McVeagh made in the Radio New Zealand interview was
that the rules of professional conduct required the firm to continue to instruct the
former partner. The question is currently before the Law Society and I make no
comment on it.

2016–18 Developments
Ongoing Contact
Once the men left the firm and the summer clerks returned to university, the firm
carried on with business as usual. During the next two and a half years, the issues
remained live and escalated over time. The five summer clerks were not asked to
sign non-disclosure agreements although the details of the incidents were largely
kept confidential due to the request for privacy from some of the summer clerks.
This did not prevent the issues resurfacing a number of times over the next two
years.
There was a great deal of talk and speculation about what had happened and
many people heard different versions of the events. As the initial response by the
firm was so rushed, it missed several key steps in the process which resulted in
matters not being finally resolved. This has meant there has been a great deal of
ongoing confusion, anger, and frustration for the summer clerks.
All five clerks had a great deal of contact from the HR team at the time and over
the course of the next two and a half years in the form of texts, emails, and coffee
catch-ups. They told me they were initially grateful for the contact from the HR
Director as they were glad that someone from the firm was following up with them
and they appreciated the support at the time. However, some of the clerks told me
that at that point they did not know what support they needed or how to ask for it
and they resented feeling as though they were being placed “in the driver’s seat”

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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without appreciating the specialised level of support they needed. At least one
clerk did ask for counselling in early 2016.
The summer clerks involved in Incident One were not provided with contact details
for counsellors until November 2016. One clerk told me she attended three free
sessions, and had been told that was all she was entitled to. As a student she was
not able to afford to continue to pay herself. At one session, the counsellor gave
her advice about not drinking too much. The clerk told the counsellor she had not
been drunk at the time of the incident.
I was very surprised to hear that at least two of the clerks were offered counselling
sessions with someone who was previously a member of the firm’s HR team (not
the counsellor mentioned in the previous paragraph). Given the longstanding
professional relationship and personal friendship between the former HR employee
and the partner concerned, I was very concerned that the HR Director had made
such a referral. Even if the person receiving counselling is happy with such a
referral, there is a risk of an apparent or actual conflict of interest and a level of
proximity that should generally be avoided when seeking this kind of professional
assistance.
Throughout 2016, there were several meetings between the summer clerks and
representatives from HR. The summer clerks were frustrated and angry about what
they perceived as a lack of consequences for the men. The clerks told me that
when they raised issues with HR, they felt shut down. During a meeting arranged
by the HR Director at a local café, two of the clerks were told to “shush” when
raising issues. The HR Director told me she was simply seeking discretion in a
public place. At another meeting arranged by one of the HR team, one of the clerks
expressed concerns about a lack of accountability and risk to others and she was
warned about the risk of defamation.
In early 2017, statements from some of the summer clerks were read out at a
Russell McVeagh partnership meeting where I am told the partners were very
upset. The clerks told me they wrote the statements because they felt the firm
continued to underestimate the impact of the incidents. The clerks did not receive
any substantive response to their statements. In particular, there was no apology
from the firm or offer of support.
My assessment is that the level of ongoing contact with the summer clerks, even
after some of them had confirmed they would not be returning to the firm, did not
assist the situation. What the summer clerks needed was specialist counselling and
independent representation. I have no doubt the HR Director began with good
intentions and some of the contact was initiated and/or reciprocated in kind by the
summer clerks. But in my view the nature and tone of the contact lacked
professional distance. As time went on, some of the summer clerks told me that
they felt that the level and nature of the contact from the HR Director was a form

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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of control. I was told that the HR Director projected her own emotional stress on to
the summer clerks, which they found very difficult to deal with. Some of the clerks
told me they felt pressured to “put on a brave face” to appear that they were okay
because they were being told by the HR Director about how much of a negative
impact the issues (and subsequent media attention) were having on her and on the
firm.
Russell McVeagh’s HR Director and its partners believed they had handled the
process well and that the clerks were appreciative that the men in question had left
the firm.

The Universities
In late 2016, Victoria University of Wellington became aware of the allegations in
general terms and took a number of steps including informing the ViceChancellors and the Deans of the law faculties at each relevant New Zealand
university and speaking to the Police. The universities held a number of meetings
with Russell McVeagh. Many of these steps were taken without directly consulting
the affected summer clerks.
Russell McVeagh held meetings with the universities and other external groups
during 2016. It was during some of these meetings, with the Deans of law and
separately in meetings with the summer clerks, that the firm gave the impression
that it had stopped working with the partner once he had left the firm. I was told
this is what the HR Director believed at the time, although it was incorrect.
The universities wanted to know what had happened and sought assurances that
matters had been appropriately dealt with. They were concerned for the affected
summer clerks as well as future cohorts. The firm appropriately maintained the
privacy of the affected summer clerks in line with their specific requests for privacy
and confidentiality.
In November 2016, the four summer clerks involved in Incident One were offered
access to the firm’s counselling services as several were having a very difficult time
coping with exams while these issues were resurfacing with the firm and within
their universities.
Issues of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and culture change are ones the entire
legal profession (including the law schools) must grapple with. Against that
background, I was very concerned to learn that, over the last two and a half years,
there have been some students attempting to coerce other students and young
lawyers to give up their employment at Russell McVeagh.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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The Role of the Law Society
Representatives of Russell McVeagh also met with the Law Society in late 2016 and
early 2017. The Law Society did not describe these meetings as confidential
reports. The Law Society was already aware of the allegations, having met with one
of the summer clerks in September 2016.
Russell McVeagh’s meetings with the Law Society involved discussion of the
incidents and the programmes and initiatives that were being worked on for the
next cohort of summer clerks, including setting up an independent contact person
and a transition to work programme. The 2017 meetings also involved parties
other than the Law Society including representatives from the Victoria University of
Wellington Law School.

2018 Media Story
When the news broke about the incidents of the 2015–16 summer, Russell
McVeagh made a number of public statements. Many people have raised issues
about a Radio New Zealand interview on 15 February 2018 where a senior partner
of Russell McVeagh made the following comments:



The firm “conducted a thorough investigation as soon as [it] became aware
of these allegations and responded very quickly to these allegations”. This
was not correct in relation to all the incidents.



The firm “supported the young women and continued to be in contact with
them”. This was partially correct but the support the clerks needed
(specialist, independent counselling) was not provided.



The firm said it did not assist or facilitate the men moving into roles
elsewhere in the legal profession. The firm said it was “very open and
transparent” when asked for a reference. As noted above, I have not sought
to make findings on this point.



The firm said that it had “a professional obligation to continue to be
involved” with legacy matters, and it had taken steps to ensure “there are
no female staff on those matters”, that “no meetings are held on our
premises”, and after the person concerned had left the firm that it “had not
accepted any instructions”. As noted above, the factual statements
regarding ongoing work with the partner were not correct.

The issue of reporting to the Law Society was not covered in the interview.

Findings


A Russell McVeagh partner provided a verbal reference to the firm
who hired the solicitor involved in Incident Three and disclosed the
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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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alleged incident in broad terms. I have not seen anything to indicate
that Russell McVeagh actively arranged the new job or did anything
more than provide a reference for the solicitor.


The firm did continue to work with the former partner on two legacy
files as well as agreeing to work with the former partner on a
previously dormant file. This was a lack of judgement, which resulted
in part from:
–

–

the original failure to have a proper independent investigation
into the allegations, which meant the firm was operating from an
information gap, and
a failure to take into account all relevant factors including staff
well-being and reputational risk.



During meetings with the summer clerks and subsequently with the
universities, representatives of the firm gave the impression that the
firm did not have ongoing contact with the partner. There was a
failure to check information with the relevant partners before making
comments to external groups and to the media.



Some of the comments made by Russell McVeagh in the media were
incorrect, although not deliberately so.



The summer clerks were not asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.



The Ethics Committee of the Board was not involved in considering the
issues of the provision of the employment reference, the legacy work,
or whether to make a report to the Law Society.

Recommendations
7. That the firm engages an independent expert to advise on the
development or revision of policies on:
(a)

the provision of employment references

(b)

the reallocation of a partner’s files upon their
departure, including the nature of any ongoing
relationship, and

(c)

media protocols.

8. That the firm, and the profession more generally, does
whatever is necessary to ensure there is a strong regulatory
regime in place to deal with those who act in sexually
inappropriate ways.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Term of Reference Two
To consider any other sexual harassment claims or any other
improper conduct that may be brought to the attention of the
external reviewer, and the firm's response to those claims.

Sexual harassment and bullying are issues for the
legal profession as a whole. A recent survey of the
legal profession indicated that 31 percent of
women and 5 percent of men have experienced
sexual harassment during their working life and
over 50 percent of lawyers reported experiencing
bullying at some point.3 The Law Society’s President
has publicly described “a serious and systemic
cultural problem in our profession”.4
Despite this, no Russell McVeagh staff members I spoke to described recent
instances of sexual harassment or sexual assault. The majority of staff members
enjoy working at the firm and had very positive things to say about their
experience. However, I was told of a number of incidents which caused me
concern.

3. “Workplace Environment Survey” prepared for the New Zealand Law Society, 28 May
2018: https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/122679/Report-28May-2018.pdf [accessed 13 June 2018] at p 6.
4. Beck, K. “Embracing the Power of Real Disruption: Letter from Kathryn Beck to All New
Zealand Lawyers”, 30 May 2018: http://www.lawsociety.org.nz/news-andcommunications/latest-news/embracing-the-power-of-real-disruption [accessed 3
July 2018].

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Other Incidents of Sexual Harassment and
Sexual Assault
I was told of a number of other incidents of inappropriate conduct and sexual
harassment. Some were historic and others less so. They ranged from inappropriate
comments, inappropriately close relationships between partners and staff, sexual
harassment, indecent exposure, and sexual assault such as spanking the bottom of
a junior woman in front of others, grabbing the bottom of a junior woman, placing
a hand on the thigh of a junior woman, and grabbing the groin of a junior man. I
was also told of an historic relationship between an employee and a summer clerk
involving a number of serious allegations after the summer clerk had left the firm.
As with Term of Reference One, I have not conducted an investigation into any of
these allegations, and have not made factual findings.
I was particularly concerned to hear of a number of incidents of grossly obscene
behaviour relating to a particular partner, always in the context of heavy drinking.
This is a different partner to the one I have referred to in Term of Reference One.
This person has since left the firm.
Some of the incidents concerning this particular partner I was told about took
place in front of others at social functions. Generally, I was told that people either
laughed or did not say anything when it happened due to the seniority of the
person. I was told about the same incidents by a number of different people and it
was clear to me that some behaviours (and, therefore, whom to avoid) were well
known among junior staff. One junior asked me “How can we trust management
when one of the senior partners was the biggest problem for so long?”
At the firm, people are often made partners at a young age, often in their 30s, so
there is not necessarily a big age gap between the partner and the more junior or
subordinate staff. However, the power imbalance is significant. I was told of a past
social occasion where a male partner made an advance to a junior woman. While
the junior woman was able to rebuff the advance, she felt very uncomfortable.
Others have told me that such advances cause them to feel devalued as a lawyer
and nervous that turning down someone in a position of power will mean they may
miss out on work opportunities in the future due to a strained or awkward
relationship.
I was heartened that the vast majority of people I spoke to strongly condemned
sexual harassment and sexual assault of any kind. A very small number of senior
women told me that all women experience some degree of unwanted sexual
attention at some point and that it is the same at many workplaces. Junior women
lawyers told me that hearing some senior women minimising the 2015–16
incidents made them question those women’s judgement.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Over the years some incidents of drunkenness and inappropriate sexual behaviour
have been tolerated and not dealt with at Russell McVeagh. Such a history is not, I
was told by staff with experience at other big firms, peculiar to Russell McVeagh
and in fact was (and in some instances still is) common in some other law firms,
accounting firms, big corporate firms, and universities, as well as New Zealand at
large. An increasing number of public sector organisations, such as the Defence
Force and the New Zealand Police, and other organisations such as rugby clubs
have begun to deal with similar behaviours.
I met with several LGBTTI people. Some had experienced inappropriate comments
and felt there was a level of casual homophobia but were able to challenge this
sort of behaviour. I was also told of a partner confronting another partner
following a derogatory comment that was made in the presence of a gay junior
lawyer. One person told me they were able to come out during their first year at
the firm because they felt so comfortable and supported at work.
A number of people told me that the ‘problem’ partners, with respect to sexual
harassment, have now left the firm. I was not told about any recent incidents of
sexual harassment or sexual assault.

Findings


The vast majority of people I spoke to strongly condemned sexual
harassment and sexual assault of any kind.



Historically there have been some incidents of drunkenness and
inappropriate sexual conduct which have been tolerated and not
dealt with properly.



I was not told of any recent incidents of sexual harassment or sexual
assault.



Partners and staff who have previously exhibited inappropriate
sexual behaviour have now left the firm.



The firm and staff are united in their desire to create an environment
that is free from sexual harassment.

Recommendations
Recommendations 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8 from Term of Reference One apply
here.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Other Incidents of Improper Conduct
I received reports of what I consider to be improper conduct in the form of:



bullying



sexism/unconscious bias against women, and



inappropriate consensual relationships.

I have interpreted improper conduct broadly and will report on the issues I have
been told about despite the fact they are not all focused on sexual harassment or
sexual assault.
In some cases there is a link between the conditions which create a culture where
sexual harassment and assault can occur and occurrences of general bad
behaviour. At Russell McVeagh these conditions include the firm’s gender
imbalance at partnership level, and the enormous power imbalance between
partners (the majority of whom are men) and junior staff, which means that junior
staff feel unable to speak up and raise concerns. In this way, the stories I was told
shared common characteristics with incidents of sexual harassment and assault –
that is, senior people behaving badly and junior staff feeling they have no safe
avenues to deal with the issues and fearing that, if they do speak up, their future
progression at the firm may be compromised.

Bullying
WorkSafe New Zealand defines workplace bullying as follows: 5

5. WorkSafe New Zealand “Good Practice Guidelines: Preventing and Responding to
Bullying at Work”, March 2017 (image used with the permission of WorkSafe New
Zealand).

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Most staff told me that they were never bullied and were able to call out those who
spoke or behaved inappropriately. I discovered that the experiences of junior
lawyers within the firm are very team-dependant. I was surprised to learn that
junior lawyers who may be seated only 10 metres apart could have such different
experiences of the firm.
A number of people told me how they had experienced or witnessed bullying by
female and male partners and senior lawyers. In several instances I was told of the
bullying and intimidation of junior lawyers that has been observed by staff in
neighbouring teams. My inquiries strongly suggest a small number of partners and
senior lawyers indulged in bullying behaviour.
A staff member who had been treated inappropriately stated that “the partner
doesn’t like me and [he/she] has the people that [he/she] likes who are treated
well”. I was told of atrocious behaviour by the small group of offending partners:
yelling, swearing, rudeness, and sarcasm at the person; belittling and
disempowering behaviours. I was told this bullying was sometimes covert, and
other times occurred across the room in front of other staff and in client meetings.
One staff member told me that if the partner didn’t like you then you either had to
leave, or stay and be miserable. I was very concerned to hear from support staff
who told me some lawyers ignored them, spoke to them rudely, excluded them
from team events, and generally treated them as inferior. Numerous support staff
and some junior lawyers told me of examples where partners and other staff did
not extend common courtesies to them such as a morning greeting or include
them in team activities. Some support staff told me that they felt like “a nothing” or
a “non-person” and found work a distressing experience. This behaviour is totally
unacceptable.
I was given examples of partners losing their temper and yelling at junior lawyers.
In some cases, the partner then stopped speaking to the junior or giving them any
work. One junior lawyer told me that “bad behaviour does not seem to affect
career progression”. The end result of persistent bad behaviour by partners is some
junior lawyers who are very unhappy, who dread coming to work, who lose their
confidence, and who feel belittled and disempowered.
There was some difference of opinion over what behaviour constituted bullying
and what behaviour was simply part of operating in a high performance, high
stress environment. One person told me that when partners are stressed out, they
“forget the niceties, forget they are dealing with humans, and are abrupt and rude”.
Some juniors and support staff seemed to think this was part of the job and
developed resilience to this behaviour. Many juniors displayed remarkable
empathy for the pressure partners are under.
Lawyers are not unique in working under stress and pressure. I have formed a view
there is a lack of collective understanding among both partners and staff of what

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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sort of behaviour is best practice, what is ill advised but perhaps acceptable on a
bad day, and what is unacceptable regardless of the day or the level or nature of
the stress. In my view, it is never acceptable, no matter how much stress a person
may be under, to yell at or bully staff.
Staff told me they were afraid to make a move to stop this behaviour from
happening for fear of repercussions. Most were adamant they would not tell HR
about bullying and that they did not want to go to their partner. I note that while
the firm currently has an anti-bullying and harassment policy with a list of contact
people, some staff told me they would never go to one of the specified contact
people. One person told me “I’d never go to someone inside the firm. It would
need to be someone completely independent and external.” Some told me that
they would go to their partner; and some spoke with affection of how their partner
protected them and looked after them. Those who didn’t have such a partner had
nowhere to go – they chose instead to leave.
The firm does not have a policy for dealing with poor performance. I was left
wondering whether some instances of bullying relate to the lack of systems and
processes to manage poor performers. In the absence of appropriate tools,
partners ‘freeze a person out’ of the firm by starving them of work or bullying them
until they leave.
I note again that this was not the experience of the majority of staff members. I am
confident that this appalling behaviour is limited to particular pockets within the
firm. By no means do all partners and seniors behave in this manner, but I heard of
a sufficient number who remain in the firm who do. This is not acceptable, and
decisive steps must be taken to change this.

Findings


Most staff told me that they were never bullied.



There are a small number of pockets within the firm where partners
and senior lawyers are bullying juniors.



The firm’s culture has enabled bullying behavior to continue, in some
cases for years.



Regardless of the stress of deadlines or particular projects, it is not
acceptable for senior people in positions of power to bully or belittle
junior lawyers or support staff.



Those who indulge in bullying behaviour put the safety of staff and
the firm's reputation at risk.



Staff who are experiencing bullying are afraid to speak out for fear
it will jeopardise their future career.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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

The firm has no policy for how to manage poor performance.

Recommendations
9. That the Board Chair makes it clear to all partners and staff
that the firm has zero tolerance of bullying and that there is
no place in the firm for perpetrators of it. At the same time,
the Board Chair needs to assure junior staff that they are safe
from such behaviour.
10. That the firm develops a stand-alone anti-bullying policy.
11. That the firm puts in place a confidential mechanism for
reports of bullying. This process needs to have multiple options
and pathways for reporting, including internal and external
contact points.
12. That the firm acts swiftly in relation to any reports of bullying
by giving the partner (or other staff member) the opportunity
to change and be closely managed; however, if change isn't
made and maintained, disciplinary action should be taken.
13. That the firm develops a policy on managing poor
performance.

Sexism/Unconscious Bias against Women
Most women I spoke to told me that in recent years they had not experienced
discrimination or disadvantage being a woman and had never experienced overt
sexism. Some told me that they have received extraordinary support as a woman,
including mentoring, encouragement, and flexibility. Several women partners have
taken periods of parental leave and have been promoted while on leave. I was told
by those who have had children that they are very well supported. Such steps are
commended.
I received a limited number of recent reports of sexist comments by senior male
partners that were widely discussed among junior staff. This included a partner
who expressed concern about not recruiting enough male summer clerks as he
would not take female summer clerks to client meetings. Regardless of whether
this is to protect the women from clients who may treat them inappropriately, as
opposed to being purely sexist behaviour, these sorts of remarks cause significant
damage and should be stamped out.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Several women told me of being subjected to unconscious bias in terms of the
work that they were required to do because it was perceived that they were better
organised to undertake it. While some junior women accepted this role in their first
year of work, they were discouraged when the following year they were asked to
continue with administrative tasks while a male graduate, who was not so well
organised, was given legal tasks.
Others told me that some teams are male-oriented and that some male partners
revert to traditionally ‘blokey’ small talk. The firm has run some unconscious bias
training and it is important that partners and anyone who allocates work completes
those courses so that a bias-free work environment is achieved.
Some told me about “male culture” and “lad culture” within some parts of the firm.
I was told that there has been a change in the last 18 months to two years in that it
is no longer acceptable to make inappropriate comments or jokes about women
and that this behaviour is challenged. I was told of one example where an
inappropriate comment was made and witnessed by people who immediately told
one of the contact people on the firm’s anti-harassment list. That person went to
HR and a partner and the relevant person was given a strong verbal warning. Staff
were very impressed with how quickly and firmly the matter was dealt with and
that gave them some faith that the culture is changing.
While I have concluded there is not a widespread culture of sexual harassment at
the firm, there are still issues of sexism and unconscious bias against women.
Historically, the firm was founded by and dominated by men, both as lawyers and
clients. It has changed significantly but still has some way to go. I consider any
form of discrimination against women to be a serious issue because it inhibits the
change that is needed to achieve the complete elimination of sexual harassment
and sexual assault. Gender equality is a crucial ingredient. I note Russell McVeagh
has already signed up to the Law Society’s Gender Equality Charter (see Appendix
One) and I will cover that point in Term of Reference Four: Culture.
Finally I note that Russell McVeagh played a significant role in the development of
the New Zealand Law Society and Bar Association's Gender Equitable Engagement
and Instruction Policy, which was launched in December 2017.

Findings


Many women senior lawyers have experienced very positive support
and encouragement in terms of their progress at the firm.



The support, encouragement, and flexibility that senior women receive
is not always extended to women junior lawyers at the firm.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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

The firm has a history of male dominance in positions of power, which
reflects traditional law firm structures and indeed the law profession
as a whole.



While the firm has made efforts to achieve gender equality, some
vestiges of sexism still exist.



The existence of unconscious bias is a major risk factor for a firm that
exists within a context of a very significant hierarchy and stark power
imbalance between partners (majority men) and juniors (majority
women).

Recommendations
14. That the firm continues its efforts to achieve gender equality
and to demonstrate progress by reporting back to the Law
Society in line with the requirements of the society’s Gender
Equality Charter.
15. That the firm implements mandatory unconscious bias training
for partners and staff at all levels.

Inappropriate Consensual Relationships
Although there are no rules or policies prohibiting people at the firm from being in
relationships with each other, I was told that there are unspoken, clearly
understood boundaries such as between a partner and a staff member or where
there is a direct reporting relationship. I was told of two longstanding relationships
in those categories, which were known about but not dealt with over many years.
In these relationships, many staff told me the junior member of the relationship
had assumed the power of the senior person to the detriment of other staff. These
concerns were also reflected in multiple exit interviews. I was not able to ascertain
why such issues were not dealt with by the Chief Executive or the Board when they
appear to have been widely known.
Even when people willingly (and happily) enter into a consensual relationship,
these relationships can still be inappropriate due to the impact on others in the
team. There is a risk of conflict and difficulties in the workplace which can have a
wider impact.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Findings


Relationships between employees where one individual has influence
or control over the other’s conditions of employment are
inappropriate.



The firm has no policy on intimate or familial relationships in the
workplace and how these are to be dealt with.



The continued existence of two inappropriate relationships has had a
significant negative impact on the surrounding teams over a number
of years.



The lack of action by the Chief Executive and the Board in the face of
widespread knowledge of ongoing inappropriate relationships has
severely damaged trust and confidence in the leadership of the firm.

Recommendations
16. That the firm develops, in consultation with staff, a policy that
makes it clear that intimate or familial relationships between
people who are in a direct reporting or supervisory role are
inappropriate.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Term of Reference Three
– Part One
To consider the firm’s standards, systems, and policies relating
to the management of staff, the firm’s implementation of those
policies, and whether they adequately safeguard staff from
sexual harassment.

A policy puts in writing the rules, expectations, and
planned actions to prevent or reduce the impact of
particular behaviours. Russell McVeagh has a legal
obligation and responsibility to prevent harassment
and to respond to complaints in their workplace.
These obligations are set out in statute, including
the Human Rights Act 1993, the Employment
Relations Act 2000, and the Health and Safety at
Work Act 2015.

Relevant Russell McVeagh Policies, Standards,
and Systems
My assessment of the relevant Russell McVeagh policies, standards, and systems is
that there are a number of gaps – some are missing and some are inadequate – as
well as a lack of consultation with staff in their development.

Harassment Policy
At the time of the incidents of the 2015–16 summer, the firm’s “Harassment in the
Workplace” policy was in place. The purpose of the two-page policy was “to

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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provide an effective avenue for staff to make complaints concerning instances of
harassment and where appropriate action will be taken”. This policy:



Stated that harassment in the workplace is unacceptable and that
substantiated complaints would result in disciplinary action.



Contained a list of contacts for the people who comprised the firm’s
Harassment Concerns Committee.



Stated that a formal complaint of harassment must immediately be made
to the HR Director as Chair of the Harassment Concerns Committee.



Defined harassment as being in many forms: sexual, religious, racial, and
bullying.



Provided a detailed definition of sexual harassment.



Outlined the firm’s complaints procedure.

In April 2016 the firm’s HR team updated the policy, reducing it to one page and
renaming it the “Anti bullying and harassment policy”. The key changes included:



An opening statement that “Russell McVeagh is committed to providing a
work environment which enables staff to speak up about any issues of
concern, including bullying and/or harassment of any kind.”



The replacement of the Harassment Concerns Committee with a broader
list of people within the firm, trained to deal with harassment matters.



The removal of clause 4.2, which explained that “sexual harassment involves
behaviour which is related to the workplace, although incidents which
occur outside office hours and have a work connection may still constitute
sexual harassment”.

The Board and HR Director agreed that the policies would be emailed to staff, and
partners would be asked to follow up in team meetings.
My assessment is that the “Anti bullying and harassment policy” is inadequate. The
stages in the complaint process are not adequately outlined (a process diagram
would be helpful). The policy is silent on the possibility of an independent
investigation, independent legal representation, and access to an appropriate
expert counselling service.
It also does not explain that complainants who make complaints of sexual
harassment in good faith, and people who support them or speak up for them,
have legal protection against victimisation or unjustified disadvantage in
employment, which includes dismissal, denial of benefits including pay rises, or
promotion.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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When benchmarked against the New Zealand Law Society’s resource “Template
Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy – Legal Profession Prevention and Response
to Sexual Harassment Policy Guideline”, which is based on the State Services
Commission template, adapted for the legal profession by lawyer Steph Dyhrberg,
it falls considerably short. 6
Given the context of the allegations in which the Russell McVeagh policy was
updated, the omissions in the firm’s new policy calls in to question whether the
firm had recognised and learned from the inadequacies in its response.
In my view, Russell McVeagh would be better served by two separate policies
– one on sexual harassment and one on anti-bullying – rather than the current
combined policy. This would place the necessary focus on each issue, and
ensure the procedures are tailored to the specific circumstances that arise.

Alcohol Policy
At the time of the incidents, Russell McVeagh had no policy on alcohol. This
remains the case at the date of this review, although work has commenced to draft
a policy.
The lack of a policy on alcohol is surprising given the extent to which excessive and
frequent alcohol use have featured adversely in the firm’s history.
I note the steps the firm has taken over the past two and a half years to moderate
the availability of alcohol, and despite the lack of a formal policy, it is generally well
understood among staff that excessive drinking is no longer tolerated. I was told
there is no longer pressure to drink alcohol.
Previously, Friday night drinks (known as Friday 5s) had open-ended free alcohol
(including spirits), no supervision, and no set end time (regularly going late into the
night). Friday 5s are now limited to 5pm–7pm and plenty of food is provided.
Recruitment and other firm events (such as scholarship recipient and summer clerk
events) are now focused on activities rather than the “boozy dinners” of the past.
During the interviews, staff repeatedly told me of the enjoyment of getting
together for a drink at the end of the week. They found it an invaluable
opportunity to meet up with their peers and get to know people. Junior lawyers in
particular value the opportunity to connect with other lawyers (this seems
particularly important given the team-focused nature of the firm) and they really
appreciate the good food that is provided.

6. “Template Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy – Legal Profession Prevention and
Response to Sexual Harassment Policy Guideline”:
https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/__data/assets/word_doc/0005/120677/Template-sexualharassment-policy-guideline.doc [accessed 13 June 2018].

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Managing Poor Performance
Russell McVeagh has a comprehensive performance appraisal framework, but there
is no formal system or policy for managing poor performers. The approach taken is
described by the HR Director as “unique to every situation depending on the
gravity of the issue and conducted in accordance with the law and in consultation
with the Russell McVeagh employment partner”.
Some partners appear to work successfully with HR to resolve performance issues
while others are frustrated at HR’s inaction in dealing with this issue. A clear,
equitable approach to managing poor performance is essential.

Exit Interview Procedures
Exit interviews are conducted before staff members leave the firm. A member of HR
conducts an interview with the staff member, making notes of the conversation. I
was told that every few months a summary of key themes from the exit interviews
is provided to the Board by the Chief Executive. The Board does not receive the full
exit interviews, which makes it imperative that the summaries fairly reflect the
themes and concerns raised.
Based on what I have seen from exit interview transcripts held by HR, exit interview
information will prove very insightful for the people receiving and reviewing them.
My assessment is that exit interviews are a missed opportunity for the Board, and
in fact all the partners, to be briefed on all the issues arising from departing staff
and the necessary actions required to address these issues. Exit interviews provide
a rich source of information on an individual’s experience of the firm. They help
management understand what is working well and if there are any issues. It is often
the one time staff have the courage to speak out honestly about issues and take
the opportunity to alert the firm to problems. Exiting staff put a lot of faith in their
feedback being passed on to those who have the power to act upon it, yet it seems
the value of this information is not being realised. It is also essential that exit
interviews are conducted in a way that is safe for those who are leaving the firm.
It is essential that the full extent of the information provided in the interviews is
captured and safely reported. An independent consultant should conduct the exit
interviews and report to the Board. The report should state the numbers leaving
the firm, the areas of the firm from which the exits are occurring (i.e. which partners
and practice groups), anonymised feedback (including selected direct quotations),
as well as aggregated data related to gender, ethnicity, age, length of service,
reason(s) for leaving, and other key metrics.
There should also be a regular report on the implementation of actions required to
address the issues arising from the exit interviews.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Policy Gaps
Russell McVeagh also has no current policies, standards or systems to deal with the
following matters, and as noted in earlier sections should consider whether such
policies should be developed:



host responsibility at social events



behaviour at social events



reallocation of a partner’s files upon their departure, including the nature of
any ongoing relationship



intimate and familial relationships between staff, and



managing poor performance.

Russell McVeagh has an undated employment references policy, which I am told
was developed pre-2014. I note that the policy was not updated following the
incidents of the 2015-16 summer despite the difficult circumstances at that time.
This should be updated.
Russell McVeagh also has a media relations policy. This would also benefit from
updating.
Policies in and of their own right are not sufficient, and if these are not supported
by standards and systems on how they are to be applied, application can be
variable. Policies need to be widely and regularly communicated so that staff know
what is expected of them, and that failure to meet the expected standard will have
consequences.

Code of Conduct
Russell McVeagh lacks a code of conduct. Workplace environments with open,
transparent, and positive codes of conduct enable employees to thrive. While
detailed policies, procedures, and performance standards provide specific
expectations, a code of conduct explains ‘the way we work around here’ and
provides the foundation for what is expected of staff. It sets the standards of
acceptable and unacceptable conduct for everyone who works at the firm.

Russell McVeagh Initiatives
The firm must be commended for a number of initiatives, some of which were
under way before the incidents. I mention a few below; the full set is included in a
document provided by Russell McVeagh which is set out in full in Appendix Two.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Rainbow Tick
In 2016, Russell McVeagh received Rainbow Tick certification following a rigorous
assessment process. To retain the Rainbow Tick, the firm must undergo reevaluation and participate in an annual compliance and monitoring cycle (see
www.rainbowtick.co.nz). I spoke to a number of staff members who identified as
LGBTTI who were pleased about the efforts made by the firm on this front.
Staff told me that, at the time the work on the Rainbow Tick diversity initiative
began, they were not aware of the 2015–16 incidents in Wellington. However, they
commented that regardless of why the work began, it was positive that it did and
they believed the changes and commitment of the firm were genuine and would
continue.

Partners Leadership Programme and Coaching
This comprehensive programme was rolled out for all partners and had a
significant impact on the leadership skills and capability of many of those who took
part. Full attendance was expected but I am told not all partners participated fully,
one not at all. This issue of partners’ attendance at training being seen as optional
is discussed in more detail later in Term of Reference Four.

Counselling
The availability of counselling sessions is now widely advertised in multiple places
throughout the firm’s premises.

Transition to Work Programme
Following engagement with the Law Society and the universities with law faculties,
Russell McVeagh initiated and worked on the creation of a transition to work
programme for law students and summer clerks which comprises a number of
different seminars and training activities.

Findings


The firm lacks or has inadequate policies, standards, and systems in a
number of relevant areas.



The 2016 anti-bullying and harassment policy is inadequate when
benchmarked against relevant comparators. It was not developed in
consultation with staff, as is best practice.



The combination of anti-bullying and harassment in one policy does
not place the necessary focus on each issue.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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

The firm did not have an alcohol policy at the time of the incidents,
and still does not. However, excessive drinking is no longer tolerated
within the firm.



The firm has introduced a number of positive new initiatives (set out in
full in Appendix Two).



The firm has made good progress in a number of other areas such as
the inclusion and support of LGBTTI people.



Exit interviews are not being valued, meaningfully communicated to
the Board, and systematically acted upon.



The firm does not have a code of conduct.

Recommendations
17. That the firm engages an independent expert to advise on the
development or revision of policies, standards and systems
and to address the identified gaps:


host responsibility at social events



behaviour at social events



alcohol



provision of employment references



reallocation of a partner’s files upon their departure,
including the nature of any ongoing relationship



intimate and familial relationships between staff



managing poor performance



code of conduct

This should be done in consultation with staff.
18. That the anti-bullying and harassment policy be rewritten in
consultation with staff to develop two stand-alone policies: a
sexual harassment and sexual assault policy, and an antibullying policy.
19. That tight control be maintained over the availability of
alcohol.
20. That exit interviews be conducted by an independent
consultant, communicated to, and acted upon by the Board
with regular monitoring and reporting.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Term of Reference Three
– Part Two
It became clear during the review that staff have
vastly different experiences of working at Russell
McVeagh. Many thrive in an environment with
world class lawyers and mentors working on
complex and highly significant legal matters. I
received many positive comments about the firm’s
excellent legal training and support. Yet, some
people feel undervalued and disillusioned. During
the review, poor management was brought to my
attention by a sufficient number of people to
warrant further detailed consideration.
The firm’s positioning of itself as a premier law firm “operating at the cutting edge
of legal practice” comes at a significant cost to some of those who work for the
firm. Partners are promoted for their technical expertise and earning potential, not
for their management skills. They are not trained to be people managers and some
staff suffer as a result. Staff on the other hand are expected to put in long hours to
deliver excellent work to tight timelines, yet in some cases they are poorly
managed and looked after. When taken alongside the fear of speaking out and the
bullying issues identified earlier in the report, this is a matter of concern to me.
I have concluded that the key contributing factors are:



poor work management practices resulting from a lack of management
skills at senior levels

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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

a business model which creates confusion around the roles and
accountabilities of partners, the Board, the Board Chair and the Chief
Executive, and



an HR function which is conflicted and lacks capability.

Poor Work Management Practices
The nature of much legal work and the often unpredictable nature of legal practice
mean that it can be impossible to predict or control the timing of urgent legal
needs. This can lead to lawyers working very long hours, which is sometimes
unavoidable and necessary.
However, this underlying reality can be exacerbated by poor management, which
becomes an issue when:



staff work long hours unnecessarily



staff work long hours for an extended period, and



long hours are not recognised and staff feel unappreciated.

This can result in some junior staff struggling to cope and generally having an
unhappy time. During the review, many junior lawyers commented on these issues.
At Russell McVeagh, as at all law firms, work is primarily allocated by partners and
senior lawyers. Sometimes juniors are allocated work by several people who regard
it as the junior lawyers’ problem if they have been overworked. Junior lawyers were
told that they should say no to more work if they did not have the capacity to do it,
but they worried it would look like they couldn’t cope with the pace and this would
risk their future at the firm. A junior lawyer told me that, “saying each person is
responsible for their own workload does not work with a group of high achievers
with high expectations and no-one monitoring them. As a junior it is hard to know
when you have too much work or how long a task is supposed to take you.”
Work is also not spread evenly among teams within the same practice areas
leaving some with little work and others in neighbouring teams very busy. Some
practice groups have a lot of juniors and are light on senior lawyers. While this can
provide opportunities for juniors to rapidly grow their skills, there is a risk that the
small of number of senior lawyers have insufficient time for people management.
I was told of some instances where, towards the end of the day, a partner who has
been too busy or doesn’t have the skills to manage their workflow will clear his or
her in-tray as late as 6pm and give junior staff work needed for the next morning.
This in turn necessitates the staff who have waited at their desks all day to work
through the night or weekend to complete this allocated assignment, at times with
very little recognition or appreciation of the hours worked.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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I was given examples of a small number of junior lawyers being required to work
until midnight and, in some instances, as late as 4am most days, as well as
weekends, over prolonged periods. Junior lawyers told me of being at their desk
within an hour of waking and in bed again within an hour of leaving their desk.
They told me that they had no control of their lives; never seeing family and
friends, of being constantly tired, becoming exhausted and ill, and even suffering
mental health issues.
Russell McVeagh has introduced various initiatives to mitigate what can in some
cases be a 14-hour or longer working day. Meals are provided and there is a new
policy for ‘catch-up’ days. There is also a scheme where staff are given a ‘Prezzy’
gift card for exceptional performance. Both schemes are given at the partner’s
discretion. Some staff felt their extra hours worked were appreciated, but many
told me the systems were not working because the partner either did not know or
did not pay attention to the hours worked by staff. As the schemes are
discretionary, there are issues with staff having to initiate a conversation to ask for
a catch-up day and several instances where staff have asked and been refused.
There does not appear to be a link between the actual number of hours worked
and an entitlement to a day in lieu.
The other issue staff told me about was that in busy teams, even if they were given
a catch-up day, the team was so busy they felt there was never time to take it.
While the firm has made attempts to deal with these issues, junior lawyers told me
they had not been successful to-date. As one person told me: “You can’t run a
seminar on work/life balance and then email your team at 2am.” Another person
told me: “[A partner] buying the odd cake for morning tea is nice but doesn’t really
cut it when we’ve been working crazy hours for weeks.”
I have formed a view that, as the current discretionary system is not fair and
doesn’t work in all cases, a formal system of compensation for overtime is urgently
needed. This should not have a major financial impact on the firm as a fair
percentage of the partners are managing staff in an enlightened way. Such a
change will provide a positive incentive to manage staff well and also act as an
auditing system. Poor managers will feel the financial impact and quickly come into
line. This could be part of an overall review of remuneration for junior lawyers.
Some might be resistant to these changes citing them as unworkable and that “this
is the way things have always been”. It should be noted that many other
professions have gone through similar changes quite successfully and it is time for
the legal profession to do the same.
I was encouraged to hear that several partners now actively manage work
allocation and working hours to ensure long hours are not routinely worked by
lawyers. Some check with staff remaining in the early evening, monitor why they
are still at work, confirm the priority or urgency of the work, and manage work

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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allocation and support. Some partners also model family-friendly work practices
where they go home to their families in the evenings and encourage their staff to
do the same. This is really well received by staff and is having a big impact on the
culture of ‘presenteeism’ where junior staff feel uncomfortable about leaving the
office before the partner or senior lawyers have left, even when they have no
pressing work to do.

Findings


Great lawyers do not necessarily make good managers. In some
instances, staff suffer from partners’ and senior lawyers’ lack of time
and people management skills, with significant negative consequences
for some.



The promotion system does not include an adequate pre-requisite
assessment of a senior lawyer’s or partner’s capability to manage
staff and workflows.



Junior lawyers are regularly working long hours with discretionary
recognition in the form of ‘catch-up’ days or ‘Prezzy’ cards.



There is no formal system of compensation for overtime.



While junior-heavy practice groups can provide opportunities for
juniors to rapidly grow their skills, there is a risk that the small number
of senior lawyers have insufficient time for people management.



Partners who go home to their families at a reasonable time at the
end of most days, and encourage their staff to do the same, are
providing excellent role modelling.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Recommendations
21. That a pre-requisite for promotion to partner or senior lawyer
includes an improved assessment of demonstrable
management capability.
22. That compulsory management training be undertaken by
senior lawyers and partners.
23. That a fair system of days in lieu or payment for overtime be
developed, applied consistently, and not left to the discretion
of partners.
24. That consideration be given to whether the firm has sufficient
senior lawyers who, along with the partners, have the time to
explicitly focus on people management, supervision, and
training for junior lawyers.
25. That partners should model family-friendly practices and
leave the office at a reasonable hour each evening, and
ensure that their staff do the same, remaining late only in
exceptional circumstances.

The Business Model
Russell McVeagh is a parity partnership where each partner is effectively a business
owner in charge of his or her own practice. The nature of the Russell McVeagh
partnership model has been described in both positive and negative terms. Some
partners told me about a “fear of getting shot” if financial performance falls short
and I understand that those who are not performing are quickly exited. However,
others told me that the parity model provides for equality and drives excellence.
Either way, partners are under significant pressure to bring in fees to meet their
financial targets. The key driver is the generation of profits, with the management
of staff very much secondary to that.
Modern business practice includes the nurturing of the workforce – the firm’s
greatest asset – as well as financial success. The firm’s governance, business model,
management structure, and accountabilities need to be reviewed and redesigned
to reflect best business practice.
Russell McVeagh had already begun work to review its current business model to
consider whether it reflects the cutting edge, best practice system being used in
New Zealand and internationally; they are to be commended for this work.
However, it is important that this work is progressed so that management and the

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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well-being of its greatest asset, its staff, as well as financial performance, are both
front and centre in all decisions made. Russell McVeagh put this work on hold
while the review was underway, but I urge them to pick it up again.
Such changes will carry a financial cost, but to do nothing is not an option.
Ultimately the firm will reap the rewards of having a happy, high functioning, and
well workforce across the firm.
Staff are unclear who is in charge of the firm – partners, the Board, the Board Chair,
or the Chief Executive. This is particularly the case in the Wellington office. The
Board nominally sits across the top of the firm but, at the end of the day, each
partner runs their own business and no-one is clear who, if anyone, calls the
partners to account.
I will address the following parts of the business model in turn:



partners



Board and Board Chair



committees of the Board



Chief Executive, and



HR.

Partners
Lawyers are in the business of providing independent advice and are used to
operating autonomously in the delivery of legal services. However, for the firm and
the partnership to function effectively, they need to be bound by a system of
collective responsibility in administering and managing the firm.
Furthermore, the Russell McVeagh Partnership Constitution states: “All partners
shall have the right to participate in the business and affairs of the partnership and
the duty to contribute to its management and direction.” Clearly partners are
expected to have an eye out for the functioning of whole firm, not just their slice of
it.
Unfortunately, it is my observation that a good number of partners operate in silos
with low awareness of or interest in what is happening outside of their practice. I
was amazed to hear of some partners exhibiting appalling behaviour within their
teams and other partners saying they had no idea it was happening – yet staff
seemed to know. Things going unnoticed have potentially serious consequences
not only for individual staff members but for the reputation and survival of the
firm. Partners enjoy a large share of profits; with that comes responsibility and
accountability for what happens at the firm.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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There are also instances where the unacceptable behaviour of partners was well
known and visible, yet the firm was slow to tackle these individuals, often because
of their status and earning capacity. Again, this has had a significant negative
impact on staff and resulted in many good staff exiting the firm.
Expectations of partners’ behaviour is set out in a document called “Partner
Attributes”. I was surprised that only one partner mentioned it, so it would seem
these attributes are not widely owned by the partnership. They have also not been
updated since February 2003.
Partners are promoted first and foremost for their technical capability, industry
recognition, and ability to bring in work. The traditional criteria for partnership are
outstanding ability as a lawyer, personal integrity, compatibility, and strong
commitment to the partnership. Through the succession and admissions process
(which manages promotions within the firm), the skills of leadership, pastoral care,
and management appear not to receive the same weighting as those stated above.
The lack of these competencies negatively impacts staff well-being and ultimately
the firm’s culture. While the firm employs a 360 degree feedback process, it is not
adequately reflecting the experiences of staff.
Given partners have a position of responsibility over others, it is considered
fundamental that priority be given to developing existing partners’ management
skills, particularly people management alongside the other duties of providing
legal services and maintaining and building client relationships.

Findings


The “Partner Attributes” document that sets the benchmark for the
expected behaviours of partners has little status and is outdated.



Many partners are focused inwardly on their own practice areas and
are failing to contribute to the overall management of the firm.



There is a swift and ruthless response when partners are not
performing financially. This is not mirrored in other areas such as the
mismanagement of staff.



The succession and admissions process is failing to adequately assess
potential partners’ leadership and management skills and attitudes.
The assessment of partners is weighted too heavily in favour of
financial objectives.



The 360 degree feedback process assessing the performance of
partners is not capturing the negative issues staff are experiencing.

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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Recommendations
26. That an inclusive, firm-wide process be run to agree the
attributes and behaviours of Russell McVeagh partners and
that these reflect the firm’s expectations of its partners with
regard to people management.
27. That the agreed attributes and behaviours of partners are an
integral part of the 360 degree appraisal system for
partners.
28. That the Succession and Admissions Committee introduces a far
more rigorous system of appraising leadership and
management skills of potential partners. This committee should
contract an external person experienced in such assessments
for this purpose.
29. That, as part of the preparation for the step to partnership,
prospective partners be required to complete a
comprehensive training module in staff management and
people leadership.
30. That the process for promotion to senior solicitor and senior
associate levels also includes an assessment of management,
including people management skills and attitudes.

Board and Board Chair
The current Russell McVeagh Partnership Constitution provides for a new Board to
be elected every year, and the Chair to be elected every one to two years. This
makes it difficult to form a fully cohesive Board that is able to provide strong
strategic leadership of the firm and bring about the culture change that this review
has identified as being necessary. The need for culture change is discussed more
fully in Term of Reference Four.
The short tenure term of the Board and Board Chair also makes building a cohesive
and trusted partnership with the Chief Executive difficult. It puts the Chief Executive
in a position of significant power as this role provides continuity. The Chief
Executive is the only one with a full understanding of all aspects of the firm. At a
time of such major change, it would make good sense to extend the tenure of the
Board Chair to at least three but preferably five years with staggered terms for
Board members to ensure continuity and to allow consolidation of the changes.
A significant programme of transformation is required, much of which is in the
hands of the partners and is for the Board, not the Chief Executive, to lead. I

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 Independent Review of Russell McVeagh
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question whether the Board Chair has sufficient capacity to attend to the issues
that need addressing within the firm at this time. I suggest that the role of the
Board Chair be examined to see if a separate role of National Managing Partner
should be created for a period of time. The National Managing Partner would have
specific responsibility for leading organisational transformation and for ensuring
partner participation. This role would report to the Board Chair. This would suit
someone with strong people management skills who is at the point in their career
where they were able to devote a significant portion of their time to providing
strong, visible, people-centred leadership.
The role of the Chair of the Partnership (not to be confused with the Board Chair)
seems very limited. It is not clear how it aligns with the Board Chair and who has
responsibility for the management of the partners’ behaviour. These roles should
be clarified to ensure that it is clear the Board Chair has ultimate responsibility for
managing the behaviour of partners. Consideration should be given to whether the
role of the Chair of the Partnership be disestablished in preference for a National
Managing Partner.
The lack of clear leadership in the Wellington office contributed to the poor
handling of the incidents described in this review, and needs to be addressed. Staff
need to see visible leadership that role models the way of working this review
contemplates and that integrates and aligns with the Auckland office. The concept
of establishing a managing partner of the Wellington office reporting to the
National Managing Partner should be explored. At the same time, consideration
should be given to creating a part-time HR manager role which could be combined
with a new position of manager of the Wellington office, reporting to the Chief
Executive.
It is important that, while preserving the independence of the partners, the Board is
as strong as possible. I believe the Board would benefit significantly from
appointing an independent Board member who is not a lawyer or an accountant
but someone with specialist people leadership and culture change experience.
The reports the Board receives should keep them fully apprised of people
management matters and should include a comprehensive range of metrics on
staffing, staff management, and culture.

Findings


It is not clear who is responsible for managing partners’ behaviour.



The Board Chair will not have sufficient capacity to lead the
significant programme of transformation that this review is
recommending.

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

The relationship between the Chief Executive and the Board Chair is
not strong enough and is hindered by the short tenure of the Board
Chair.



Leadership in the Wellington office is lacking.



The position and value of the Chair of the Partnership is unclear.



The Board lacks from not having an external Board member who has
experience outside the fields of law and accounting



The Board does not receive adequate reports on staffing, staff
management, and culture.

Recommendations
31. That an update of the recent independent review of the
governance of the firm be conducted to advise on:
(a) The tenure of the Board Chair and Board members.
(b) The role of the Board Chair and the establishment of a
separate National Managing Partner role with specific
responsibility for organisational transformation and
culture.
(c) The appropriate form of leadership of the Wellington
office with consideration given to establishing a
managing partner role for the Wellington office,
reporting to the National Managing Partner.
(d) The role and value of having a Chair of the Partnership.
(e) The appointment of an independent Board member with
specialist people leadership and culture change
experience.
(f) The adequacy of Board reports with respect to staff
management and welfare.

Committees of the Board
Existing Committees
The Board currently has two committees: Ethics, and Succession and Admissions.
The Ethics Committee responsibilities can broadly be broken into two categories:
assessment of conflicts of interest including claims against the partnership; and the
review of any matter that has serious implications for the reputation and standing
of the partnership. Its current focus seems predominantly on the former. For

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example, I find it peculiar that the Ethics Committee played no role in the incidents
described in Term of Reference One of this review or the issues arising from their
handling.
The Succession and Admissions is a powerful committee. It holds the future
progression of staff through to partnership status in its hands and it has the ability
to significantly influence the firm’s culture through its recruitment
recommendations. Great care must be taken when selecting who chairs it and it
would benefit significantly from having joint male and female chairs. The chairs
must be above reproach and be committed to conducting more detailed
assessment on potential partner candidates – with a strong focus on people
management skills and culture.
The committee should be supported on an ongoing basis by an external specialist
organisation. It should also seek advice on how best to conduct impartial
assessments of potential candidates.

New Committees
It has become clear in the course of conducting this review that the culture of the
firm has to change. This will be detailed in Term of Reference Four. The Board
needs better oversight of the people management practices of the firm and a
means of playing a significant leadership role in bringing about transformation of
the firm’s culture. As part of the independent governance review, consideration
should be given to establishing two additional committees: People and
Transformation, and National Practice Chairs.

People and Transformation Committee
The People and Transformation Committee has the potential to be game-changing
for the firm. Its role would be to oversee the transformation of the firm’s culture
from being hierarchical and siloed to being open and collaborative. Its purpose
would be to redesign the workplace to create a collaborative culture that changes
the way staff and the firm operate. This will be a huge change for the firm but if
this change is achieved, Russell McVeagh would be setting new trends for other
law firms to follow. The committee should be made up of partners who have
strong people management skills and who are prepared to lead the much-needed
culture change.
To enable the People and Transformation Committee to drive the transformation
of Russell McVeagh’s culture, it must ensure it has the best available information
about staff welfare and misconduct issues. The committee would need to review
and take ownership for outcomes related to exit interview information provided by
staff who have recently left, via the independent consultant I have proposed be
engaged to conduct the exit interviews. It must also ensure that the progress of the
transformation of the firm’s culture is benchmarked and accurately measured, with

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regular reporting to the Board and all partners, with updates cascading through to
all staff. Change must be visible at all levels of the firm.
This committee should find meaningful opportunities for junior lawyers to have a
voice. Junior lawyers make up more than half the staff yet there are few
mechanisms to understand and connect with them. It is essential that Russell
McVeagh values and engages this cohort.
Change of this kind will need considerable effort over a long period (10 years is the
norm for culture change of this magnitude). Russell McVeagh would be wise to
enlist the assistance of a consultant to support the culture change process and this
committee.

Practice Group Chairs Committee
The focus of Russell McVeagh’s Practice Group Chairs, both local and national, is
on managing and growing the practice of law, ensuring standards of excellence are
maintained, and responding to future trends. I understand they report to the Board
individually on a rolling basis over the year, and meet together from time to time
to discuss marketing opportunities. There is also an innovation committee, which I
understand is focused on technology.
While these groups carry out important functions, there is currently no national
committee with the responsibility to look strategically at the future of legal practice
at Russell McVeagh, and to consider new ways of working and opportunities to
develop smarter and better uses of technology and human resources.
In my view the firm should consider creating a new national committee of the nine
Chairs of the Practice Groups, incorporating the functions of the innovation
committee. This would, in my view, greatly strengthen the firm’s ability to face the
challenges of the future.

Findings


The role of the Ethics Committee does not appear to be well
understood.



The Succession and Admissions Committee wields considerable power
and has the ability to influence the firm’s practice and culture through
its recommendations.



As with the assessment of partners, the assessment of potential
candidates for promotion does not adequately test people
management capability.



The 360 degree surveys intended to elicit feedback from staff on
candidates for promotion are not working.

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

There is no committee of the Board that has a focus on people
management or culture at the firm.



Junior lawyers make up over 50 percent of the firm yet there are
only ad hoc, partner-dependent mechanisms for their voices to be
heard.



There is currently no national committee with the responsibility to look
strategically at the future of legal practice at Russell McVeagh.

Recommendations
32. That as part of the updated independent governance review,
consideration be given to the Board’s committees. In particular:
(a)

The appropriate role and operation of the Ethics
Committee.

(b)

The appointment of joint male and female chairs for
the Succession and Admissions Committee

(c)

The appointment of an external specialist to support
the Succession and Admissions Committee and to
advise on obtaining extensive, impartial assessments of
staff being put forward for promotion to partnership
and other senior roles.

(d)

Establishing two new committees: the People and
Transformation Committee, and national Practice
Group Chairs.

(e)

Ensuring the People and Transformation Committee has
specific oversight for transformation of the firm’s
culture, building on the work being done on changing
the business model and the structure of the firm from
being hierarchical to open and collaborative.

(f)

The appointment of external specialists to support the
People and Transformation Committee, including
people skilled at facilitating a collaborative way of
working.

(g)

Ensuring the Practice Group Chairs look strategically at
the future of legal practice at Russell McVeagh.

Chief Executive
The role of Chief Executive at Russell McVeagh appears to have become blurred
over the many years the incumbent has held the role. It is clear that the Chief
Executive has a strong hand in the financial and business side of the firm, but less

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clear in terms of the degree to which he is across the management of staff and the
behaviour of partners.
The Chief Executive told me that while he is accountable for the management of
the firm, his role with respect to the partners is one of influence and is largely
reliant on his mana. Others I spoke to for this review told me that the Chief
Executive, who has been in the role for 20 years, has considerable power and
influence.
The planned retirement of the Chief Executive in December 2018 provides an
opportunity to review the role and set out the clear accountabilities of the position
in order to give the Chief Executive a strong role in overseeing the ability and
readiness of partners to discharge the firm’s employment responsibilities for staff.
It would make sense to consider specifying a time limit on the tenure of this role.
It should be clear and unequivocal that the Chief Executive is the employer of staff
and is in charge of ensuring that the appropriate policies, standards, and systems
are in place to ensure their well-being. The Chief Executive will need to be a skilled
manager of people, capable of providing the inspirational leadership to achieve
transformational change.
At the time the Chief Executive’s role is reviewed, it would make sense to review
the structure and efficacy of the management team, particularly the HR function. I
will make further comments about the HR function in the following section.
Some partners have queried the Chief Executive’s membership of the Board. I
consider it essential that the Chief Executive is a member of the Board so that every
aspect of the firm is well managed and aligned.

Findings


The position description and responsibilities of the Chief Executive are
unclear and need review.



The Chief Executive’s role is too heavily weighted towards financial
and business management with insufficient emphasis on people
management.



The structure and efficacy of the management team, particularly the
HR function needs review.

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Recommendations
33. That the Chief Executive’s position description and
responsibilities be reviewed.
34. That the Chief Executive’s accountabilities for staff
management and the Board Chair’s accountability for
partners’ performance management are clearly aligned.
35. That clear boundaries and respect for the roles of governance
and management are maintained.
36. That the structure, function, and efficacy of the management
team, particularly the HR function, be examined at the same
time as the Chief Executive’s role is being reviewed.

The Role and Function of Human Resources
HR seems to have three key functions, although there is widespread lack of
understanding of its role within the firm:



Recruitment, a significant proportion of which involves scholarship
recipients, summer clerks, and graduate lawyers.



Learning and development.



The delivery of core HR services required in any organisation of this size
(including developing and implementing policies, standards, and systems,
employment relations advice, preparation of employment agreements,
skills and knowledge of change management, performance appraisals and
performance management, advice on remuneration, and oversight of
culture and the workforce).

HR is responsible to the Chief Executive but is seen by the staff to work to the
partners. A common theme was that “HR works for the partners not the staff”. HR
has developed a practice of communicating directly to the Board and other
partners rather than through the Chief Executive. This compromises the integrity of
the governance and management interface and must cease.
The majority of the people whom I saw liked HR but did not trust it with anything
confidential. Staff are thus presented with a dilemma of whom to go to if they have
an issue where they need to share information that could negatively impact their
promotion prospects.

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Russell McVeagh’s scholarships and summer clerk programmes and general
recruitment are done well, but they take up a disproportionate amount of HR’s
time, especially given the large numbers of junior staff being hired. This
overshadows the provision of good quality, core HR services.
Under Term of Reference One, I examined the performance of the HR Director in
relation to the management of the incidents. As stated, the HR team was
undergoing a period of change around that time, change that did not serve them
well and left the Wellington office exposed from an HR perspective. Earlier in the
report, I found that the firm lacks or has inadequate policies, standards, and
systems in a number of relevant areas. I concluded that the firm did not have the
right level of HR expertise available to it.
The proposed review of the firm’s management structure should include bringing
in an external expert to review and redesign the HR function to get clarity with
regard to its role, function, and reporting lines. It is hoped that this will go some
way to resolving conflict in the way it functions and restoring trust in HR among
Russell McVeagh’s staff.

Findings


HR provides excellent pastoral care but does not provide a
sophisticated and professional HR service.



The HR function has been disproportionately weighted towards
recruitment.



HR has not adequately fulfilled its responsibility for ensuring policies,
systems, and standards are in place to provide partners with tools for
day-to-day management of staff.



Many staff like but do not trust HR and would not approach them with
an issue.



HR has developed a practice of communicating directly with the
Board and partners rather than through the Chief Executive. This must
cease.



The Wellington office should have an HR manager who reports
directly to the Chief Executive.



HR lacks sufficient capability and capacity to support the kind of
cultural transformation anticipated by this review.

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Recommendations
37. That as part of the proposed review of the firm’s management
structure, an external expert be brought in to review and
redesign the HR function to get clarity of its role, function, and
reporting lines. In particular, this should consider:
(a) Appointing a manager with dedicated responsibility for
recruiting and administering the firm’s
scholarships/summer clerk/graduate programmes.
(b) Recruiting an expert HR practitioner to focus on the
provision of core HR services.
(c) Creating a new senior manager role with responsibility
for supporting the proposed People and Transformation
Committee of the Board with the transformation of the
culture. This manager should be a well-respected expert
in cultural transformation.
38. That a part-time HR manager be appointed in the Wellington
office. This position could be combined with the position of
manager of the Wellington office.

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Term of Reference Four
– Culture
To assess the culture of the firm.

I had contact with over 250 people as part of this
review. The majority had positive things to say
about working at Russell McVeagh. Young people
in particular told me how much they enjoyed
working in an environment with stimulating work
and talented colleagues who became good friends.
Many people commented on how much the culture
had improved over recent times. However, I saw a
sufficient number of people whose descriptions of
their work experiences were awful to be able to
assess that much work is needed to transform the
culture into one in which all staff can thrive.

Past Culture
My sense is that the current generation of partners inherited a firm with significant
elements of an old fashioned, ‘blokey’ culture where the availability of alcohol was
unlimited and provided an opportunity for some to habitually drink to excess. This
was at times accompanied by appalling behaviour of a crude, drunken, and sexual
nature. I heard accounts of grossly obscene behaviour including sexual harassment,
unwanted sexual advances, and sexual assault. I was told that 20 years ago, some
partners took some male summer clerks to a local strip club.

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The central role of alcohol in the firm’s life began as early as recruitment of school
leaver scholars and continued in a largely unconstrained way at firm-wide events. A
number of women told me they believed that they were expected to participate in
social functions where large amounts of alcohol were present and were fearful
about being labelled as not suitable for the lifestyle of the firm if they did not.
Many felt pressure to drink to fit in, and some young women developed strategies
to look out for each other.
The hierarchical structure of the firm created a significant power imbalance
between junior staff and partners. Few women were in senior roles. The firm’s
ruthless pursuit of excellence with very high standards created an intense and
competitive work environment. Russell McVeagh was widely known for its ‘work
hard, play hard’ culture. Meeting financial targets was a strong determinant of
success and progression. Intelligent, capable young people were largely left to sink
or swim, working exceptionally long hours.
The culture had begun to change at the time of the incidents of the 2015–16
summer, partly in response to changes in societal norms. However, many elements
of the past culture remained. Drunkenness and inappropriate sexual behaviour
were still tolerated and some teams continued to ‘work hard, play hard’. Although
many staff were aware of poor behaviour, some even before they joined the firm,
partners told me they were unaware. Certainly no one person had visibility over, or
responsibility for seeing, what was going on in other teams and addressing it.

Current Culture
I had contact with over 250 people as part of this review. The majority had positive
things to say about working at Russell McVeagh and commented that the positive
change in culture has been marked in the last few years. This is encouraging.
Alcohol use has been significantly curtailed. The firm has made it clear that sexual
harassment, unwanted sexual advances, and sexual assault of employees are
completely unacceptable and have no place in the firm’s culture. The firm has had
an increased focus on improving work/life balance. They are to be commended for
their focus on diversity initiatives, particularly on women and LGBTTI people. I note
however that people of Māori, Pasifika, and other ethnicities represent a very small
minority of staff at Russell McVeagh.
Russell McVeagh achieved Rainbow Tick accreditation and signed up to the Law
Society’s Gender Equality Charter (see Appendix One) which aims to improve the
retention and advancement of women in the legal profession. Many of the charter
commitments are relevant to diversity more broadly. Russell McVeagh also played
a significant role in the development of the New Zealand Law Society and Bar
Association's Gender Equitable Engagement and Instruction Policy, which was
launched in December 2017.

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I was encouraged to hear of partners making a much greater effort to be engaged
with staff. Many people spoke positively about the focus on excellence and high
quality work and of the firm’s efforts to provide benefits to staff. In particular, many
junior lawyers told me that they enjoyed working with so many talented young
people as well as learning from very skilled senior lawyers. Some people spoke of a
culture of generosity where the firm provided exceptional support at times of
serious illness, which was greatly appreciated.
These changes are positive and are to be commended. They are, however, not
enough. I saw a sufficient number of people whose descriptions of their work
experiences were awful, to assess that a great deal more work on the firm’s culture
is required.
There is still some evidence of sexism. Poor management and work allocation
practices continue to result in some staff working excessively long hours. I was
most disheartened to interview numerous people – both lawyers and support staff
– who were frightened and felt powerless in the face of atrocious behaviour by a
small group of offending partners and seniors whose belittling and disempowering
behaviours constitute bullying. This behaviour is able to continue because it is
often invisible or goes unnoticed by those in a position to do something about it. It
also continues because the majority fear that, if they report the problem to HR,
confidentiality will not be maintained and they will suffer consequences as a result.
From interviews with staff I do not believe that the purported ‘speak out’ culture
exists.
Contributing to the lack of a ‘speak out’ culture is an underlying culture of fear.
There is fear among junior lawyers that partners, who ultimately make the
decisions about career progression, will learn something about them that might
jeopardise their chances of promotion. Partners also exhibit a culture of fear – fear
of not meeting their financial targets and being exited from the partnership as a
result.
I have concluded that, while the firm has addressed excessive alcohol use and
made it clear that sexual harassment is unacceptable, issues of bullying, sexism,
unconscious bias, and poor management practices are all having a negative impact
on the culture. I conclude that a great deal of work remains to transform the
culture of the firm and I urge the Board to take immediate steps to begin this
process.

Transformation of the Culture
It is in Russell McVeagh’s interests to invest in building a superb culture. Not only
because it is the right thing to do for the many talented people who work for the

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firm, but because companies with positive, healthy cultures are more likely to get
the best from every employee and perform better overall.
The firm’s culture needs transformation from being hierarchical and siloed to being
open and collaborative; to being a culture where bullying and fear have no place;
and to being a workplace where women are valued, diversity is genuinely
embraced, and the power imbalance is redressed. This transformed culture needs
to provide young lawyers with a meaningful voice and the ability to speak up
without fear of repercussion. The challenge in achieving this should not be
underestimated given the degree to which attitudes have become embedded.
The partners and the Board must clearly articulate the behaviours they expect of
staff, and having done so, must live up to these behaviours themselves.
These stated expectations need to be supported by clear, readily available, and
widely understood policies, systems, and processes. Implementation of policies
needs careful monitoring and regular reporting to the whole organisation. A new
committee of the Board is proposed in Term of Reference Three – Part Two called
the People and Transformation Committee. This Committee should be mandated
to drive the transformation of the firm’s culture.

Leadership and Management
Transformation of a culture requires strong leadership committed to driving
change over a sustained period. It also relies on leaders having excellent
management skills, particularly in people management.
The partnership, the Board, and the Chief Executive are integral to leading the
change and must ensure the availability of sufficient resources with the right
capability.
Central to the transformation of the culture are the voices and perspectives of
women and young people.

Place of Women and Diversity
Russell McVeagh is proud of the fact that just under 30 percent of its partners are
women because it is a leader when compared with other big firms. It also claims to
be a meritocracy, where people progress into senior roles on merit. I find a
disconnect between these claims. Given the exceptional calibre of women lawyers
at the firm, promotion on merit should see significantly more women in senior
roles than is currently the case.
I met many talented, bright women lawyers during the interviews. The fact that so
many of them leave the firm rather than progressing to partnership is both
disappointing and a big loss for the firm.

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While work has begun to address issues of sexism and unconscious bias against
women, there is still some way to go. I consider any form of discrimination against
women to be a serious issue because it inhibits the change in culture that is
needed to achieve the complete elimination of sexual harassment and sexual
assault. Gender equality is a crucial ingredient.
Many people told me that the reason for the insufficient numbers of women in
senior roles is a structural problem that exists across the legal profession. Some
women junior lawyers perceived the firm’s business model as not being workable if
you want to have children. Others, who reported to partners (both men and
women) who were balancing family life and making it work, saw great role models
of how it can be done. An opportunity exists for senior and junior women to sit
down together to explore what can be changed so that women can maintain their
career progression within the firm as they raise a family. Flexible work
arrangements such as job sharing should be considered.
Women bring different insights and talents to the leadership table. In a 2009
McKinsey & Company report called Women Matter 3, the authors refer to the
correlation between a company’s performance and the proportion of women
serving on its Board. 7 They identify some of the reasons for this “performance
effect” as stemming from the leadership behaviours that women tend to adopt
more frequently than their male counterparts.
Russell McVeagh has some inspirational women partners. I am encouraged by the
most recent Board elections where a majority of women were elected to the Board.
It is so important, particularly at this juncture, because women have a significant
leadership role to play in transforming the culture of the firm. I caution however
that this review found that not all of the women in leadership roles at Russell
McVeagh demonstrate behaviour that creates a positive culture. Care must be
taken to promote more women who are great role models.
While women are key to bringing change to the culture, the role of men is not to
be underestimated. I met many men, particularly young men, who were appalled
by the awful behaviour of some of their male colleagues and who spoke out
strongly against such behaviour.
A culture where people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual
orientation are welcome and fully able to contribute to the life of the firm is one
Russell McVeagh should actively pursue.

7. McKinsey & Company, 2009: “Women Matter 3: Women leaders, a competitive edge
in and after the crisis”, https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/
Business%20Functions/Organization/Our%20Insights/Women%20matter/Women_matt
er_dec2009_english.ashx [accessed 21 June 2018].

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Voice of Young People
As discussed earlier in my report, young people make up over half of the staff of
Russell McVeagh. Many are of a generation where they have been encouraged to
have their say, and it is important that the firm puts bridges in place to ensure that
their way of relating is accommodated. This was certainly not the case at the time
of the incidents and it is timely to make an investment in creating a future where
young people are empowered to speak up.

Collaboration
I have concluded that a collaborative way of working is integral to transforming
Russell McVeagh’s culture. Collaboration will harness the collective wisdom of the
full spectrum of employees, diminish the significant power imbalance, and provide
a mechanism for staff to reach out for support without fear of repercussion.
The more staff work together across functional groups where everyone – partners,
senior staff, junior lawyers, and support staff – can sit down together, the more
opportunity there is to hear a variety of perspectives and learn the art of ‘giving a
bit to gain a bit’. This way of working develops trusting relationships and enables
staff to benchmark what is normal behaviour. Great role models will be more
widely visible and accessible, influencing others to a better way of working. Those
who mistreat staff will be pulled into line.
Collaboration must extend to all aspects of life at the firm, giving multiple
opportunities for staff, especially the large number of junior lawyers, to have a
voice. Even though Russell McVeagh has collaboration as one of its three core
values, creating a truly collaborative culture will be a challenge. The practice of law
is essentially individualistic and self-reliant and readily lends itself to siloed ways of
working. The firm has a great deal of work to do to embed this value in its culture,
but if collaboration becomes an integral part of its way of working, it will
fundamentally change the Russell McVeagh workplace.
Some partners have embraced the learnings from the leadership course they have
recently undertaken and are exploring ways of working with junior staff. One such
initiative I was told of and which I think is a concept worth developing is where the
junior lawyers in a practice group have a monthly coffee meeting to pool their
work-related issues. One of the group is then nominated on a rotating basis to
feed these back to a meeting of their partners once a month. The partners
undertake to address these issues and report back on actions taken at the next
meeting of the group.
Another great initiative set up by the women junior lawyers in the firm is “The
Breakfast Club”, where these junior lawyers meet to identify and generate new

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ideas, and also to find solutions or escalation pathways for issues they are
experiencing. I was shown some of what they have come up with and it is excellent.
These examples are small but important beginnings and much more needs to be
done to support and develop them further. The firm should also look externally to
other organisations for examples where this is being done well.
It is not sufficient to tell people they need to embrace a collaborative way of
working. They need to be shown how to do this. Committing to bringing in
professional facilitators experienced at helping groups work in a collaborative way
would be a worthwhile investment.

Training
Central to embedding culture change is training. I have seen the schedule of
training offered to staff at each level and I am told that the technical training
offered at Russell McVeagh is truly excellent. I commend the firm for this. However,
it is training in management, particularly people management, and on the ‘softer
skills’ of being a leader that needs further attention.
A carefully designed training programme should be developed that ensures every
staff member is aware of the changes being made to the culture. Attendance at
these training sessions should be factored into every staff member’s work hours
and allowance made in billing targets; training should be compulsory for all,
partners included.
It is my experience that those who need the training often elect not to attend. This
is also the case at Russell McVeagh. Juniors should not be the only level of the firm
required to attend training courses like Alcohol and Me, Unconscious Bias, and
Rainbow Tick, among others. Non-attendance by senior staff sends the message
that those higher up in the firm use alcohol responsibly and know all about
diversity. This is not so. It should be compulsory for partners to attend training
sessions that relate to culture along with staff from all levels of the firm. Once
training has occurred, partners must model the behaviour and the attitudinal
change required.

Monitoring and Auditing
A culture change of the magnitude envisaged by this review takes a long time to
take effect. In my experience such change takes about 10 years, while everyone
adopts the new culture and makes the personal and collective attitude and
behaviour changes. There is a risk that over such a long time completing the
change ceases to be a priority. People who are passionate about driving the
change leave and are not replaced by people with the same passion to keep up the
momentum.

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Efforts to change the culture need to be monitored, measured, and reported to the
Board and staff. If this is not done, old behaviours will creep back in and the firm
will be at risk of further incidents in the future.
Some form of annual auditing of progress is needed. Russell McVeagh is well on
the way to making the Rainbow Tick changes, and a feature of this certification is
the annual auditing and measuring of change. This is an external, unbiased review
of progress. The Law Society’s Gender Equality Charter also requires a report to the
Law Society on progress every two years. A similar mechanism could be used to
audit the broader culture changes being made by the firm.

Culture Change in the Wider Legal Profession
The Law Society has itself been the subject of criticism for failing to act on the
issues of sexual harassment and bullying revealed in the recent survey discussed
above. It is moving quickly to equip itself to provide the leadership and advocacy
for the profession to rectify the problems that have been identified and to change
the culture. It would be preferable for one organisation such as the Law Society to
set a standard that is consistent for all law practitioners.
Russell McVeagh has begun to address their problems and is well placed to partner
with the other law firms to support the New Zealand Law Society as it endeavours
to provide leadership and advocacy for all law practitioners at this time.
I suggest that Russell McVeagh approaches the New Zealand Law Society to see if
some arrangement can be made to build on the initiatives undertaken with the Law
Society and law schools. This would be of value to all New Zealand’s large law firms
and the relevant universities. The universities also have a role to advocate for and
model excellence in standards of behaviour for the legal profession. New Zealand
university faculties of law are in a powerful position to educate the next generation
of lawyers and ensure that graduates are imbued with a passion for the highest
standards of behaviour.
At Russell McVeagh change is under way but persistent and consistent attention to
culture is critical to truly cement the new culture. It is imperative that the Chief
Executive, Board, and every partner are committed to the proposed transformation
of the firm's culture and that they have a shared 10-year plan to complete the
change.

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Findings


Russell McVeagh has begun to change its culture. This was under way
before the incidents but has accelerated since. I found that:
–
–
–
–



sexual harassment and sexual assault of employees is not part of
the firm’s current culture
alcohol use has been significantly curtailed
effort has been put into diversity initiatives, and
there is a culture of generosity towards its staff.

There are still several things that are hindering the development of a
healthy culture:
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

poor people management and work allocation practices
remnants of a ‘blokey’ culture
significant power imbalance between junior lawyers and partners
and between lawyers and support staff, created by the firm’s
hierarchical structure
the lack of a ‘speak-out’ culture,
an underlying culture of fear among some staff and partners
where staff fear their partners will hear things about them that
will limit their advancement, and partners fear the implications of
not meeting their financial targets
an insufficient number of women in senior leadership roles, with a
view held by some that being a partner is not compatible with
raising a family
young lawyers not having a meaningful voice and fearing
repercussions if they speak up, and
a lack of management training, particularly people and ‘soft
skills’ management.



Collaboration is the key to changing the culture.



Training programmes should be developed that ensure every staff
member is aware of the changes being made to the culture.
Attendance at these training sessions should be factored in to every
staff member’s work hours and allowance made in billing targets.
Attendance should be compulsory for all, partners included.

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Recommendations
39. That the Board and partners commit to leading a programme
of transformational change to Russell McVeagh’s culture.
40. That the firm develops a 10-year plan to ensure the changes
to culture are implemented, monitored, audited, and reported
upon to the Board and staff to ensure they become
embedded.
41. That collaboration becomes the way of working where staff
across functional groups and seniority levels have the
opportunity to hear one another’s perspectives and learn the
value of ‘giving a bit to gain a bit’.
42. That the proposed People and Transformation Committee of
the Board be mandated to drive the transformation of the
firm’s culture.
43. That senior and junior women sit down together to explore
what can be changed so that women can maintain their career
progression within the firm to reach partnership as they raise
a family, such as part-time work or job sharing.
44. That meaningful, safe opportunities and mechanisms for
ensuring junior lawyers have a voice are explored and
implemented, and that this is led by the junior lawyers
themselves.
45. That the training programme for partners and senior lawyers
be expanded to include a far greater emphasis on people
management and on the ‘softer skills’ of being a leader. This
training should be compulsory.
46. That a programme of training to embed the new culture be
developed, with attendance at these training sessions factored
into every staff member’s work hours and allowance made in
billing targets; training should be compulsory for all, partners
included.
47. That Russell McVeagh and other law firms support the New
Zealand Law Society to provide leadership and advocacy for
all law practitioners at this time.
48. That the universities advocate for and model excellence in
standards of behaviour for the legal profession.

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Appendices

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Appendix One – New Zealand Law Society
Gender Equality Charter

GENDER EQUALITY
CHARTER
NEW ZEALAND LAW SOCIETY

GENDER EQUALITY CHARTER
F oste ring posit i ve ch ange in the legal
p rofess ion
The legal profession is committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion
and to recognising the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand. We will
take action to improve the culture of the legal profession to attract and retain
the best talent, better understand and meet client needs, and reflect the
multicultural society we serve. Working to improve diversity and inclusion is not
only the right thing to do, it is critical to the success and sustainability of the
legal profession.
The primary purpose of this charter is to improve the retention and
advancement of women in the legal profession. However, many charter
commitments are relevant to diversity more broadly. A review of the charter will
be commenced within two years with a view to incorporating other aspects of
diversity.

Signatories to this charter will:
1. Lead from the top

>

assign responsibility for meeting charter commitments to a named
senior level individual

2. Make a plan and take action

>

implement unconscious bias training for all lawyers and key staff and
take action to address identified bias

>

conduct annual gender pay audits and take action to close any gender
pay gap

>

encourage and support flexible working to assist all lawyers to balance
professional and personal responsibilities

>

regularly review areas of their practice with a gender equality and
inclusion lens e.g. recruitment, retention and promotion practices

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>

adopt equitable briefing and instruction practices

>

actively work to increase gender equality and inclusion in senior legal
roles

3. Measure progress

>

collect and share with the New Zealand Law Society examples of
practical approaches to gender equality and inclusion that make a real
difference

>

report on progress against charter commitments every two years to the
New Zealand Law Society.

Notes
Charter signatories have two years to meet commitments.
Key staff: staff within an organisation who are responsible for the recruitment, retention and
promotion of lawyers.
Senior legal roles: equity partners and directors in law firms, general counsel or chief legal
advisers in the in-house profession.

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Appendix Two – Actions Taken by Russell
McVeagh Over the Last Few Years

Actions taken over the last few years
This document details some of the initiatives Russell McVeagh
has put in place over the last few years.
1.

Updated 'Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy' and 'Anti bullying and
Harassment Policy' with revamped anti bullying and harassment contact
people who are selected from across all roles in the firm. (April 2016)

2.

New diversity and inclusion working group as a way of giving staff a voice
including a regular newsletter and an annual report. (First meeting June 2016
and first newsletter October 2016)

3.

Both regular practice group sessions and regular firm-wide updates covering
anti bullying and harassment, speaking out and diversity initiatives and
policies. (Various 2016)

4.

Launch of unconscious bias programme for recruitment and HR team, senior
managers and partnership. (First module on March 2016 and then July 2016)

5.

A partner leadership programme for the entire partnership. (Commenced
March 2016)

6.

Launch of 'Inspirational Speakers Programme', as a way of encouraging
diversity of thought. (March 2016 and ongoing)

7.

Rainbow Tick accreditation plus Rainbow training for staff and new joiners,
hosting our first external facing Rainbow event and plus hosting a Rainbow
Tick Breakfast. (Accredited in June 2016 and re-accredited in March 2018)

8.

Alliance Partnership with Diversity Works. (March 2016 and ongoing)

9.

Becoming a supporting partner of Global Women and became a Champion for
Change partner. (May 2015 and ongoing) Committed to the Diversity

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Reporting Framework which requires us to provide our gender and cultural
stats and be held accountable for them. (March 2017)
10. Hosting, sponsoring, supporting and initiating a number of events which
support women ie including hosting a Diversity Group Meeting for Diversity
Works, Global Women events, Women on Boards event and sponsorship,
continuing to host and sponsor Corporate Mothers' events, Supper Clubs for
female clients, Breakfast club for junior females (in-house initiative), providing
speakers for female focused conferences such as NZLS Women in the Law
etc. (Various and ongoing)
11. Supporters of 'Gender Equitable Engagement and Instruction Policy'. (Dec
2017)
12. Large law firm "transition to work" initiative for summer clerks commencing
2018. An independent person appointed for summer clerks to contact over the
summer. (Programme set up in 2017 and due to launch in 2018)
13. Free and confidential staff counselling for staff and all on our university
programme. (Ongoing)
14. Better advertising of the support services currently available. (Ongoing)
15. Focus on responsible drinking – through activity based events for recruitment
and emphasis on host responsibility plus Alcohol & Me programme run for the
summer clerks. (Ongoing)

Further actions in relation to the firm's culture
16. Amendment of the partnership constitution to include the option of a part-time
partner and also giving parental leave.
17. Myers Briggs and Gallup profiling open to all staff across the firm as way of
supporting and understanding our differences, and encouraging diversity of
thought. (2015 and ongoing)
18. A mentoring framework. (June 2015 and ongoing)
19. Increased training for our juniors on strategies for success. (May 2015 first
pilot programme in Auckland office)
20. Cross team 'mentoring'. (Ongoing)
21. Tuputoa initiative: a Māori and Pasifika corporate pathways programme, to
introduce a Māori and Pasifika specific internship opportunity. (June 2016 and
ongoing)

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22. Specific workshops for Māori and Pasifika law student associations at the
universities. (March 2016)
23. Increased cultural and other celebrations internally ie Matariki, Diwali, Blue
September, Pink Ribbon, Suffrage Day, Hanukkah, International Women's day
etc. (2016 and ongoing)
24. Range of cultural awareness seminars for our staff, run through Arapai with
Sir Pita Sharples. (July 2016 and ongoing) Topics have included:
a. Māori and Pakeha Relations.
b. Māori Business Engagement.
c. Pronunciation workshops as part of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori
Language Week).
25. Plus also 'Working with China' workshop and active staff engagement as part
of Chinese Language Week. (Feb 2016 and ongoing)
26. Te Reo lessons for staff. Launched in WGN to begin with a view to rolling
them out in AKL. (March 2017)
27. Signed up to Working Mothers Connect. (June 2017)
28. UN WEPS signatory. (October 2017)

Further actions in relation to staff well-being
29. Increased opportunities for flexible working (ongoing and requiring a real
cultural shift with the firm). Launch of new flexible working technology in late
2016 along with a smartphone allowance.
30. New wellness and physical activity subsidy. (June 2017)
31. New training and support for those returning from maternity leave. (April 2015)
32. Annual 'RU Okay' week with a focus on mental and physical well-being
including a range of speakers and other firm sponsored events. (Ongoing)
33. 'Catch up time'. (May 2015)
34. Refit of the wellness/parents room. (October 2017)
35. New parental leave policy with up to 18 weeks paid leave for all staff. (October
2016)
36. Sponsoring Mike King and Harold Hillman sessions at the universities. (2016
and 2017 respectively)

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Further actions in relation to the Corporate Social Responsibility
37. Gender pay equity reporting. (Ongoing)
38. Increased staff-led sustainability initiatives including Sustainability Week etc.
(2016 and ongoing)
39. Increased efforts in the pro bono and community space, in particular in the
Rainbow area ie Rainbow Youth, Sustainable Coastlines and Voicing Pride
are new pro bono clients. (2017)
40. Staff 'charity days'. (June 2015 and ongoing)
41. Corporate Social Responsibility Report – as a way of benchmarking ourselves
and sharing our story with our clients and external stakeholders. (April 2017)

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