An independent review by Dame Margaret Bazley into allegations of inappropriate behaviour at the law firm Russell McVeagh was released yesterday.
Dame Margaret found "appalling behaviour" such as bullying was limited to particular pockets within the firm, which employs more than 350 people in its Auckland and Wellington offices, and said "decisive steps" needed to be taken to stamp out such behaviour.
Dame Margaret made no finding whether claims of sexual harassment and assault were proven, but said Russell McVeagh handled the incidents poorly and that failure had serious consequences for the people involved.
Otago Women Lawyers' Society (Owls) convener Shayne Milne said Dame Margaret's findings were dreadful.
"The fact that young women in our profession have been subjected to this type of behaviour is categorically unacceptable and Owls condemns any form of discrimination or harassment against women in the strongest way possible," Ms Milne said.
The culture of the legal profession had to change if it was leaving women open to such behaviour, she said.
"These results are deeply concerning and Owls is committed to continuing to promote the advancement of women in the legal profession in the most proactive way possible," she said.
"It is timely for the entire profession to reflect on these findings and implement initiatives which ensure prevention of harassment against women."
Dame Margaret found a "work hard, play hard" culture at Russell McVeagh had led to "crude, drunken and sexually inappropriate behaviour".
The firm's response was inadequate and revealed failings in its governance, structure, management, policies, standards and systems, she said.
Dame Margaret took an opportunity to make recommendations aimed at the whole legal profession.
Those included that the profession ensures a strong regulatory regime exists to deal with sexually inappropriate behaviour, that Russell McVeagh and other law firms work with the Law Society to address issues raised in the report, and that universities advocate for, and model, excellence in standards of behaviour for the legal profession.
University of Otago dean of law Jessica Palmer said she needed to read and consider the report before commenting.
Law Society president Kathryn Beck said the Bazley report highlighted the urgent need for cultural reform across the legal profession.
"There is nothing to suggest that the issues that have been documented in this report have not occurred elsewhere - the structures, cultures and work practices are common across the profession," Ms Beck said.
"Every lawyer in New Zealand must now commit to turning this around and building a just culture that we can all be proud of and which the public of New Zealand expect."
