Law society backs president after her legal taskforce appointment draws criticism

Friday, 28 September 2018

The New Zealand Law Society is supporting the appointment of Kathryn Beck as the Culture Change Taskforce chair.

The controversial decision to appoint Kathryn Beck as the head of a taskforce into the legal profession is being defended.

The Law Society president's appointment as the chair of a new taskforce set up to drive culture change within the legal community drew criticism, with some saying it was a backwards step.

However, in a statement released on Friday, the NZ Law Society backed the appointment and said she was the right person to address issues in the profession.

The society has been under pressure for the past few months for its handling of sexual harassment issues in the wake of the Russell McVeagh revelations, in which four summer interns claimed serious sexual misconduct on the part of senior lawyers.

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Former lawyer Olivia Wensley said Kathryn Beck's appointment as taskforce chair was 'disappointing'.

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A subsequent survey of all registered lawyers found a third of female lawyers and 14 per cent of male lawyers said they had been sexually harassed at work.

The Culture Change Taskforce was set up after Dame Margaret Bazley's report into inappropriate sexual behaviour at law firm Russell McVeagh was released earlier this year.

Former lawyer Olivia Wensley - a vocal proponent for change in law - said Beck's appointment as taskforce chair was 'disappointing'.

'She is not the right person, as from the outset she has attempted to minimise and deflect the seriousness of the situation,' Wensley said.

'There are two men still practicing after being accused of rape and sexual harassment at [Russell McVeagh] more than two years ago.

'Kathryn Beck's Law Society gave them a certificate in June which states they are a 'fit and proper person'. It's obscene.'

But a statement released by the NZ Law Society said it fully supported Beck and acknowledged the criticism surrounding her new role.

'The Law Society acknowledges the right of those critics to share their opinions,' it said.

'However, it is certain that Ms Beck is the right person to lead this important initiative, which will produce practical and enduring solutions to address the major cultural issues within the legal community.'

Beck had provided strong leadership at a time when the profession received internal and external scrutiny over its culture and direction, it said.

'From addressing the law students at each law school to regular meetings with lawyer and community groups, government agencies and the Minister of Justice, Ms Beck has been a tireless advocate and spokesperson for the Law Society's determination to build a healthy, safe, respectful and inclusive culture across the legal community,' it said.

Beck has past experience as an employment lawyer in tackling organisational and cultural change, the statement said.

'She has chaired NZ Rugby's Respect and Responsibility review panel and, currently, the Advisory Panel. As a mediator and facilitator she has conducted independent investigations for large companies, charitable institutions, trust boards, tertiary institutions and government departments.'

Sixteen members have been chosen to be part of the taskforce for an initial three-year term.