29:
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217:, Kathryn Beck, said the report was an "important milestone in shining light into the dark corners of our profession" and that she hoped it would help improve the culture of New Zealand law firms. As of May 2019, the New Zealand law schools were re-evaluating whether they could resume a recruitment relationship with the firm.
212:
was engaged to lead the inquiry into the claims of sexual harassment and assault. Bazley's report was published in July 2018. She found that the firm had a "work hard, play hard" culture that involved excessive drinking and in some cases inappropriate behaviour, but that this culture had changed over
321:
Russell McVeagh has achieved high rankings in law firm ranking guides in various fields, including banking and finance, competition and antitrust, corporate and M&A,capital markets, dispute resolution, project development, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, tax, and technology, media and
489:
The law firm is on a panel of lawyers employed by the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to undertake government work, including sensitive issues such as ACC sexual abuse claims and human rights issues. backed away when questioned about whether the Government, or government
220:
In
February 2020, the firm said it had addressed the "majority" of Bazley's recommendations, including introducing a whistleblower service and a "speak-up" policy, but did not specifically comment on whether it had introduced a 10-year change implementation plan, a sexual harassment and sexual
228:
In
December 2020, CEO Jo Avenell said the firm had taken steps to address the issue of junior lawyers working long hours including by ensuring that workloads were better spread around the firm. In February 2021, the firm said it had addressed nearly 95% of Bazley's recommendations, including
241:
was a litigation partner at
Russell McVeagh from 1988 to 2005 and practised in commercial, equity and environmental litigation. He was appointed as a High Court judge in 2011, as a Court of Appeal judge in 2015, president of the Court of Appeal in 2016, and as a Supreme Court judge in 2022.
312:
In 2018, the firm was criticised for claiming on its website that it provided ongoing pro bono work for the charity Women's Refuge when its work had been limited to one-off work for a single refuge two years previously. The charity accepted the firm's explanation that this was in error.
252:
Former Court of Appeal judge Lynton
Stevens was a partner at Russell McVeagh from 1980 to 1992. He was appointed as a Queen's Counsel in 1997, as a High Court judge in 2006 and as a Court of Appeal judge in 2010. He retired in 2016 and subsequently led the inquiry into the
308:
and representing organisations like the Breast Cancer
Research Trust. In 2021, Russell McVeagh assisted RainbowYOUTH on its merger with OuterSpaces. In 2022, the firm said it had undertaken over $ 1m of pro bono hours over the last three years.
200:
In 2018 the firm was criticised in the media for its handling of sexual assault allegations, levelled against two senior male lawyers. It was alleged that those lawyers engaged in non-consensual and consensual sexual acts with female
582:
192:. Chief executive Jo Avenell said that many people were concerned about contacting unvaccinated people and that from 1 November 2021 all visitors would have to have received both vaccinations.
213:
the past couple of years. She also found failings in the firm's response to the incidents and made 48 recommendations for improvement, which were accepted by the firm. The president of the
160:(1834–1894) established a one-man practice in Auckland in 1863. Various partners joined him before he was succeeded at the firm by his son Edward Robert Nolan Russell (1869–1939) in 1893.
174:
In 1988 the firm established its
Wellington office with four founding partners. It is on the panel of lawyers who are instructed by the New Zealand government to undertake legal work.
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Russell McVeagh supports a range of different charities and organisations through pro bono work. Its work has included supporting community law centres, representing
957:
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was the senior litigation partner at
Russell McVeagh before her appointment to the High Court in 2012. She was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2022.
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became a partner and remained involved in the firm until his death in 1944. In 1969 the firm merged with McKenzie & Bartleet to become
421:
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185:, but in 2014 it was noted that this term was becoming less frequently used, with other law firms approaching them in size and scale.
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after graduating in law in 1974 was with
Russell McVeagh; he stayed until 1978 before leaving to become a politician.
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205:
students. These allegations led all the six university law schools in New
Zealand to cut ties with Russell McVeagh.
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188:
It was reported on 14 October 2021 that Russell McVeagh intended to require all staff, clients, and visitors to be
633:
557:
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214:
208:
In 2018, the firm ordered an external investigation into the allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
1423:
86:
Competition, Corporate, Employment, Finance, Litigation, Property, Resource Management, Public Law and Tax
1303:
157:
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877:
137:. It is one of New Zealand's largest law firms and is ranked highly by law firm ranking guides such as
1478:
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229:
introducing a whistleblower service and a "speak-up" policy, but some remained as works-in-progress.
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225:, convenor of the Wellington Women Lawyers' Association, said she was disappointed by the response.
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28:
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634:"Six NZ universities cut ties with law firm Russell McVeagh in wake of sexual harassment claims"
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Historically the firm was considered one of New Zealand's "Big Three" law firms, along with
723:"Bazley report: A light shines into Russell McVeagh law firm and what it shows isn't good"
533:
305:
283:
209:
171:& Co, the name it held until 2000, when it became known simply as "Russell McVeagh".
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139:
1340:"Russell McVeagh > Wellington > New Zealand | The Legal 500 law firm profiles"
667:
1240:"Russell McVeagh backtracks on claim of doing ongoing free work for Women's Refuge"
827:"Dynamic Business: Russell McVeagh CEO Jo Avenell on transforming during a crisis"
447:
366:"Russell McVeagh > Auckland > New Zealand | The Legal 500 law firm profiles"
1407:
43:
529:"Russell McVeagh shutting the door to unvaccinated staff, clients and visitors"
1448:
271:
246:
182:
134:
1162:"'If it feels good, we do it': Russell McVeagh's commitment to pro bono work"
645:
416:
277:
Rebecca Edwards, High Court judge (employed as a senior solicitor 1998–2003)
1372:
292:, High Court judge and diplomat (previously employed as a senior solicitor)
852:"Wait goes on, three years after law firm Russell McVeagh's #Metoo moment"
1403:
130:
39:
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556:
Hancock, Farah; Reid, Melanie; Borissenko, Sasha (22 February 2018).
202:
1188:"Russell McVeagh advises RainbowYOUTH on merger with OuterSpaces"
1028:
984:
Winston First: The unauthorised account of Winston Peters' career
801:"Russell McVeagh's #Metoo moment: two years on what has changed?"
1367:
118:
1376:
666:
Reid, Melanie; Murphy, Tim; Borissenko, Sasha (12 March 2018).
490:
departments, should be reviewing their use of Russell McVeagh.
274:, Olympic Gold medallist in windsurfing (employed until 2016)
1111:"Young lawyer accepted into top global management Masters"
775:"Otago law students not ready to forgive Russell McVeagh"
341:"Russell McVeagh elects new board and partnership chairs"
958:"Havelock North water inquiry head honoured with CNZM"
608:"Law interns' sexual assault complaints come to light"
280:
Sally Fitzgerald, High Court judge (partner 2007–2016)
906:"Supreme Court judge among three senior appointments"
295:
Christian Whata, High Court judge (partner 2001–2011)
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1272:"Russell McVeagh, Asia-Pacific | Chambers Profiles"
114:
106:
98:
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71:
60:
49:
35:
749:"Russell McVeagh ties to law schools re-evaluated"
668:"Bazley to head inquiry into 'sexual harassment'"
1214:"Big Law's pro bono efforts lack sophistication"
900:
898:
1238:Hunt, Tom; Macandrew, Ruby (28 February 2018).
583:"Law firm slammed: 'It was like a frat house'"
196:2018 criticism and subsequent cultural changes
94:Allison Arthur-Young (Chair), Jo Avenell (CEO)
1388:
260:The first legal job of the future politician
8:
1079:
1077:
1075:
21:
799:Hunt, Tom; Mau, Alison (14 February 2020).
773:MacManus, Joel; Mau, Alison (22 May 2019).
474:"Government has no plans to ditch law firm"
1438:
1395:
1381:
1373:
932:"Two new Court of Appeal Judges appointed"
721:Hunt, Tom; Macandrew, Ruby (5 July 2018).
129:is a New Zealand law firm with offices in
20:
1580:New Zealand companies established in 1863
1523:Financial Markets Authority (New Zealand)
694:"Independent Review of Russell McVeagh"
331:
1168:. New Zealand Law Society. 2 June 2017
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1137:"Apology to diplomat after drug raid"
1109:Schroder, Sophie (14 November 2014).
472:Cowlishaw, Shane (27 February 2018).
221:assault policy or a bullying policy.
7:
692:Bazley, Margaret (March–June 2018).
422:Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
339:So, Jacqueline (24 February 2021).
558:"Why wasn't the Law Society told?"
14:
986:p7 (1995, Random House Auckland)
825:Bennett, Bill (4 December 2020).
503:"New Zealand's biggest law firms"
427:Ministry for Culture and Heritage
286:, netballer (previously employed)
190:fully vaccinated against COVID-19
169:Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet
1544:
1543:
1508:Broadcasting Standards Authority
1055:"Where are they now: Tom Ashley"
27:
1212:Young, Victoria (7 July 2022).
1053:Berry, Josh (10 August 2014).
267:Other notable alumni include:
72:
61:
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1:
1575:Law firms established in 1863
1533:Takeovers Panel (New Zealand)
1135:Tait, Morgan (15 July 2015).
18:New Zealand national law firm
1304:"Russell McVeagh | IFLR1000"
878:"Judges | The Supreme Court"
747:McPhee, Elena (3 May 2019).
257:water contamination crisis.
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322:telecommunications (TMT).
1541:
1414:
26:
1570:Law firms of New Zealand
417:"Russell, John Benjamin"
1368:Russell McVeagh website
215:New Zealand Law Society
75: of employees
1484:MinterEllisonRuddWatts
1424:Economy of New Zealand
1192:www.russellmcveagh.com
1141:The New Zealand Herald
1059:The New Zealand Herald
936:New Zealand Government
910:New Zealand Government
831:The New Zealand Herald
638:The New Zealand Herald
245:Court of Appeal judge
119:www.russellmcveagh.com
1089:Courts of New Zealand
1085:"Judges | High Court"
882:Courts of New Zealand
395:Chambers and Partners
158:John Benjamin Russell
146:Chambers and Partners
110:John Benjamin Russell
64: of lawyers
53: of offices
1518:Electoral Commission
237:Supreme Court judge
210:Dame Margaret Bazley
83:Major practice areas
1513:Commerce Commission
23:
1419:Law of New Zealand
1218:businessdesk.co.nz
858:. 17 February 2021
614:. 15 February 2018
290:Gerard van Bohemen
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753:Otago Daily Times
612:Radio New Zealand
537:. 14 October 2021
391:"Russell McVeagh"
300:Community support
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99:Date founded
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964:. 4 January 2021
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640:. 1 March 2018.
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912:. 8 April 2022
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