Jacque Lethbridge

Law Society president Jacque Lethbridge has resigned after a critical culture review found she behaved in a way which some employees experienced as ...

I look forward to fully participating in it." Speaking generally, Allan said: "Bullying and harassment is never acceptable, ever. I would like to thank my firm and colleagues for their steadfast support during what can only be described as a challenging time." This review will be undertaken by Mike Heron QC." "I wish to make it plain that I am the person being referred to in that statement and that I deny the concerns raised. "In response to a media report, the Law Society issued a statement confirming that no complaints of bullying or harassment had been received, noting that some behaviour concerns had been raised. The statement said it was important that every New Zealander had trust and confidence in the society as a regulator and as advocate for the legal profession. She also said she fully backed an independent "culture review" of the organisation that had been launched in response to the accusations, "including those raised directly by me". "While Mr Heron found that the president was genuinely well motivated and did not intend the consequences that occurred, the behaviour was inappropriate and described as unreasonable for a person in the position of president." In a statement this afternoon, society vice president David Campbell said the report was commissioned "against a backdrop of a breakdown in the relationship between the president and the then chief executive of the Law Society". Lethbridge - who took a leave of absence from the role in August - issued a statement saying she acknowledged the findings and that her genuine motivation had been to make a difference in the role of president and achieve her goals. "In the short time I was in the role of president, I did the very best I could in that particular environment to achieve those goals.

President of the Law Society Jacque Lethbridge has resigned after a review found she behaved in a manner which some employees experienced as aggressive and ...

The Law Society's handling of the issues was also called into question. At the time, then-President And those articles are free. At the time, the society said no complaints of bullying or harassment were made against Lethbridge. Lethbridge took over as president in early April. The current term will expire in April 2023. [one-third of women lawyers had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/104316785/widespread-harassment-bullying-and-racism-identified-within-the-law-profession) – yet the Law Society had only ever held one offender to account. [a year after the organisation – which regulates lawyers – launched new rules](https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/news/law-society-statements/new-rules-governing-lawyers-behaviour-from-1-july/) to tackle a culture of bullying and harassment in the profession. [allegations of sexual misconduct in law firms –](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/125563593/law-firm-russell-mcveagh-should-face-sanctions-not-just-its-former-partner-says-womens-advocate) [ most notably at law firm Russell McVeagh](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/125563593/law-firm-russell-mcveagh-should-face-sanctions-not-just-its-former-partner-says-womens-advocate). The Law Society is the national regulator of the legal profession and its 15,000 lawyers, and is governed by a president, an executive board and a council. In a statement, Lethbridge said she was motivated to make a difference in her role and aimed to champion the interests of the legal profession. President of the Law Society Jacque Lethbridge has resigned after a review found she behaved in a manner which some employees experienced as aggressive and irrational.