The Society of Otago University Law Students (SOULS) have announced that they will resume their relationship with law firm Russell McVeagh. SOULS cut ties with the firm back in 2018 after multiple students - including one from Otago - raised allegations of sexual harassment.
The decision came after SOULS released a survey in March which allowed students to anonymously air their concerns and vote on whether they wanted anything to do with Russell McVeagh. In an announcement, SOULS said that “while some students did express concerns, the overwhelming student response was in favour of re-establishing a relationship with the firm.” They reassured that “all student concerns expressed via the survey were considered.”
Prior to the survey, SOULS hosted a morning tea with firm representatives “so that students could ask questions.” The morning tea included an anonymous questionnaire as students were apparently afraid that it would negatively bias them if they applied to Russell McVeagh in the future.
Critic Te Ārohi was present at the March morning tea, where one of the representatives said that they “recognise really bad things happened” but were “taking steps.” According to Russell McVeagh, they “have changed” and are “committed to continuous improvements” (also seen in drunk texts from your ex). The representative also pointed out that it is a “structural issue” across the whole legal practice and they are “never going to be perfect.”
Third-year law student Jess* told Critic Te Ārohi that she thought SOULs’ decision “makes sense.” Jess pointed out that other big law firms are not much better than Russell McVeagh but were not exposed and forced to change. “It means virtually nothing to keep ties cut [with Russell McVeagh] while maintaining ties with the likes of Bell Gully, except optics,” said Jess. She added that “if [SOULS] wanted to cut ties with all big law [firms] in favour of supporting small firms only, I would actually really support that”.
The announcement came with the caveat that SOULS will “only accept sponsorship for events excluding alcohol.” In other words, Russell McVeagh has been put on probation.
SOULS declined to comment at this stage.
*Name changed.