New Zealand: Controversial Law Society president during Russell McVeagh scandal now a judge

Stuff NZ reports…

Kathryn Beck, the controversial figure who headed the Law Society through its darkest days, has been made a judge.

Attorney-General David Parker has appointed Beck as an Employment Court judge. She will be sworn in on August 7 in Auckland.

Beck led the Law Society through its most turbulent times as the #MeToo movement hit New Zealand, with sexual misconduct claims from female interns, most notoriously at law firm Russell McVeagh.

“Attorney-General David Parker was aware that Kathryn Beck, as then-president of the Law Society, was involved in the Russell McVeagh issues and the steps the society took in that regard,” a statement from Parker’s office said.

But #Metoo advocate Olivia Wensley believes Beck let down vulnerable young lawyers in her handling of sexual harassment and bullying claims, and it was disappointing she was now going to be judging more people in vulnerable positions.

Wensley said in her opinion Beck had a chance to change the profession for the better during her time at the Law Society but failed, Wensley said.

“She worked against the victims rather than with [them].”

Read full article at  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/121913006/controversial-law-society-president-during-russell-mcveagh-scandal-now-a-judge