Tribunal acknowledges lawyer's rehabilitation efforts in reducing suspension
A senior lawyer in New Zealand has been suspended from legal practice for 15 months due to his alcohol-induced inappropriate behaviour at work functions.
The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal found his conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, warranting a substantial sanction, but also acknowledged the practitioner's rehabilitation as a key mitigating factor.
The case stems from two separate social functions hosted by the lawyer's firm, where he exhibited drunken and inappropriate behaviour towards junior staff members.
His actions included shouted remarks, inappropriate references to genitalia and sexual preferences of colleagues, as well as unwelcome physical intrusions.
One of the junior employees later sought compensation due to the distress and anxiety caused by the incidents.
The tribunal described the conduct as invasive, humiliating, and sexually suggestive.
"We find the conduct to be serious misconduct, which, in the absence of other factors, would lead to a lengthy period of suspension," it said in the decision.
It accepted, however, that the practitioner was not behaving in a strictly sexual or predatory manner, but his conduct had sexual elements to it.
"Had the predatory component been present, we would have regarded this conduct at the highest level of misconduct and thereby justifying consideration of...
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