Dame Margaret Bazley will lead an external review into incidents of sexual harassment at law firm Russell McVeagh.
Dame Margaret has had an extensive career in the public service, and has headed inquiries including the 2007 Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct, and most recently, a review of the Wellington Rugby Football Union in 2016.
She has led a number of state sector organisations and was a member of the Waitangi Tribunal for a decade.
The scope of the review includes sexual harassment claims in the summer of 2015/2016 that have been reported by media, as well as any other claims brought to the review panel's attention.
Dame Margaret will be joined by a lawyer who is yet to be announced.
The review will consider the firm's standards and policies relating to sexual harassment, as well as the culture of the firm.
It will give advice and make recommendations to Russell McVeagh based on the findings.
Russell McVeagh senior partner Pip Greenwood admitted in a press release that incidents of sexual harassment have had "a profound effect on the women involved".
"We are all truly sorry and horrified that they occurred," she said.
"We are committed to ensuring that such incidents do not happen again. We are extremely grateful to Dame Margaret for agreeing to conduct this review.
We have been conscious, in making this appointment, to appoint a person who is truly independent as well as who has experience in such work."
The review will commence immediately, and current and former staff as well as summer clerks will be invited to participate.
Anyone who wishes to participate can phone 0800 779 779 or email ereview@rmcvexternal.com.
The report from the review will be made available to staff, clients, the NZ Law Society and New Zealand university law schools.
Newshub.
