There are concerns lawyers at large law firms aren't receiving adequate disciplinary action for bad behaviour because the body which has the power to discipline them, also collects the revenue from practising certificates.

This follows an investigation which confirmed a partner at Russell McVeagh made inappropriate comments while he was drunk.

The man has apologised and resigned without any disciplinary action or censure. 

Former lawyer Olivia Wensley told Tim Dower in other countries, regulating bodies are separate to the administrative function.

She is accusing the Law Society of failing to censure bad behaviour because it still wants to collect revenue from practising certificates and continuing education courses.

"So they are receiving big money, from these big firms so there's absolutely no reason for them to punish them because they could end up losing some of this revenue."

She said partners in big firms are often just moved around when they misbehave.

"It is typical of partners in these big firms, they just get moved along, it just gets swept under the carpet, they move on, they go practice at the bar, or they go to another firm and no one faces any repercussions."

"They are never named, they are never fined, they are never censured, they get away with it basically," she said.

Wensley said the Law Society has been 'failing women' in the legal industry.

"They have not actually been taking action against these men. They are aware of many incidents which are inappropriate but they continue to give these men certificates which say they are a fit and proper person."

She is calling on the Law Society to take action.

"To date, not a single person has been censured or fined."

"In Australia when a law firm has offending happen within their workplace, that firm faces disciplinary actions."

LISTEN ABOVE AS OLIVIA WENSLEY SPEAKS WITH TIM DOWER