The Law Society, which released details of the fine on Tuesday, would not reveal the identity of the partner, nor the firm.

A law firm partner has been fined $12,500 for sexually harassing two staff but his identity will remain a secret.

The Law Society, which released details of the fine on Tuesday, would not reveal the identity of the partner, nor the firm.

But the ruling, from the lawyers standards committee, confirmed the partner sexually harassed two of the firm's employees at company social events.

As a result, he was removed from his partnership and later resigned.

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The committee found his actions amounted to unsatisfactory conduct, censured him, fined him $12,500, and ordered him to pay $2500 costs.

But it stopped short of a charge of misconduct, partly because the partner had taken responsibility, and had taken steps to prevent repeat behaviour including seeing a mental health specialist.

"Ensuring fairness to all involved and a full investigation takes time," Law Society acting regulatory general manager Neil Mallon said.

The $12,500 fine was 80 per cent of the maximum the standards committee could impose, he said.

The censure would remain on the lawyer's disciplinary record throughout his career and was a serious sanction.

The harassed employees were satisfied with the way the firm dealt with the matter and the lawyer had no prior disciplinary history with the Law Society, a Law Society statement said.

Former lawyer Olivia Wensley, a vocal proponent for change in the legal profession, said it was good to see the Law Society "finally" holding someone to account.

"[But] the punishment is laughable and quite frankly, pathetic."

The maximum-possible fine of $15,000 under current rules was a "joke" compared to the six or seven-figure salaries partners could earn, she said.

"It isn't punitive and certainly not a deterrent. It is a slap on the wrist with a wet bus ticket. The current system is woefully inadequate and needs to be changed urgently."

She called on the Law Society to name the perpetrator, as it had named other sanctioned lawyers.

"'Name and shame' would be a much better punishment than any monetary amount," she said.