A former partner at a top New Zealand law firm who was found guilty of misconduct after groping four interns at the firm’s Christmas party will be suspended from practicing for two years from Monday.

James Gardner-Hopkins, who was at the time of the incident a partner at top-tier firm Russell McVeagh and has since been practicing as a barrister, has already suffered removal from a prestigious and lucrative partnership and a significant reputational and emotional toll, the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal said.