‘Gender diversity at a leadership level is critical for the future of the law’

Lawyers Weekly 18 July 2022 •By Lauren Croft Whilst more women are being given leadership pathways within the profession, there are still systematic changes that need to be addressed, said these … Read Full Story
‘Discrimination is difficult to remove where it is hidden from view’: Legal bodies react to NSW profile of solicitors

Lawyers Weekly 06 July 2022 •By Lauren Croft More work is needed – both within the profession and in legislative changes – to fight discrimination and the gender pay gap in … Read Full Story
Sexual Harassment Reporting Platform

Report Sexual Harassment to the Office of the NSW Legal Services Commissioner The Law Society of New South Wales (the Law Society) and the New South Wales Bar Association (the … Read Full Story
2020/2021 Law Firm Comparison Report

The 2020/2021 Report shows that leadership of law firms is remaining male dominated, despite women making up more than half the profession (and over half of law graduates for many … Read Full Story
‘In law, your sexuality is used as a weapon against you’

Some great profiles of women lawyers in this article including some of our local members. “There are more women than men studying law every year, but the road to the … Read Full Story
Governor of NSW – Invitation to Webinar: ‘Perspectives of Women on Boards in India Australia’

The Centre for India Australia Studies (CIAS) warmly invites you to a webinar: ‘Perspectives of Women on Boards in India and Australia’ with an amazing list of speakers including the Governor of New … Read Full Story
First female Director of NSW Department of Public Prosecutions

On 12 August 2021 history has been made when leading criminal silk, Sally Dowling SC, was appointed by Attorney General Mark Speakman to be the state’s next Director of Public … Read Full Story
A guide to having a baby, taking leave and returning to work

By Courtney Robertson and Alexandra Grayson Lawyers Weekly 04 March 2021 Thinking about having a baby? This is what you need to know about your rights and as a legal … Read Full Story
This IWD, let’s give our urgent and undivided attention to this issue

By Courtney Robertson, Rebecca Haynes and Alexandra Grayson Lawyers Weekly 07 March 2021 International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and naturally, it also … Read Full Story
Asian Australian Lawyers Tackle Unconscious Cultural Bias in 2021

PRESS RELEASE Asian Australian Lawyers Association NSW Branch Asian Australian Lawyers Tackle Unconscious Cultural Bias in 2021 9 March 2021 The Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) NSW Branch in partnership … Read Full Story
WLANSW Submission to LCA Draft National Action Plan to Reduce Sexual Harassment
Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales (WLANSW) has had the opportunity to consider the Law Council’s draft National Action Plan to Reduce Sexual Harassment in the Australian Legal Profession … Read Full Story
WLANSW statement on the Federal Government’s response to Respect@Work report and 2020-21 Federal Budget

On 8 October, the Federal Government released its 2020 Women’s Economic Security Statement,[1] which sets out five priorities: To repair and rebuild women’s workforce participation and further close the gender … Read Full Story
Spotlight on women in the Equality before the Law Bench Book

The Judicial Commission of NSW published a new chapter on “Women” in the Equality before the Law Bench Book. President of the Women Lawyers Association NSW, Larissa Andelman, reviews the … Read Full Story
Active Bystander Summary

NSW Young Lawyers sexual harassment bystander training On 11 August 2020, NSW Young Lawyers in conjunction with Women Lawyers Association NSW, hosted a sexual harassment bystander intervention training session. The dedication … Read Full Story
Pertinent lessons for lawyers from AOC

By Larissa Andelman, 27 July 2020 Lawyers Weekly When good men remain silent, their conduct enables others to abuse and degrade women without impunity, writes Larissa Andelman. Early last week, … Read Full Story
Women lawyers seek measures to deter and eliminate sexual harassment

The recent Dyson Heydon allegations are shocking and highlight the devastating impacts of sexual harassment and bullying in the legal profession. We commend the women who came forward and acknowledge … Read Full Story
Legal sector’s slow march to equality hits reverse

The slow march to equality has gone backwards for women in corporate law firms after a slump in the rate of women being promoted to partner.
Gender divide stark on part-time work at law firms

Almost a quarter of female law firm partners work part-time but men are reluctant to work flexibly or take parental leave because of “cultural and structural barriers” in the profession. … Read Full Story
Making Diversity and Inclusion a Way of Life

The Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW on 26 March 2019 hosted a panel discussion event on mentoring diversity at King & Wood Mallesons with the Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan, … Read Full Story
Sexual harassment of women rife in Australian legal profession, survey finds

More than 70 per cent of female lawyers surveyed in NSW reported being sexually harassed, with many saying they were subject to unwelcome touching, objectification and repeated advances in the … Read Full Story
A CULTURAL CHANGE THAT WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION
The Women Lawyer’s Association of NSW has released its priorities for 2019 directed to achieving equality in the profession. Despite the predominance of women entering the profession there continues to … Read Full Story
WHY THE GENDER PAY GAP IS STILL AN ISSUE – AND HOW FLEX COULD FIX IT
The new government legislation will force employers to take action on the gender pay gap – and unlocking the job market to flexibility could be the solution, say Timewise CEOs … Read Full Story
World Leading Women in Law Firms Project
The Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLANSW) in partnership with the University of Wollongong Legal Intersections Research Centre have launched a world leading Women in Law Firms project. A pilot … Read Full Story
The perfect analogy for juggling work-life balance
Lawyers often struggle to keep all the balls in the air when juggling work demands, family, health and hobbies – but remembering what is most essential to well-being can help, … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers Call for Leadership on Diversity in 2016
The Executive Committee of the Women Lawyer’s Association of NSW (WLANSW) has adopted the theme of “Leadership” for the activities, initiatives and events of WLANSW for 2016. “On behalf of … Read Full Story
Flexibility the goal for women lawyers
FEMALE lawyers want a more flexible legal profession so they can better manage their professional and personal commitments, according to a survey of women lawyers. More than a quarter of … Read Full Story
Setting the legal zeitgeist
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has entered its 40th year with around 70 per cent of its recommendations being encoded in law. However, its influence also extends well beyond … Read Full Story
No one is going to develop your career for you
The president of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) told Lawyers Weekly that women in the legal profession should take responsibility for their own career progress. “Very often people talk about … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers Launch Theme of “Engagement” for 2015
A roundtable discussion of the new Women Lawyer’s Association of NSW (WLANSW) Executive Committee has identified the theme of “Engagement” for the activities, initiatives and events of WLANSW for this … Read Full Story
The Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLANSW) nominee, Prof Rosalind Croucher, wins inaugural Australian Women Lawyer (AWL) Award
Professor Rosalind Croucher, President of the Australian Law Reform Commission, was announced the winner of the inaugural AWL Award at a Gala Dinner held in Adelaide on 4th October at … Read Full Story
‘WLANSW supports gender reporting – this is not red tape’
WLANSW is pleased the Government has chosen to spare reporting standards under the Workplace Gender Equality Act in this round of red-tape repeal, but says that without mandated gender reporting, … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers Association recognises 11 female appointments to the Bench
On 27 February 2014, the Women Lawyers Association of NSW, the peak body representing women lawyers in NSW, celebrated the appointments of 11 women to the judiciary in a glittering … Read Full Story
Firms stiff on flexibility
The head of Women Lawyers Association of NSW (WLANSW) has claimed the profession is failing on the flexibility front after more than a quarter of female lawyers revealed that they … Read Full Story
New Survey Reveals What Women (Lawyers) Want
Survey conducted by the Women Lawyers Association of NSW reveals the two top priorities of women lawyers in 2014. The Women Lawyers Association of NSW, the peak body representing women lawyers … Read Full Story
Law Society’s advancement of women in the legal profession
The Women Lawyers’ Association of New South Wales (WLANSW) congratulates the Law Society on the publication of its progress report on the Advancement of Women project, commenced in December 2011, … Read Full Story
2013 Law Firm Comparison Data Updated by Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW
The Women Lawyers’ Association of New South Wales (WLANSW) has updated its consolidation of publicly available information about law firms and the gender profile of solicitors in these firms into … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales opposes Zoe’s Law
The Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales (WLANSW) notes with concern that the New South Wales Legislative Assembly is due to consider amendments to the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) … Read Full Story
Fathers will help end discrimination at the Bar
Sydney silk Kylie Nomchong has said the promotion of female barristers will be driven by male colleagues, partners and even judges who have daughters. Nomchong (pictured left), from Denman Chambers, … Read Full Story
‘Equality in the Legal Profession: the past, the present and the future’ Release of Career Intentions Survey Pilot Report
Women Lawyers’ Association of New South Wales (WLANSW) Patron and guest speaker, the Honourable Acting Justice Jane Mathews AO, formally launched the Career Intentions Survey Project at a cocktail event … Read Full Story
Law Firm Comparison Data Launched by Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW
The Women Lawyers’ Association of New South Wales (WLANSW) has consolidated publicly available information about law firms and the gender profile of solicitors in these firms into one readily accessible … Read Full Story
Record number of female silks appointed
The NSW Bar Association has announced the largest number of female barristers ever appointed as senior counsel on a single occasion. The NSW Bar Association has announced the largest number … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers’ Association congratulates the 12 women who have been appointed as senior counsel
The Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLANSW) congratulates the 12 women barristers on the list of 26 appointments to silk. The appointment of these women to senior counsel marks a … Read Full Story
Report highlights inequality at Bar
A report that shows that less than one in 10 silks is female has prompted a senior barrister to slam continuing discrimination against the briefing of women barristers. Australian Women … Read Full Story
Lawyers have a laugh
Laughter is a powerful tool for dissolving stress, which will improve the experience of being a lawyer, an ex-lawyer and laughter guru told a meeting of the Women Lawyers Association … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW Releases Career Survey
Pilot testing for the Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLANSW) Career Intentions Survey will commence this month, with a summary report of findings to be released later this year. Despite an … Read Full Story
Modesty holding women back
A female senior counsel told a roomful of legal dignitaries last night (18 July) that women should not be afraid to highlight their achievements when applying for senior positions. Jane … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers’ Association congratulates Nicola Roxon on her appointment as the first Australian woman Attorney-General
The Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLANSW) congratulates the Honourable Nicola Roxon MP on her appointment as the first Australian woman Attorney-General. The appointment of a woman Attorney-General marks a … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers’ Association applauds law firms named as Employers of Choice
The Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLA NSW) applauds the 98 organisations that were recognised on 6 March 2011 with the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) … Read Full Story
NSW Young Lawyers and Women Lawyers Speak in Support of 2011 Australian Young Lawyer of the Year
New South Wales Young Lawyers and the Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLA NSW) congratulates Louisa Fitz-Gerald on receiving the Australian Young Lawyer of the Year award yesterday. Louisa single-handedly … Read Full Story
Women lawyers concerned over low level of law briefs for female silks
WOMEN lawyers are concerned that only 26pc of barristers briefed by federal government agencies in the past financial year were female. The figure represents a 1.3 per cent decrease from … Read Full Story
Women Lawyers Concerned about Decrease in Briefing of Female Counsel
The Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLA NSW) says that members of the profession and the community should not be too quick to celebrate the announcement of the release of … Read Full Story