Dear Members and Friends,
 
Following our Planning Meeting earlier this month, 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 be significant under-representation of women in the most senior roles as partners, in leadership roles, at the Bar and in the judiciary. The gender wage gap in the legal profession is one of the largest in Australia, reported to be 29.7% by WGEA in 2017 compared to an all industries gap of 22.4%.

Larissa Andelman, President of WLA NSW said: Unless there is a concerted effort to examine and change the culture in law firms, women will continue to be unable to fully participate. Click here to read the Media Release ‘A CULTURAL CHANGE THAT WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION’ and details of the 5 key measures WLANSW will be advocating on in 2019.

The launch of our ‘2019 NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards’, featuring a panel of some of our previous award winners, 5.30pm Thursday 21 February 2019 at the Union University & Schools Club Sydney, was a great success. Please click here to view the photo gallery from the event, and click here for the video.

The NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding women lawyers, mentors and firms that have achieved excellence in their area of practice and helped create opportunities for women in the law. Nominations and sponsorship opportunities, including sponsoring an award,  are now open, and we would encourage you to support our biennial Awards by nominating yourself, your firm, your mentor, or many of the other outstanding members of our legal community. Please visit out 2019 Awards page for details.

Please see below for upcoming events and those in the planning.

A reminder that if you are not yet a member, or have not renewed your membership, half year rates are now available. You can join or renew online, or download the membership form. We also have an auto renew option – just tick the appropriate box!   

We look forward to seeing you at our events and thank you for your support!

 

12.30pm Friday 8th March 2019
Palace Chinese Restaurant, Shop 38 Level 1, Piccadilly Tower, 133-145 Castlereagh St, Sydney

Please join our President, Executive and special guest, Elizabeth Evatt AC, to celebrate International Womens’ Day and raise some funds and awareness for the Miranda Project.


The Miranda Project (soon to be co-located with Penrith Women’s Health Centre) is an innovative, gender specific approach to assisting vulnerable women attending court, on community orders or exiting prison. Miranda aims to halt the increase in the women’s prison population through the provision of genuine support and the development of alternative pathways within the community.


Tickets $49pp includes set Yum Cha Banquet; purchase your own drinks.  Proceeds to the Miranda Project.
MORE INFO / BOOK TICKETS
 

Join us for a SPECIAL EVENT to celebrate International Women's Day, 
in Partnership with Women's Legal Services NSW
Harassment free workplaces: a utopian fantasy or an achievable reality?
Wednesday, 13th March, 5.30pm - 8.00pm
The Law Society, Level 2, 170 Phillip Street, Sydney

Please join us at The Law Society of NSW to hear from trailblazing women in law, Justice Ruth McColl, Ms Elizabeth Espinosa and Ms Larissa Andelman, to celebrate the significant strides we have made and to consider what more we can do to create better, harassment-free workplaces in the future.

RSVP Essential. Refreshments available. This event is free but Women's Legal Services NSW encourage voluntary tax deductible donations on the door. Please click here for further details and to register.

FLIP is going on the road to four locations around New South Wales, starting in Newcastle on 15 March, 2-6pm Newcastle CBD.  
Join Law Society President Elizabeth Espinosa and industry experts as we discuss the technological disruption facing the profession and how to future-proof your practice. 
Cost: $29 Members; Non-Member $285. Includes Presentations & Workshop, and concludes with Networking and Canapés *Each attendee will receive The Law Society's pack consisting of books and branded items, valued at over $100
REGISTER NOW: https://www.lawsociety.com.au/…/advocacy/flip/FLIP-regional…
 

26 March – WLANSW ‘Mentoring Diversity’ Panel Discussion Event with the Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan, the Hon. Justice Melissa Perry of the Federal Court of Australia, Ms. Yen Hui Tie, General Counsel of AMP Capital, and the Hon. Judge Richard Weinstein of the District Court of New South Wales, hosted by King & Wood Mallesons.
 
Friday 24 May & Friday 20 September -  The Janet Coombs Lunch for New Female Barristers hosted by WBF & WLANSW, 1-2pm at the Law Society of NSW

23 August – ‘NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards 2019’ Awards Presentation Dinner, Dockside Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour Sydney

A Well Being Weekend Retreat for Lawyers and their Associates 
Saturday 23 March 2019, 9am - Sunday 24 March 2019, 2pm
Brahma Kumaris Centre for Spiritual Learning, 186 Mt Hay Road, Leura
A weekend detox from work using meditation and discussion. Meditation is like pure oxygen for your mind. This weekend aims to facilitate the learning of stress reduction techniques and the development of clarity around work-life balance in context of the challenges of the legal services industry.

Guest Speaker: Michael Kirby AC, CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia and Honorary Professor at 12 Universities.
 
The Brahma Kumaris Centres for Spiritual Learning is run by volunteers. Retreats and activities are offered at no set cost. Contributions by the participants towards running costs is greatly appreciated. Please click here for further details & registration.

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR