Dear Members and Friends,
Please see below for upcoming events and those in the planning, and other news that may be of interest.
Our Awards Sponsorships sold out early last year so we would encourage you to confirm as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Nominations close 31 May.
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 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.
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!
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‘100 Years – Where to now?’
5.30pm Thursday 4 April 2019
The Newcastle Club, 40 Newcomen Street, Newcastle
Please note dress code and etiquette at the Club- http://www.newcastleclub.com.au/122)
This year marks 101 years since the Women’s Legal Status Act 1918 (NSW) was passed, enabling women to practise law and stand for parliament. During the Centenary last year, a number of events including the ‘First 100 Years’ project celebrated this milestone. We reflect on where we have been and what the future may hold for women in law.
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(Pictured: In 1924 Marie Byles became the first woman allowed to practise law in New South Wales. Told she could only work as a law clerk, she triumphed over the patriarchal legal profession and a society that viewed women as second-class by establishing a successful practice. As legal advisor for women's organisations in the 1930s she helped change legislation that discriminated against women's rights in marriage and divorce - most cruelly, in the guardianship of their own children. Marie was also a committed conservationist, pacifist, mountaineer, explorer and avid bushwalker, feminist, journalist, and an original member of the Buddhist Society in New South Wales. She was also a travel and non-fiction writer.)
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Please join us and our panel of trailblazing women, some from our pioneering days and others that are forging future directions:
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– Jann Gardner, previous Managing Partner of Sparke Helmore Newcastle with over 25 years experience as a litigation lawyer; Chair of Hunter United Credit Union; Consultant and a Director of various organisations and serves on a number of committees.
– Lyn McLardy was Newcastle’s first woman lawyer and was the first woman member of Newcastle Law Society, serving on their committee for a number of years.
– Professor Lisa Toohey, Newcastle Law School. With extensive international experience and impressive academic career, researches and teaches in international trade law and dispute resolution.
– Laura Hails, General Counsel & Company Secretary, Hunter Water Corporation. With extensive experience in private practice and in-house roles within the Hunter, specialising in the construction, transport and infrastructure sectors.
MC & Moderator: Suzie Leask, Associate Director at Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors, and committee member of the Newcastle Chapter of the Women Lawyers Association of NSW
Members $25pp / Guests & Non-Members $35pp (includes refreshments )
All welcome including males and non-lawyers.
Please click here for the flyer and registration form with further details; book online.
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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
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Tax lawyers wanted for Small Business Concierge Service
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is seeking specialised small business tax lawyers to work with small business owners seeking to challenge ATO decisions through the AAT.
Through the ASBFEO, unrepresented small businesses will have access to a list of small business tax lawyers. The relationship will reflect normal lawyer-client retainer services, with the Commonwealth Government providing a co-payment for up to two hours of legal advice.
More information https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/assistance/concierge-service
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Invitation to participate in Project investigating obstacles for women in law now compared to earlier generations, Elena Carrozzi, Year 12 Student
The focus of her project is to compare the experiences of female lawyers "from different generations" hence the criteria of female lawyers who have been practicing for 20 to 30 years and those within their first couple of years of practice (less than 5 years). She would like to show that the obstacles faced by female lawyers in the prior generations are no longer obstacles for female lawyers today.
She is also keen to speak to female lawyers in between those two groups to see how things were changing. The project is not due until August, but she would like to finish all the interviews and data-gathering via surveys by April. She is free to speak on the phone or meet in person after 3.30pm on weekdays and during the day on weekends.
The links to her survey are:
Females with up to 5 years legal experience;
Females with 10+ years legal experience.
More about Elena …..
My name is Isabella - Elena Carrozzi, and I am currently in Year 12 and completing my HSC. For one of my subjects, Society and Culture, I am required to undertake a personal interest project, in which I have chosen to investigate the gender gap and hierarchy disparity for women within the legal profession.
I was wondering if there were any females within the Women Lawyers Association that would be willing to partake in a short survey through email, and perhaps any females who I would have the honour of interviewing and thus utilising in my studies. I completely understand their busy schedule, therefore if it is not possible to arrange a face-to-face interview, perhaps a phone call or email interview may be more suitable.
My cross-cultural comparison is women with 20-30 years experience in the legal profession, compared to lawyers within their first couple of years of legal practice.
I would like to express my thanks in your support and help in advance. You can contact me through email: isabella.elena@bigpond.com Or alternatively via phone call: 0459 839 600
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