As Her Excellency said on the night: “It is a trite observation that at the time there were few women in the law and minimal opportunities for those few women to share their knowledge and experiences with each other and to provide and receive the encouragement, camaraderie and collegiality that comes from interacting with one’s professional peers,” she said.

“Today, the association is consulted by the government, the courts and other sections of the communities on issues that affect women and children and which thus impact on society generally. The association continues its research work, makes submissions and publishes reports on matters that so stubbornly remain issues, including discrimination, the status of women in the legal profession, workplace gender equality, equal pay.

“The aims and objectives of WLANSW as set out in the constitution in 1952 have not changed much in the 70 years since our creation. We remain focused on providing a common meeting ground for women lawyers and to foster the growth of collegiality among women lawyers, and continue to advocate for law reform and the advancement of women in the legal profession and community, more generally.”

The association’s 2020/2021 Report found that the leadership of law firms continues to be dominated by men. Whilst women’s position within the legal profession is improving – change is still too slow, Her Excellency added.  

“It is up to the profession to adapt and accommodate the needs of its members and not continue, at a functional level, to exclude women from all available areas of practice. We must be a profession where all lawyers do ‘the good work’ and all lawyers have professional non-discriminatory earnings,” she said.

“The impact of research such as this by the association cannot be understated. I have been saying for years that we need solid data to demonstrate where inequality remains and where improvements must be made. The work of the association in this respect has been of huge significance.”

Hear from some of our winners with interviews compliments of Award Sponsor, LawCPD: 
Rebecca Hegarty, Mentor of the Year; Carly Stebbing, Change Maker of the Year; 
Lehana De Silva , Community Lawyer of the Year.

Please visit our Awards page for further videos and acceptance speeches from some of our winners and highly commended.

Many thanks to our Award & Gala Dinner Sponsors:

Membership and Benefits

Membership fees continue to offer great value, with Corporate membership categories offering substantial discounts to law firms, chambers and other organisations to extend the benefits of membership to all staff in NSW. Please note that half year rates apply as of the 1st January 2022.

Join us in representing women lawyers and the wider profession, as we have for over 70 years. We will continue to provide leadership in matters affecting women and the legal profession, by driving and advocating for change.

You may join/renew online or download the Membership Application/Renewal form.

Should you have any queries or need to check your membership status, please contact our office at executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR

WLANSW

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For more information contact us:

Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW Inc. PO Box R1120 Royal Exchange, NSW 1225

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executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au

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