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Women Barristers Association, Maddocks team up to support parity push for female barristers
A new report from BigLaw firm Maddocks and the Women Barristers Association showcases women at the bar across Victoria, as part of the ongoing push to ensure better representation, briefing numbers and proportionate pay.
Shandel McAuliffe
The report, Lifting the Bar, showcases 56 successful female barristers and is part of an ongoing drive to boost the percentage of women briefed as barristers on legal matters.
“Together, we aim to exceed the existing Law Council target of 30 per cent of briefs to women barristers and, ultimately, to achieve true equity in briefing practices.”
As recently reported by Lawyers Weekly, women barristers across the country are now receiving over 30 per cent of briefs given to those at the bar.
The report by the Women Barristers Association and Maddocks, winner of the Government Team of the Year category at the 2021 Australian Law Awards, highlights stories of barristers with varying seniority, from women who’ve achieved senior counsel/Queen’s counsel, to those with eight-plus years’ experience, and women with seven years or less of experience. The comprehensive report includes stories that will inspire both current and future female leaders in the industry.
Claire Harris QC, who has a keen interest in human rights, shares her experience working on a case about Victoria’s mental health system. Jenny Firkin QC comments that her firm is seeing more sexual harassment claims in the market. And Juliet Forsyth QC shares an amusing anecdote about her hen laying an egg, very noisily, during an online hearing.
According to the report, it “profiles and celebrates the achievements of the many amazing female barristers in Victoria, from both a professional and personal perspective”.
Lifting the Bar also includes an interview with Renee Enbom QC, with mention of her case representing Rebel Wilson; Louise Martin’s case calling for landlords to be held to higher standards; and Nawaar Hassan, who describes how her love of mooting led to her career as a barrister.
More stories will be added to the report, with the current edition stating: “Over the coming months, we hope to expand and update the publication to feature many more inspiring women barristers.”
Earlier this week, Lawyers Weekly spoke with three barristers about the next set of challenges in ensuring parity for women at the bar.
