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Job-sharing GCs push back on ceiling for part-time lawyers
In years gone by, making partner or becoming general counsel was “almost unheard of” for women working part-time. However, the co-GCs of one organisation are demonstrating how long-established modes of working can be disrupted.
Jerome Doraisamy
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“The elephant in the room,” said Tala Prowd, “is that there are very limited career progression opportunities for part-time lawyers”.
“It is almost unheard of for a woman to make partner at a law firm or general counsel if they work in a part-time capacity. If you’re part-time, there’s a ceiling,” she said.
She and Helena Kolenbet (both pictured) are pushing through this ceiling, having been appointed as co-general counsel at not-for-profit community service provider Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ).
The job-sharing arrangement, WMQ submitted, advances gender equity and promotes work/life balance in “the historically inflexible and competitive legal sector”.
The implementation of co-GCs, the provider continued, is a recognition that traditional modes of working need disruption.
The floating or implementation of job-sharing arrangements is slowly creeping into mainstream discourse. In April of this year, Lucy Bradlow and Bronwen Bock launched a job-sharing candidacy for the federal seat of Higgins at the upcoming election, set to be held sometime before May 2025.
Both Prowd and Kolenbet have worked at WMQ since early 2024 and formerly served at LOD as senior legal counsel. Between them, they have over 30 years of legal experience.
The co-GC collaboration, the provider underscored, “demonstrates the value of flexibility in high-responsibility roles, providing continuous legal support and a diverse range of expertise”, and benefits not just WMQ but also sets a precedent for other organisations.
“Wesley Mission Queensland’s openness to our job-share idea was refreshing and forward-thinking. They saw the benefits straight away and supported us wholeheartedly. We hope our success story encourages more organisations to adopt similar flexible arrangements,” said Kolenbet.
Prowd said: “Truth be known, I thought my career aspirations were limited after becoming a mother and only being able to work a three-day week.”
“Organisations are starting to realise there is a huge talent pool of women they can tap into if they update their practices, not only giving them a competitive advantage, but becoming an employer of choice.”
The pair have served as co-GCs for a few months now, and the feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive”, WMQ said.
Kolenbet said: “I really take my hat off to the leaders at Wesley Mission Queensland for thinking outside the box and championing its people.”
Prowd said: “WMQ is an inclusive and forward-thinking organisation – I’m really proud to work here. This job-sharing arrangement allows us to make our own professional dreams come true and truly exemplifies the future of flexible work in high-responsibility roles.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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