I’ve been in the profession for over a decade now and those sorts of comments from (usually much older) male opposing solicitors were commonplace when I started. I had to work harder and put in more hours than my male counterparts to be thought of as half as good, and to ensure I was treated with some semblance of respect from them. Time and time again they underestimated me.

Fortunately, my (often male) supervisors lived in the 21st Century and I was able to be myself within my firm. They also ensured that any opponents would treat me with the same respect they received.

I have been able to rise through the ranks at my firm, which I am proud to say boasts a board comprising of over 50 per cent women and a female partnership of 45 per cent. Women comprise of up to two-thirds of all law graduates each year, and I am proud to work for a firm that recognises and promotes the vast depth of female talent in our industry.

In today’s day and age, with the #timesup and #metoo movements, one might think people would know better than to make such offensive remarks. But unfortunately, these comments are still all too common in our profession.

We are more than our appearances and #timesup for the men who do not respect women in this industry. They and their firms must be held accountable for their abhorrent behaviour.

Their clients must not condone this behaviour and they must ensure they obtain legal services from respectful firms that do not engage in sexual harassment towards women.

Everyone in the profession deserves respect, no matter their gender. And anything less will be called out.

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Jillian Barrett is a principal at Maurice Blackburn. She is also a Queensland Law Society Personal Injury Accredited Specialist.