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International and independent firms among best for women
The Women Lawyer Association of NSW has identified several partnership firms it says are the “best firms for women,” with Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Gilbert & Tobin all ranking as “gold firms”.
Grace Ormsby
When judging each firm, WLANSW looked at whether a firm has a female partnership percentage that is higher than the industry average (which sits at 24 per cent), and whether a firm was considered an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality in 2016 by the WGEA.
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It also considered each firm’s adoption of the Law Council’s National Model Gender Equitable Briefing Policy, as well as whether each firm has taken “tangible action to address pay equity” across nine key steps identified by the WLANSW.
Gold-rated firm Norton Rose Fulbright received its “gold” status for holding a female partnership ratio of 41 per cent, “and having undertaken nine of the nine pay equity actions that WLANSW considers will drive change.”
Corrs Chambers Westgarth was also rated highly, with a 30 per cent female partnership ratio. It had fulfilled eight out of the nine gender pay actions.
“Consistently strong performer” Gilbert + Tobin received gold status with 30 per cent female partnership and eight of nine gender pay actions in place.
Silver firms Maddocks, Ashurst and Allens varied from 25 per cent to 33 per cent female partner ratios, with all firms undertaking between six and seven pay actions.
Bronze firms included MinterEllison SA/NT and King & Wood Mallesons.
While MinterEllison reports a 35 per cent female partnership ratio, it had only completed three pay actions, and King & Wood Mallesons records 26 per cent female partner representation with six of the nine actions on pay in place.
All gold, silver and bronze status firms were classed as 2016 employers of choice for gender equality and have adopted the Law Council’s national model gender equitable briefing policy.
In a statement, the WLANSW congratulated the above-named firms “for the progress they are making, and encourages them to continue to push for progress on gender equality.”
The WLANSW also gave credit to Dentons Australia Pty Limited, DLA Piper, and Russell Kennedy for their firms’ actions on pay equity, but did signal that “lack of transparency into their ownership structures means no comparison can be performed” due to their status as incorporated practices.
