This highly-acclaimed forum promises to foster discussions about how women are making history in the legal profession and how they are determined to shatter the glass ceiling. The event is aimed at gathering like-minded women in the legal profession, as well as in-house counsel, private practice lawyers, and from the bar and judiciary.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into strategies that could fuel progression, push boundaries, and champion equality for women in the legal profession.

Australian political journalist, commentator, and the ABC’s chief online political writer Annabel Crabb will assume emcee duties and kick off with a keynote address.

The jam-packed event includes several panel sessions by distinguished legal professionals, fierce advocates, and passionate activities, who will delve into how to bridge the gender gap in legal practice and how to forge a path towards improved support systems and workplaces for future generations, and effective allyship.

The forum will address the gender pay gap, the barriers hindering women’s progress in leadership roles, the impact on their financial security into retirement, and how law firms could actively contribute to closing the pay gap and providing employment and leadership opportunities to secure the financial wellbeing of women.

Another panel session will unpack the impact of the Respect@Work laws on workplace culture, strategies for supporting women in regional, rural, and remote positions, and how firms can bring male and non-binary lawyers on the journey as champions of change for their female colleagues.

One panel session will be dedicated to navigating women’s health issues and wellbeing and cultivating a supportive workplace. Speakers will outline how women’s health issues, such as menopause, neurodiversity, and endometriosis, could impact their work lives and how women in leadership positions could adopt progressive policies to accommodate diverse needs.

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The conference will explore how lawyers could effectively serve clients from diverse cultural backgrounds by understanding cultural nuances, undergoing education and training, becoming empathetic, and eliminating biased racial views.

While one of the sessions will shine a light on women in legal start-ups – including success stories and best practices from women-led start-ups – another session will offer strategies on how lawyers could balance their careers and families and what flexible working and parental leave policies law firms could offer to support a successful career and family life balance.

The Women in Law Forum will conclude with a power panel session on how to empower the next generation of women in law. Attendees will discover why self-advocacy is crucial, tailored mentorship programs, tips for how to network effectively to build strong professional connections and unlock new opportunities, and other strategies for success.

The forum will benefit anyone seeking to expand their network and connect with the legal profession, and striving to contribute to the collective voice to effect permanent change in the profession.

LEAP chief executive Donna Broadley commented on the legal practice management software company’s partnership with the forum, stating: “At LEAP, we are committed to supporting a more equitable and inclusive legal profession. As we continue our diversity partnership with Lawyers Weekly, LEAP is proud to see the Women in Law Forum thrive as a place for women in law to come together and share challenges and solutions.

“At LEAP, we know diversity starts at the top – in fact, eight out of 10 of our executives are women. We are also actively involved in initiatives like WALTA, on which I serve as an executive member to advance women in legal technology.”

Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy added: “We are thrilled to be hosting the Women in Law Forum once more.”

“Last year’s event was a roaring success and a testament to the energy and motivation amongst all female legal professionals to drive and inspire positive change in the profession,” he reflected.

“This year, we want to push the envelope even further – there remains much work to be done if we, as a profession, are to attain equity across the board in law.”

“We look forward to seeing you there,” Mr Doraisamy concluded.

The Women in Law Forum will take place on Thursday, 23 November 2023, at Crown Melbourne.

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For more information, including agenda and speakers, click here.