The Adelaide-based law firm is helping raise the bar for gender equity by attaining a majority of female partners in its leadership team.
DBH Lawyers has reached a significant milestone in gender representation within its leadership team, with female partners now outnumbering their male counterparts for the first time in the firm’s history.
This milestone follows the recent appointment of Catherine Livesey (pictured) to the partnership at the Adelaide-based firm – an addition that DBH Lawyers said reflects its “ongoing commitment to gender equity and professional excellence”.
Livesey brings more than a decade of experience specialising in medical negligence, public liability, and birth injury claims.
Her appointment builds on the momentum of another recent leadership addition, with Jane Fox joining the partnership and taking on the role of head of family law at the end of July.
Amy Nikolovski, managing partner at DBH Lawyers, noted that the shift in gender representation among the firm’s partners is the result of sustained efforts to build an inclusive culture that supports career development for all team members.
“We’re focused on attracting great talent and creating an environment where they are supported to grow and lead. It’s not about quotas – it’s about recognising excellence and making sure the path to leadership is open to, and supportive of, everyone,” Nikolovski said.
This progression reflects broader national trends, with the 2020 National Profile of Solicitors revealing that women have outnumbered men since 2018 and now make up 53 per cent of all practising solicitors.
However, the representation of women at the partnership level has lagged, with women accounting for only about 35 per cent of partners among Australia’s top 50 law firms, according to The Australian Financial Review Law Partnership Survey.
Nikolovski emphasised that the shift at DBH Lawyers isn’t solely about attracting skilled lawyers; it’s equally about fostering a workplace where they feel genuinely supported and valued.
“Hiring a good person is one thing. Retaining them is another,” Nikolovski said.
“We’ve built a culture where talented professionals feel supported, valued, and empowered to lead. That’s how we’ve grown our team and our impact.”
