Women Lawyers NSW

The peak body representing women lawyers in NSW for the advancement of women in the legal profession.

24 October 2007

Women Lawyers Announce New Patron and Winner of 2007 Awards

Last Friday night, at the Hilton Sydney Hotel, a room full of attendees hailing from across the various sectors of the legal profession, shared in a monumental milestone in the history of the Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLA NSW).

55 years after its formation in 1952, WLA NSW announced the Honourable Justice Jane Mathews AO, as its official patron. The announcement was made at a Gala Presentation Dinner for the 2007 NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards.

Justice Mathews gave an inspiring speech as the special guest speaker for the evening, reminding all in attendance of the unique contribution that women have to make to the law. JMathews_AwardSpeech19Oct07.pdf

L-R: Kate Traill, Anne Healey, Justice Mathews, Justice Beazley

Her Honour was also the recipient of WLA NSW’s 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award. She is only the second woman lawyer to be presented with this prestigious Award by WLA NSW. WLA NSW presented its first Lifetime Achievement Award to the Honourable Mary Gaudron QC, the patron of Australian Women Lawyers, in 2002.

Recipients of the other Achievement Awards to be presented and announced at the Dinner were:

* Juliet Bourke, Partner, Aequus Partners, recipient of a special Judging Panel’s award, the Most Outstanding Contribution by a Member Award;
* Stephanie Pursely, Consultant, Freehills, recipient of the 2007 Private or Corporate Lawyer Award;
* Anna Cody, Director, Kingsford Legal Centre, recipient of the 2007 Government or Community Lawyer Award; and
* Julia Grix, solicitor, Legal Aid Commission of NSW, recipient of the 2007 Young Lawyer Award.

“The recipients of this year’s Awards showcase the outstanding versatility of women lawyers,” says Lee-May Saw, President, WLA NSW.

“The myth that women lawyers are only suited to particular areas of legal practice or to particular legal workplaces is well and truly dispelled by the recipients of our Awards. The fallacy of this myth has never been a secret to the Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW, and it is well past the time for the broader community to recognise the inexcusable absurdity of the myth, “ says Ms Saw.

The major sponsors for the 2007 NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards Gala Presentation Dinner were Locus. The Achievement Awards were supported by the Attorney-General’s Department of NSW, the Bar Association of NSW, the Law Society of NSW, and the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency.

Photos of the evening from the Happy Medium Photo Company, Phone: 9299 1973 or view on their website under 'Awards' http://happymediumphoto.com.au/ A photo gallery from member's contributions will be uploaded to the Awards page shortly.

26 October, Friday 12:45 PM — 2:00 PM
Female Bar Readers Welcome & Networking Lunch
Buena Vista Cafe & Bar, L14, Supreme Law Courts Bldg, 184 Phillip St, Sydney. In our continuing support for women in the legal profession, we would be delighted if you could join us for this luncheon acknowledging and welcoming the female bar readers. This will provide an opportunity for you to meet and network with members and colleagues in an informal environment. No charge; non-reader attendees pay for own lunch - view menu on the Buena Vista Café website. Please register your attendance: executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au to ensure adequate seating.

8 November, Thursday 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM
Women in Environmental Law Networking Function
Proudly hosted by Freehills, Level 38 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney
Women Lawyers Association of NSW and NSW Young Lawyers are pleased to present this networking function with special guest speaker, The Hon. Justice Nicola Pain of the Land and Environment Court of NSW. Further details and bookings: EnvironLaw07.pdf

16 November, Friday 12:30 PM — 2:00 PM
Golden Girls Inaugural Lunch
Venue: Buena Vista Cafe & Bar, Level 14, Supreme Law Courts Building, 184 Phillip St, Sydney
No charge; attendees pay for own lunch - view menu on the Buena Vista Café website. Please advise our office of contact details for colleagues to be added to our invite list and register your attendance: executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au to ensure adequate seating. An opportunity for our retired colleagues, Life Members and early supporters to meet and impart their knowledge and experience to others.

OTHER EVENTS:

Career Comeback - A program for professional women re-entering the workforce launched by UBS and AGSM. Applications to AGSM Executive Programs close November 1, 2007. The program is offered free of charge. Click here for further details.

The Clare Burton Memorial Lecture 2007 Understandings of Sex Discrimination in the Workplace: Limits and Possibilities. Women@UTS and the ATN Women's Executive Development Program invite you to join them 5.30-7.30pm Wednesday 7 November at UTS Broadway. Free admittance, bookings required. Click here for further details.

Support White Ribbon Day, the international campaign to eliminate violence against women.

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For more information contact us
Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales Inc.
DX7304 Wyong / 14A Lonsdale Close, Lake Haven NSW 2263
Ph: (02) 4392 1185 Fax: (02) 4392 9410
Email: executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au URL: http://www.womenlawyersnsw.org.au

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