Dear Members & Colleagues

The public announcement by the federal Attorney General, the Honourable Robert McCelland MP, that he would formally consult our national representative body, Australian Women Lawyers, on the issue of federal appointment is welcome and exciting news for WLA NSW. Click here to read the Attorney General's speech to the Queensland Bar Association Annual Conference on 17 February 2008.

It is important that members are aware that this consultation process exists. This will be addressed further at our Celebrating Women in the Judiciary function on 24 July 2008.

We thank Blake Dawson Waldron for the success of our first Work2Suit forum held on 6 March. The information provided at this event on presenting a business case for flexible work arrangements was highly relevant, practical, and unique.

We thank Women's Legal Services New South Wales for generously allowing us to jointly host a stall with them as part of the International Women's Day events in the Sydney CBD.

I invite you to attend our upcoming Law Week event, Law as a Career - Coming to the Bar, on Tuesday 1 April 2008, as detailed below. I also encourage you to participate as a mentor in the UNSW Women's Mentoring program being launched on Wednesday 9 April 2008, as detailed below.

Yours faithfully,

Lee-May Saw
President

9 April, Wednesday 6:30PM
Launch of UNSW Women's Mentoring Program
Freehills, MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney
The UNSW Law Society is running a women's mentoring program for female law students. This is an opportunity for female law students at UNSW to make connections with a variety of prominent and interesting women from the legal profession, in order to receive guidance and advice on their future career in law. The program entails assigning each student to a mentor. It is up to the mentor and mentee to arrange how many times they would like to meet, or whether they prefer email correspondence. This is quite flexible.

The launch event for the program will be held on Wednesday 9 April at Freehills at 6:30pm. The evening will begin with a guest speaker and will be followed by drinks where the mentors and students will meet and be encouraged to exchange contact information.

We are currently looking for mentors from a variety of legal backgrounds particularly those from government or the bar to accommodate the diverse career interests of our students.
If you are interested in being a mentor, please email womens@unswlawsoc.org by Monday 31 March 2008

5 DOUBLE 'IN SEASON' MOVIE PASSES: THE DINNER GUEST for the first 5 WLANSW members to email executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au with the subject heading "Dinner Guest", compliments of Dendy Films. Please note that only the winners will be contacted. IN CINEMAS March 20. THE DINNER GUEST is a quirky French comedy. 53yo and unemployed Gerard (Daniel Auteuil) is getting desperate when he is offered a job in Indonesia. Determined to make a good impression, he invites his new boss to dinner. His panic-stricken wife Colette (Valerie Lemercier) calls in Alexandre, their PR guru neighbour (Thierry Lhermitte) to give them the ultimate 24-hour makeover.

OTHER EVENTS & NEWS:

POSITION AVAILABLE:  Deputy President, Guardianship Tribunal Sydney
This is a statutory position reporting to the President of the Tribunal and responsible for assisting the President in the management of the Tribunal’s statutory and organisational responsibilities.  Further information about this position is available on-line.  For further information about the Guardianship Tribunal visit www.gt.nsw.gov.au
Inquiries:  Diane Robinson, President, Guardianship Tribunal (02) 9555 8500
Information Package:  Justin Standley (02) 9552 8595
Closing Date:  Friday 28 March 2008

2008 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women
99 Australian Businesses tackle the gender pay gap, 4 March 2008 

1st National Diversity on Boards Conference
28 & 29 May 2008 at Bondi Beach, Sydney NSW
Take this opportunity to expand your network, develop your skills and create business opportunities. Please visit www.womenonboards.org.au/events/diversity2008/ for full details and bookings. This event is hosted by Women on Boards (WOB), leading advocate for boardroom change. WOB provides networking and brokering services for women seeking board positions and career development opportunities.

Be prepared for a night of madcap fun with Tony Laumberg’s 8th play, "2 Weddings & A Lawyer ". It runs 8 May - 1 June at the TAP Gallery Darlinghurst. The theatre holds a cosy 60 people and produces a wonderfully intimate atmosphere with an art gallery and a cafe/bar also at the venue. Producer Tony Laumberg is offering Friday, 23 May 2008 "Women Lawyers' Night" and any member who calls the booking agency, MCA, on 1300 306 776 and uses the passwords, "Women Lawyers" can purchase as many tickets  as they like for that night at the discount price of $20.00 instead of the normal price of $28.00. For more details visit www.bigsplash.com.au

Friday 16 May: Charity Cocktail Event at NSW Parliament House to raise funds for World Youth Day. The proceeds will go towards assisting youth from poorer countries and those from disadvantaged backgrounds in Australia to attend this life-changing spiritual and cultural event 15-20 July 2008. Young people will gather from countries all over the world to build bridges of friendship and hope amongst peoples, continents and cultures.  World Youth Day warmly welcomes young people of all faiths and creeds. Donations of money and prize items are sought in support of this very special event – please contact members of the’ ActIv8 and Shine’ organising committee: Ann Glissan on 0438 992 949, Kylie Saul on 0413 193 787 or Sophie York on 0411 872295. Ticket Order Forms may be obtained by emailing Ann Glissan of Limelight Express on: annglissan@yahoo.com.au

Please feel free to pass this email onto colleagues and ensure they are on our email list for future updates and invitations.

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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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