One of last year's winners won’t be defending the crown this year
The release of the Excellence Awardees list for the 2023 Australasian Law Awards in March saw a shakeup in the Diversity Initiative of the Year category when last year’s co-winner, Ashurst, was not among the shortlisted candidates.
Last year, the global firm was lauded by judges for an excellent submission highlighting its parental pay leave policy.
“Well done on Ashurst for its 26 weeks full parental pay leave policy. Specific steps taken by Ashurst, setting a high standard for other law firms to follow”, the judges said of the firm’s “great submission”.
However, Hall & Wilcox, who shared the crown with Ashurst, is back on the Excellence Awardees list this year, looking to notch back-to-back wins in the Diversity Initiative of the Year category. Last year’s judges praised Hall & Wilcox for its range of D&I initiatives.
"Very impressed with the breadth of diversity and inclusion initiatives [at Hall & Wilcox] – from gender targets at partner and board level, pro bono partner for VIC Pride Centre, partnering with Supply Nation to ensure indigenous businesses are included in its supply chain, and work on its parental leave policy; A broad approach with eyes to all aspects of D&I", judges said.
This year, Hall & Wilcox contends with Allens, Bird & Bird, Clayton Utz, Dentons, Dowson Turco Lawyers and Harmers Workplace Lawyers in the Diversity Initiative of the Year category.
Australasian Lawyer released the list of Excellence Awardees for the 2023 Australasian Law Awards in March.
