Legal eagle says the whole profession, not just half of it, must act
Helen Mackay believes that to conquer the current challenges faced by New Zealand’s legal profession, the whole community must act. This is why the Juno Legal director and former ILANZ president says that it’s important that both women and men lawyers participate in events such as the upcoming Women in Law Summit.
“I think it is important to have a diverse range of people attend the conference because overcoming the challenges will require the whole profession to change, not just one half of the lawyers in it,” she says.
Mackay says that the signs she sees on the ground are encouraging.
“There are plenty of male champions of change in the New Zealand legal profession, and I am sure they will be attending to show their support and to better understand how to make our profession fair and inclusive for all,” she says.
Mackay recently joined as one of the industry leaders who will share insights and engage in discussions at the one-day event, which will be held at Cordis Auckland on 18 September.
Other thought-leaders who will participate in the event include Karen Walker CNZM, as well as leaders of top-tier New Zealand firms such as Bell Gully, Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson.
The event features a packed schedule, with headline panel discussions that will tackle women’s diaspora from the profession, law firm diversity and client demands, law firm leadership, eradicating harassment, and the role of young lawyers in change.
Registrations are still open for the Women in Law Summit. Attendees may claim up to 6 CPD hours for attending the full day.
Helen Mackay
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