Manukau Crown Solicitor Natalie Walker delivered the keynote address
The Law Association of New Zealand (TLANZ) held a breakfast event for International Women’s Day under the global theme “Give to Gain” on Wednesday 4 March.
The theme centred on the lasting benefits granted to individuals, organisations and the legal profession by contributing time, expertise, opportunity and voice. The event’s programme and discussion focused on the enhancement of leadership through sharing.
TLANZ vice-president Julie-Anne Kincade delivered a welcome address highlighting women who served as mentors, advocates, committee members and leaders. She said in her speech that such women had not only shaped the current legal landscape but also developed pathways for the coming generation.
Meanwhile, Manukau Crown Solicitor and Kayes Fletcher Walker director Natalie Walker focused on the history of women in law in New Zealand and the present position of the legal profession. She explained how women had traditionally faced resistance in the profession in the form of clear hostility or grudging tolerance; previously, women lawyers had to perform beyond the normal standard just to be recognised.
Currently, women account for 56% of lawyers and 64% of lawyers with up to seven years’ PQE. Moreover, 8 out of 10 heads of bench are women; 7 out of 10 permanent Court of Appeal judges are women; and 93 out of 178 District Court judges are women.
Five out of 6 law school deans are women, including the Auckland University of Technology’s Khylee Quince as the first Māori dean in New Zealand and the University of Waikato’s Tafaoimalo Tologata Leilani Tuala-Warren as the first person of Pacific descent to be a dean of law in New Zealand. Women also hold 9 of 17 Crown Solicitor warrants.
Nonetheless, Walker pointed out that women do not yet have equal representation at the inner bar, at partner level in large firms and at counsel level in major higher court litigation.
The Law Association Council member Jacque Lethbridge facilitated a discussion on practical and achievable strategies to bolster leadership pathways and support sustainable change for women in law. Topics covered included wellbeing, support networks and the shared responsibility of colleagues, including men, in driving progress.
Event sponsor Craigs Investment Partners tackled financial confidence, while investment adviser Gretchen Williamson shared tips on purposeful investment.
The event was held at Auckland's Northern Club and saw 140 attendees.
