The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy awarded the top prize to the firm at Government House
Simpson Grierson took home the top prize at the White Camellia Awards.
New Zealand’s governor-general, the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, presented the awards’ supreme award at Government House last week on Women’s Suffrage Day.
Partner Heather Ash, who leads the firm’s diversity and inclusion committee, said it was especially meaningful to be at Government House on Women’s Suffrage Day to receive the award.
“These are internationally recognised awards and are aimed at encouraging organisations to empower women to ensure that we attain full equality, something which is core to the essence of our society,” she said. “Gender equality and a zero pay gap is a fundamental part of natural justice, and it is therefore really important that we as lawyers implement it in our own business.”
Simpson Grierson said that it has no gender pay gap and that three of its four new partners this year are women. The firm, which was the first corporate in New Zealand to obtain the Rainbow Tick certification, is also working to give more opportunities to Māori and Pasifika graduates.
The firm also won awards for leadership in promoting gender equality and promotion of education and training in the workplace.
“This award is a really important validation of the work we have been doing, particularly over the last five years, to really lift the overall diversity of our firm and the profession,” said James Winchester, Simpson Grierson board member. “It is great to be recognised for that commitment. For us, diversity is totally ingrained into our strategy. It is a core part of our DNA.”
Simpson Grierson with their White Camellia Awards
Related stories:
Legal profession urged to ponder gender diversity on Women’s Suffrage Day
Law Society calls for feedback on gender diversity and inclusion charter
