News
CPD SEMINARS
WBF has organised a number of seminars over the past year. These seminars have included the following:
- Towards the end of July 2017, The Honourable Justice Jagot, Vanessa Whittaker and Clarissa Amato presented a compelling CPD seminar on interlocutory applications that covered practical advocacy tips, as well as substantive issues arising in common applications.
- In August 2017, Arthur Moses SC, Kate Eastman SC and Jane Needham SC presented an informative seminar on the National Model Gender Equitable Briefing Policy, providing a step-by-step practical guide to reporting.
- In February 2018, the Chair, Jane Needham SC, Sarah McNaughton SC and Kelly Rees SC presented a seminar on “Pathways to Silk”. This seminar provided barristers interested in applying for silk with invaluable practical advice on how to shape their practice in the years leading up to a silk application. WBF saw a significant interest among junior and more senior male and female barristers, and provided a fantastic opportunity to have questions answered by women who have previously been on the Silk Selection Committee.
- In March 2018, Richard Scruby SC and Brenda Tronson dissected and discussed the wealth of data collated on the number of women appearances in NSW Courts, Federal Court (NSW Registry) and the High Court of Australia between November 2016 and April 2017. The seminar was chaired by Kate Eastman SC, and expanded on her work in the 2016 paper, Visible Targets: The case for equitable briefing which shed light on the 141% gender pay gap among barristers Australia wide, with the New South Wales Bar comprised of only 21% women in 2015.
- In August 2018, WBF facilitated a round-table lunch discussion on returning to work from parental leave with a panel of barristers (being Gabby Bashir SC, Jonathan Clark, Melanie Cairns and Naomi Oreb).
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
The new silks function in 2017 was, once again, a great success. Guest speaker The Hon Mary Gaudron QC proved a huge drawcard and a record number of barristers were in attendance to celebrate our new women silks. Throughout the year, WBF has also organised drinks nights at the Verandah Bar and invited readers. These events are always enjoyable and provide an opportunity for women barristers to get together and exchange ideas.
Silk appointments 2017
The
new Silk appointments
Lesley Wahlen SC (11 Wentworth)
Melissa Gillies SC (Banco Chambers)
Naomi Sharp SC (Director’s Chambers)
Katharine Morgan SC (Tenth Floor Selborne / Wentworth Chambers)
Dr Ruth Higgins SC (Banco Chambers)
Congratulations to these three women on their outstanding achievement
FEMALE PARTICIPATION AT THE BAR
The Equitable Briefing working party has released a report in response to the National Attrition and Re-engagement Study Report.
The report notes that:
1. 2. hours whereas 3. hearing
The report has recommended a number of
The report has been widely reported in the media:
http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/17082-bar-diversity-needs-to-be-addressed
women agm
Following the Women Barristers Forum AGM, the executive members are:
Chair:
Kate Richardson SC
Co-Vice Chair:
Brenda Tronson
Co-Vice Chair:
Zoë Hillman
Co-Secretary:
Caroline Dobraszczyk
Co-Secretary:
Elizabeth Picker
Treasurer:
Rosalind Winfield
Information Technology Officer:
Kavita Balendra
WLNSW Liaison:
Larissa Andelman
CPD Coordinators:
Madeleine Ellicott, Brin Anniwell
The
minutes of the Meeting as well as the reports of the treasurer and the Chair are now available
Katrina dawSon
So many people have asked what can be done to preserve and
Instead of flowers, please consider making a donation to Katrina's Foundation (online at
www.thekatrinadawsonfoundation.org or cash/
Katrina was a light in so many lives. She shone in so many ways with her warmth, her brilliance, her
aRTICLES
http://theconversation.com/australian-women-must-hold-their-nerve-until-justice-is-served-21464
http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/publications/judges-speeches/justice-perry/perry-j-20140405
http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/16258-briefing-practises-need-a-culture-shock
http://www.nswbar.asn.au/docs/webdocs/BN_022015_feature1.pdf
Help Needed
The Bar Alumnae Subcommittee is looking to contact female former barristers. If you know of any anyone that has left the bar, for any reason, please contact the members of the
Bar Alumnae
Call for Speakers
The WBF is seeking women barristers who are willing to present at upcoming CPD events. If you have provided a CPD, or would like to provide a CPD, or know of someone who can provide a CPD, please contact the members of the CPD subcommittee.
Have we missed anything?
If you know of an upcoming event or some news about a WBF member that we have missed, please contact Kavita Balendra and let us know.