Wanted women who started in the legal profession over 25 years ago...

A Path Well-Paved

The WDLS Woman-in-Law Committee is interested in hearing from women who started out their legal professional career more than 25 years ago. We want, and need, to learn from “ngā wāhine toa nei” who paved the way.

Many of those women, to their credit and to our blessing, still hold a current practicing certificate and work in our privileged profession in significant numbers. These women have excelled. They managed to adapt to a traditionally conservative, male-dominated profession and, over time, even helped to rewrite the rulebook to the benefit of both women and men. They are our role models. So, who are they and where are they?

Of those women still in practice in the Wellington District, two were admitted in the 1950s, one in the 1960s, 38 in the 1970s and 15 in the 1980s. In total there are 56 women still with a current practicing certificate who were admitted more than 25 years ago. They are now in virtually all legal work environments: the judiciary, private firms, public sector, and in chambers. It is the journey to this point that we hope to capture and share with you through this column.

In reviewing previous articles on women in the legal profession written in Council Brief and Law Talk, papers presented at conferences, speeches etc., a common thread emerged. There was a single-mindedness; a strength that each of these women obviously possessed and a confidence in their own worth.

Much has been written over the years about the different ways the legal profession could support women lawyers trying to balance professional and personal development/commitments – for example, flexible hours, job sharing, part-time hours, childcare friendly policies, etc. We do not intend to revisit these issues. Instead, we will focus on the ways in which women have dealt with and resolved these issues in their own lives. We want to provide some ingredients for you to create your individual recipe for balancing your personal and professional aspirations and challenges. Most likely there will not be a formal “cookbook” in your workplace - the onus will be on the individual to write their own.

We have got women entering the legal profession in great numbers now, so what can they learn from “ngā wāhine toa nei” that will help them to nurture and develop their legal careers? How can we help them to create their own unique recipe?
Watch this space!

If you were admitted more than 25 years ago and would be willing to answer some questions about your journey in the law, please contact Ruth Nichols on (04) 924 3749, or ruth.nichols@comcom.govt.nz We would love to hear from you.