Pay disparity

http://www.nacew.govt.nz/publications/quality/women/section1.html

The Economic Rationales For Narrowing The Gender Pay Gap

Woman in partnership

Of the 6 people promoted to partnership at the Australian law firm Freehills this week - 4 were woman.

The firm said the high proportion of women reflects the growing representation of women studying law and entering legal practice with commercial law firms.

Freehills’ CEO Gavin Bell said ‘We only ever promote to partnership based on merit and a strong business case, and it’s pleasing to see we have the quality of people who can offer our clients the best legal and commercial advice in the market,”.

In March this year, the federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) listed 12 law firms with offices in Australia as demonstrating they have policies and practices supporting women across their organisations. Freehills was one of those firms.
Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Baker & McKenzie, Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson, Cooper Grace Ward, Holding Redlich, Gilbert + Tobin, Maddocks, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, McCullough Robertson and Sparke Helmore were also acknowledged.

The law firms were ranked among 95 total organisations on the government’s employer of choice for women list. “By applying for and receiving this citation, these organisations are not only meeting the pre-requisites and criteria, but are publicly declaring their commitment to making their workplaces equitable,” EOWA acting director Mairi Steele said. “They know they are not perfect, but they are working hard to make their organisations good places for women to work.”

http://www.thenewlawyer.com.au/article/women-rank-high-in-partnership-promotions/518707.aspx

Women regulating Wall Street

Check out this article by Michael Scherer in the May edition of Time magazine about 3 women making a difference to the USA financial scene. No minor feat where only 3% of the Fortune 500 companies have a women CEO!

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1988953,00.html

2010 Ethel Benjamin Address

The Rt Hon. The Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE QC PC gave the 2010 NZ Law Foundation Ethel Benjamin Address in Dunedin on 7 May. Lady Hale was the first (and still is the only) woman law lord, and sits on the UK's new Supreme Court. The theme of her address was "dignity". The Address is hosted by OWLS and is supported by the NZ Law Foundation, the Otago Branch of the NZLS and the Law Faculty of the University of Otago.

Check out these links for further information on the Address:

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/105122/struggles-law-women-celebrated

http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/docs/speech_100507.pdf