Women Lawyers In New Zealand - latest figures

LawFuel - The Law Jobs and Legal NewsWire:

Women lawyers are increasing rapidly in New Zealand, although partner statistics are yet to reflect their growing numbers. The law firm with the highest percentage of women partners is South Island-based Anderson Lloyd, who have Eleven women partners - 40% - our of a total 27. In percentage terms, the next largest was Brookfields with 35% (6) and DLA Phillips Fox with 28% (7).

There has been a significant trend towards more women in law over the past decade. Figures received by LawFuel show that female admissions began to overtake men in 1993 with 266 female admissions to the bar, compared with the male figure of 245. The split was 52%/48%.Five years ago the figure was 456/370 (55%/45%). In 2006 it was 464/316 (61%/39%).

The women partner figures (assembled as at the end of 2007 and grouped according to the percentage of women partners) show the following in terms of
1. Total Partners, 2. Women Partners and 3. Percentage Women Partners:
Total partners Women partners Percentage (women)
1. Anderson Lloyd 27 11 40
2. Brookfields 17 6 35
3. DLA Phillips Fox 25 7 28
4. Minter Ellison 34 9 26
5. Meredith Connell 22 5 22
6. Simpson Grierson 44 7 16
7. Chapman Tripp= 51 7 14
7. Kensington Swan = 35 5 14
8. Morrison Kent = 17 2 12
8. Martelli McKegg = 12 3 12
9. Buddle Findlay 35 4 11
10. Bell Gully 41 4 10

The ratings need to be seen in the context of the aspirations and relative priorities of women in law as much as any attempts by law firms to stifle their lawyers' aspirations.It is clear from research that many women simply have not sought the partner roles and put family preferences ahead of their professional ambitions. This has altered somewhat with many firms adopting a more flexible work/life balance for male and female lawyers alike, which in turn has lead to a greater move of women into leadership positions in law firms.