A panel of distinguished women lawyers has delivered fresh insight into the on-going issue of women reaching the senior levels of the profession, particularly advocacy. Speaking at the inaugural Gadens Intervarsity Women’s Mooting Tournament at the Sydney University Law School, the four women had one clear message to the next generation of female lawyers: don’t wait for promotion or opportunities to be handed out, ask for opportunities you want and don’t think it’s necessary to behave like men and be seen as ‘pushy’ to be a successful advocate.

“There is no personality type best suited to advocacy, but at the same time, don’t wait for someone to bring an opportunity to you. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want,” said panellist and Westpac senior general counsel Victoria Poole. The panel, moderated by Gadens partner John Dalzell, also included senior counsel Sandra Duggan, the honourable Justice Julie Ward of the Supreme Court equity division and special counsel at Gadens Louisse Massey.

As at June 30 2011 only 23 percent of barristers in NSW, 17 percent of the judicial officers of the Supreme Court and 18 percent of those at the Federal Court are female; despite the fact 60 percent of law graduates are female.  However, during the discussion Duggan noted how much the profession has already changed, and will continue to change for the better. “There will soon be more women who have been at the bar a very long time. When I left law school I didn’t even know what the bar was. I didn’t know it was an option,” she said. In addition, Ward and Duggan observed that as more senior male lawyers see their daughters entering the profession, their desire for the new female generation to succeed will increase. "They will ask themselves 'how can I stand in the way," said Ward.

All panellists agreed that hopeful women litigants should spend some time as a solicitor before entering the bar, to gather contacts and form relationships with those who will refer work to them once they are there. However, they could not agree on where was the best place to undertake this training with two voting for mid-tier firms and the others claiming top tier firms.

The Mooting Tournament was initiated by the Sydney University Law Society, NSW Special Committee of Law Students’ Societies in conjunction with Gadens to encourage the next generation of female members of the bar to reach higher offices.

Related stories:
Law Society seeks real change on the progression and retention of women in law 29 July 2011
NSW legal profession snapshot: More women and greater flexibility 4 April 2011