Despite recent events Clayton Utz Sydney is working hard to ensure it is seen as a leading firm for women in the legal profession. The firm, which last year made headlines because of a case brought against it by a former female staff member  who claimed she had been the victim of sexual harassment, victimisation and defamation, has recently appointed Kate Jordan to the role partner in charge, Sydney.

A M&A TMT lawyer of more than 15 years, Jordan is a poster girl for what women at the firm can achieve. “I want to see all our people have the same experience I have had, particularly the women at the firm,” Jordan told ALB.

Jordan started as a junior lawyer at the firm in 1996, and was made partner while on maternity leave with her first child. “I have been very fortunate because I have had strong female and male mentors to help me work out my path,” said Jordan. “If you have strong role models and the support of the firm then it is possible to succeed in whatever you want to do.”

While M&A can often be seen as a ‘boys club’ within law firms because of the intense time frames and irregular work flows Jordan says she never saw it as an issue for her, even as a mother of three young children. “When you are in the moment of a deal or transaction it is intense, but then once you are done there is an opportunity to focus on other things,” she states. “There are other areas of law that have the same level of intensity, for example, transaction work, everyone has those challenges, but the advantage of a large law firm is that you have the processes and the people to draw on during those times of intensity.”

Along with being organised, Jordan cites flexibility as an important factor for all lawyers wanting to have a balanced family and work life: “Flexible work practices are key for all employees, but particularly for women," she said.

As part of her role as managing partner Sydney Jordan plans to assist more young female lawyers excel in the firm. “One of the planks of our strategy plan is that we want to be a market leader for women. That is really important to me,” she said.

Her advice for young female lawyers looking to climb the ranks of any law firm is to not be shy when promoting their abilities. “I often see in our younger lawyers that the women are reticent to sell themselves,” she said. “For example, if there is a job promoted with five criteria listed, a young woman will only apply if they have all five, whereas a young male candidate might apply if they only have a couple of the criteria.”