Some 250 members of the Queensland legal profession came together this morning for the annual QLS International Women’s Day Breakfast to acknowledge the valuable contributions made by women in law.
The Queensland Law Society event, sponsored this year by Mullins Lawyers and Women Lawyers Association of Queensland, also commemorated International Women’s Day – held on 8 March each year to recognise women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
QLS President Chloé Kopilović in her welcoming address said QLS was committed to working with the profession towards gender equality in the workplace, including through education such as sexual harassment prevention and unconscious bias training programs, and through advocacy in the prevention of domestic and family violence.
Midja Fisher chairs this morning’s panel discussion.
Corporate Leadership Facilitator Midja Fisher hosted a panel discussion featuring Women Lawyers Association of Queensland President Jessica McClymont, McCullough Robertson Chair of Partners Kristan Conlon, Women’s Legal Service Queensland CEO Nadia Bromley and Ashurst Advance Associate Minnie Hannaford.
The panellists shared their individual experiences on leadership in legal practice and some of the successes and challenges they have experienced throughout their careers. They also spoke candidly on workplace flexibility, the integration of work, family and other pursuits, and burnout.
Minnie Hannaford addresses fellow panellists and attendees.
Panellist and QLS Future Leaders Committee Past President Ms Hannaford provided an early career lawyers’ perspective and said that setting clear boundaries were a key to achieving longevity in the legal profession.
“I congratulate the people in leadership roles who are making those opportunities available for their staff and creating an environment where their staff feel they can do that,” she said. “We need to be more aware of and more attuned with this – yes, work is going to require a lot of us, but that shouldn’t come at the cost of your own life and the boundaries you need to put in place to do that.”
This morning’s sold-out event raised $5255 for not-for-profit organisations Women’s Legal Service Queensland and LawRight.
QLS International Women’s Day Breakfast, 2023.
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