A Word from the Patron of Victorian Women Lawyers

The Honourable Chief Justice Marilyn Warren AC

Victorian Women Lawyers is a voluntary association that promotes and protects the interests of women lawyers and engages with legal and social justice issues that affect women.

Having observed the Victorian experience over almost 30 years and seeing the changes that I have, and they have been significant changes, it seems to me that the time had come to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our gender in the law and assess strategies for moving forward.

As women progress, those who succeed cannot rely solely on their example. They ought use their achievement to expressly and practically support the development and promotion of younger women in the law. It is imperative that the hand be cast down to the generation below to pull up the women from the previous generation to the next.

And above all, women need to keep gender on the agenda. Perseverance is the ultimate imperative in promoting difference.

I commend VWL for its energy and enthusiam in promoting the interests of women in the law and am proud to be its Patron.

A Word from the 2012 Convenor, Patricia Athanasiadis

Dear Member,

There are plenty of opportunities for you to be more active in VWL including joining one of our committees, putting your hand up for a co-chairing role or simply attending our events.

VWL is a not-for-profit organisation run by a group of dedicated volunteers whose passion is to further women’s success in the law. As a member, you are already showing your support for VWL, don’t forget that there are more opportunities within the organisation for you to be involved.

This year’s theme is mentoring and whilst this might seem clichéd considering my Greek background, the word “Mentor” comes from Homer’s The Odyssey. Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, left his son, in the care of Mentor who acted as advisor, protector and wise friend. Despite these ancient origins, mentors are ever present in today’s world, particularly in the law. I hope that the work of VWL this year encourages you to seek out your mentor or find your mentee - You can be someone’s Jedi Master!

What better way to start 2012 then by having our first event, focusing on how to network to develop your communication skills and Convert Contacts to Contracts. Ricky Nowack of Confident Communications will host this interactive evening event on 22 February, with ONLY 20 spots remaining sign up fast so you don’t miss out!

Remembering amazing women who have contributed to the law, is also why VWL, in conjunction with the LIV holds the annual Dame Roma Mitchell Luncheon. Michael Kirby is the guest speaker at this event on 2 March and having known Dame Roma Mitchell well, honours her memory by speaking, while discussing what the movement for equal marriage rights can learn from the women’s movement. See here for further details.

But it isn’t just about events at VWL this month, I also attending the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), Critical Friends Group for their Women in the Law Project. This Project aims to examine and publish evidence of the experiences of women working in law firms in Victoria. VWL supports the work of the VEOHRC and believes that this work will complement the existing research done by VWL, in our earlier Scoping Study for an Attrition Study of Victorian Lawyers.

Claire Carrucan, Assistant Convenor of VWL with Natalie Devitsakis, Networking co-chair volunteered at the annual Legal Laneway Breakfast hosted by the Victoria Law Foundation on 1 February to celebrate the opening of the Legal Year. The breakfast was well attended by dignitaries, including Attorney-General The Hon. Robert Clark and Shadow Attorney-General The Hon. Martin Pakula, barristers, solicitors and law students alike. On a brisk but sunny Melbourne morning those in attendance gathered to celebrate the legal profession and what’s in store for the 2012 Legal Year.

If you would like to be more involved in VWL or would like to make a suggestion on how VWL can be more effective, please send us an email, we are always keen to have your feedback.I look forward to seeing you at our next event, Converting Contacts into Contracts.

Sincerely,

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