More than 300 leading names from private practice, The Bar and the in-house legal community gathered together last month to celebrate the UK Legal 500 awards. The awards – which have been running since 2015 – reward the best individuals and teams across all three areas of the profession, with winners chosen as part of …
Interview with...
New silk Deshpal Panesar QC talks about the challenges of the QC appointment process, what he would change about it, and whether it is all worth it in the end
There is a sort of miracle about most careers at the Bar. The fact that every year, cadres of people choose to cast free of the security of a salary, a defined career, paid leave, or the support of an institution, to pursue a career at the Bar, is remarkable enough. All the more so …
The Bar
Melia Benn is one of only two practising Indigenous women barristers at the Queensland Bar. She was called to the Bar in 2018, and has a dual practice in both Endeavour Chambers, Cairns and Griffith Chambers, Brisbane. The Legal 500’s Head of Inclusion, Equality, and Culture, Fiona Fleming, spoke with Melia about her pathway into law, the obstacles she’s faced as an Indigenous woman, and what the Australian legal industry can do to improve Indigenous representation
FF: Tell me a little about what it was like for you growing up in Far North Queensland, and what it was that made you want to be a lawyer? I grew up in a place called Gordonvale and there are parts of when I think about growing up in Far North Queensland that can …
Continue reading “Fighting for the next generation of indigenous talent”
Interview with...
Morgan Lewis is the largest law firm in the world led by a woman. In this interview with US editor (content) Helen Donegan, firm chair Jami McKeon provides insight into her plans for her second term in the role, reveals what most challenges and excites her in her work, and shares her thoughts on women in the legal profession
The firm has changed dramatically since you first became chair. Has your focus changed for your second term and, if so, what is your main focus now? It is certainly correct that our firm has changed dramatically. Expanding in practice areas and locations where our clients most need us has led to us growing by …
Continue reading “It’s all about engagement – in our clients, our people, our communities”
Interview with...
Helen Donegan, US editor (content), speaks with DLA Piper’s Ann K. Ford about the launch of a tech-focused financial regulatory practice, creating a global competitive edge, the challenges still facing female attorneys, and the firm’s Leadership Alliance for Women
On January 22, DLA Piper announced you have become the sole US chair and global co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology (IPT) practice. Can you tell me a bit more about your move into this role in addition to other roles you hold within the firm? I have been in leadership roles for …
Interview with...
Jennifer Selendy, Selendy & Gay’s co-managing partner, speaks with Helen Donegan about the firm’s recent successes, creating a culture of excellence, and the challenges facing women in the legal profession
In recognition of the firm’s two-year anniversary, can you start by telling us about the key successes for Selendy & Gay to date? We set out to build something different and something that could drive excellence and a collaborative, client-centred service. So, the quality of the practice we’ve built over these past few years is …
Continue reading “Talented people look for meaning in their careers”
Interview with...
Caroline Green, Browne Jacobson’s new senior partner, talks to John van der Luit-Drummond about firm leadership, #MeToo, Brexit, why the High Street isn’t dying, and the importance of listening to your people
You were Browne Jacobson’s first female partner and were recently elected its first female senior partner. How have the attitudes towards women in law, and women leaders, changed during your career? There is no doubt that attitudes towards women in law have changed dramatically since I qualified as a solicitor in 1984. As part of …
Continue reading “There are too few senior women leaders, but the tide is turning”
Lawyers with impairments need to lead by example to destigmatise disability and create awareness of our diverse abilities, says Ashleigh DoRozario, litigation lawyer at Potts Lawyers, Australia
I am a legally blind lawyer. I never thought I would say that! When I was growing up, I wanted to be a marine biologist but, sadly, chemistry was not my strong suit. After high school, I was unsure of my next move and fell into a legal secretary position at MinterEllison while I was …
Change is inevitable, so only firms that look ahead will stand the test of time, says Sarah Henwood, CEO of the world’s oldest law firm, Thomson Snell & Passmore
Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘When you’re finished changing, you’re finished’. This year Thomson Snell & Passmore is celebrating 450 years, the world’s oldest law firm as certified by The Guinness Book of World Records. We wouldn’t be here today unless we were able to embrace change. From leading the way as early adopters of technology …
Female role models: spotlight on Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Management Committee
Female role models: spotlight on Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Management Committee
Four out of nine members of Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Management Committee are women. And three of these women come from minority backgrounds. In recognition of this strong example of female leadership within one of the largest global law firms, Helen Donegan (US editor for content) spoke with these partners to hear about their practices …