Woman as justice – but is there justice for women?*
The release of the VEOHRC Report into women in the legal profession raises a number of important issues. We have already highlighted the concerning lack of progress in terms of women’s retention and progression in the profession. In this post, we explore the implications of these findings in terms of the health of the justice system.
Getaway from it all *
Whether it’s with a dirty martini, fruity mai-tai or a perfect manhattan, there is nothing like meeting colleagues for a soothing libation and convivial company.
We hear many dire reports of the sad, the mad and the bad aspects of legal study and practice, but its worth remembering one of the best parts of working in the law is the fabulous people you meet. In Sydney a group formed under the twitter tag #lawandmoredrinks. In London #TweetingLegals have been meeting regularly. But why has it taken so long for other Australian law types to coagulate over cocktails? Read On…
They say that what happens at the law conference stays at the law conference.
We all know the value of getting out of the salt mines, meeting new people and hearing new ideas. Whether its the networking, the great speakers, the time away from home and the desk, we think conferences are a wonderful opportunity to have a break from the daily grind, and experience something new.
Here are some interesting conferences that might be worth checking out. Read on: Read the rest of this entry »
Gold, gold, gold!
Lest it not be a “winter of discontent” perhaps we should put on our thinking caps, sharpen our pencils and nominate some worthy women to the next round of law and community awards? Many women would never dream of asking someone to nominate them, or even nominate themselves, so don’t wait to be asked! Here is a round up of some Awards, why don’t you grab a friend, colleague or your mentor and submit a nomination?
As the Advancing Women guide says
If you know a woman who’s doing work that you admire, put her forward for an award. Australia will thank you.
A list of some awards follows below:
We're all going to Law Week!
If you are down by law, in-law, outlaw, legally blond, legal tender, below the bar, above the law or presumed innocent, you may be interested in some of the events coming up in Law Week (16-22 May) the official site is here.
All jurisdictions have law tours, open courts, seminars and a mix of serious and fun events, and most have a PILCH/Pro Bono Walk for Justice on the 16th May (see your local Public Interest Law Clearing House for details)
Survive Law blog has kindly set out their national round up for you (click here).
You can select your forum conveniens by clicking the link below.
Like what you see? You can subscribe to this blog by scrolling to the bottom of the page, or follow us on twitter @amicae1.
Should I have asked about the dress code in the interview?
A career in the law: be prepared…
The NSW Young Lawyers have just released a great booklet on how to ‘Survive and Thrive in your First Year of Law’ (the pdf is available from their site click here). It is full of honest advice about starting life as a law student, and then as an early career lawyer. Have a look back at our post on Depression and the Dark Side of the Law.
Amicae Curiae has asked some of our ‘girlfriends of the courts’ on their top tips* for starting out in a law career, and here are the best ones (read on):
ps like what you see? You can subscribe to this blog by scrolling to the bottom of the page, or Follow @amicae1
Some highlights (or lowlights?) from Twitter last week:
Results of new study show the (US) legal profession is falling short in efforts to increase diversity http://t.co/FJz4sDd Via @LegalTube.
In the UK “City firms are unwilling…to allow women to stay at work & progress…once they start a family” http://t.co/zC41c8I via @Legal_Week
And in Australia The New Lawyer reported: 60 hour working weeks the norm for most lawyers. http://t.co/h9rqRBY via @neil_watt
While @LexMonitor passed this on: Women Lawyers Have (up to 20%) Lower Billing Rates than Men; why? http://t.co/teSaiF2 from @LarryBodine Read the rest of this entry »
Many women graduating from law studies look for non-commercial careers, particularly in government. But many do not realise that applications for positions in government must go in on certain dates.
The team at Survive Law have helpfully collated those dates, click here.
Some of the positions are with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (May 2011), the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (21 April 2011), the Australian Government Solicitor (15 April 2011) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (17 April 2011).
But there are many more federal departments (aside from the Commonwealth small arms factory) that are looking for law graduates, and April is hunting season!
amicae1
James Farrell
jeanniepaterson
katgallow
Melissa Castan
Amicae Curiae 