A notice posted in a Melbourne barristers’ chambers mocking the women in law awards is very disappointing and is a reminder that discriminatory conduct in the profession remains a problem, says the Australian Lawyers Alliance.
“It is a sobering reminder that equality and inclusion in the legal profession still has a long way to go,” said Shaun Marcus, National President, Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA). “We call on the Victorian Bar to act. This is not the first time we have seen poor conduct in the state, and we believe the Bar needs to respond decisively.
“It is important that we all call out this discriminatory behaviour to ensure that it is clearly condemned as unacceptable.
“I think we are all disappointed that, as a profession, we are still seeing these types of behaviours. It is exhausting for the women in the profession to continue to have to battle discrimination and harassment.”
Female representation in the legal profession has increased significantly in the past 30 years. When the ALA was formed in 1994 only 16 per cent of members were female. Women now make up 55 per cent of the ALA membership and many leadership roles are filled by women.
“We need the senior people in law to keep calling out this type of bad behaviour when they see it – it can no longer be overlooked or ‘swept under the carpet’,” said Shaun.
