Australian lawyers fight gender bias to excel
Herbert Smith Freehills’ global deputy senior partner; and Gilbert + Tobin competition & regulatory partner have been recognized among the world’s stand-out lawyers.
HSF’s Rebecca Maslen-Stannage and G+T’s Gina Cass-Gottlieb are the only two female lawyers in Australia to be named as Acritas Stars by legal research firm Acritas.
The two lawyers are also part of an exclusive global club of just 13 female lawyers to be nominated by three or more clients.
Acritas CEO Lisa Hart Shepherd says the nominations have revealed a gender bias.
“Only 15% of male-nominated Stars were women. This compared with 29% of female nominated Stars being women – almost twice the level. The effect of this bias is multiplied when you consider four out of five senior in-house counsel are male, it is therefore easy to see why female partners find it hard to get equity partnerships in law firms,” she says.
Corrs adds 5 to its partnership
Corrs Chambers Westgarth has promoted five lawyers to its partnership across key practice areas.
In Sydney, there are promotions for Felicity Saxon (Corporate Advisory), and Natalie Bryant (Property and Infrastructure); in Brisbane, Stephanie Gallagher, (Litigation) is promoted; while in Melbourne, Arvind Dixit (Intellectual Property, Technology & Competition) and Chris Horsfall, (Construction) make partner.
“The promotion of these talented individuals to partner is due recognition of their dedication to excellence in law, focus on delivering the highest level of client service, generosity of spirit and dedication to teamwork,” commented Partner and CEO of Corrs, John W.H. Denton AO.
All promotions are effective 1st January 2018.
Leadership appointments at global firm
Several appointments have been announced to the leadership of Eversheds Sutherland.
Global co-head of IP Simon Crossley also becomes head of commercial from 1st May 2018, succeeding Bridgette Wilcox who has decided to step down from the role after more than a decade.
Nasser Ali Khasawneh will take the lead for the firm’s TMT sector group from 1st February, succeeding Charlotte Walker-Osborn who will remain as part of the group as head of technology. He also becomes chairman of the Middle East region.
He will be succeeded in his current role as regional managing partner for the Middle East by Tawfiq Tabbaa, who will continue to lead the firm’s Iraq and Iran regions.
There is also a new joint role for John Kemkers and Boris Martor as co-heads of Evershed’s Africa group.
