Her experience provides her with a unique perspective and understanding, her firm says
A MinterEllisonRuddWatts senior associate is undertaking crucial work in the legal industry.
Julia Batchelor-Smith has been appointed to the New Zealand Law Society’s “Culture Change Taskforce,” which has been task to lead systems and culture change in the country’s legal community.
“We are very proud Julia has been chosen to contribute to this vital project for the legal profession. Julia’s experience provides her with a unique perspective and understanding of the strategic options to increase diversity and inclusion in the law, especially for women. This is something we at MinterEllisonRuddWatts have been working hard at for well over a decade, but there is still more to do,” said Lloyd Kavanagh, MinterEllisonRuddWatts chairman.
“The work Julia will be undertaking on the Taskforce is extremely important. It fits well with our wider commitment to initiatives such as Champions for Change and TupuToa,” he said.
The taskforce, which has an initial term of three years, is set to deliver a draft strategy and action plan to the Law Society by the end of November. It was established as a response to the latest Legal Workplace Environment Survey that found prevalent sexual harassment and bullying in the country’s legal workplaces.
Batchelor-Smith is of the MinterEllisonRuddWatts construction law team. She is also the author of Balancing Work and Life: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and a regular speaker on diversity in the legal profession and issues impacting the working parent.
Julia Batchelor-Smith
