A total of 30 Elite Women have earned colleagues’ and clients’ respect this past year
NZ Lawyer’s Elite Women for this year are dedicated leaders and achievers who have raised the bar and moved the industry forward through their influence within the legal profession and their passion for the law.
These outstanding female lawyers, nominated by members of the New Zealand legal profession, have managed to stand out amid the many challenges facing the country’s lawyers today, including psychological distress, the rise of generative AI, rampant inflation, and legislative changes driven by the government.
The winners for 2024 include the following:
“There’s definitely a way to go, but I’m a big believer in the saying, ‘If you can see it, you can be it,’” Bell tells NZ Lawyer. “It’s important to be visible out there and visibly succeeding.”
“I think there was a perception when I walked into the room that I was a secretary or the person bringing the coffee,” says Courtney. “That drove me to work even harder, making me a better lawyer and advocate.”
“I love how women can be real champions for one another, but I have also heard that it can be terribly hard working for a woman and that sometimes women can be tougher on other women than men,” says Hill. “I’m not sure why that is, but I think it’s important to understand it better so we can effect change.”
“Women need to celebrate successes more and champion each other’s careers better,” says Jones. “We need to move away from thinking that we are competing against each other and strive to elevate each other, which, as a whole, would actually better the legal profession.”
NZ Lawyer congratulates this year’s Elite Women. See more information here on the 30 awardees, some of whom shared their personal perspectives and insights about matters such as balance, resilience, leadership, and mentoring.
