Gender Equitable Briefing – some strategies for improving briefing rates

At the end of 2020, WBA presented the outcome of its research into appearances by gender in the Victorian Courts. The results, while showing some general improvement in briefing rates over time, also indicate that there is a long way to go in terms of achieving equitable briefing, particularly in civil matters and particularly by private firms.

As part of its research, WBA examined briefing rates in the Supreme Court between 2017 and 2019 for the top 30 firms briefing by volume (i.e. the 30 firms that briefed the highest number of barristers of any gender). Of those 30 firms, only five firms achieved the overall target rate of briefing 30% of women by number of briefs.

A further nine firms met the target for briefing either senior counsel or junior counsel but not both.

WBA has invited the four firms who achieved the overall briefing target of 30% and are also signatories to the Gender Equitable Briefing Policy to outline their experiences and strategies for improving their performance, and transparency, in gender equitable briefing. WBA is excited to present the following speakers:

Christiana McCudden (Commercial Litigation Partner) – Gilbert & Tobin

Carla Downes (Chair of Events, Women’s Network Committee) – Moray & Agnew

Idil Mohamud (Coordinator, Gender Equitable Briefing Initiative) – Slater & Gordon

Heidi Roberts (Diversity & Inclusion Partner) – Corrs Chambers Westgarth

The discussion will be chaired by former WBA Convenor Dr Kylie Weston-Scheuber and Anna Svenson, Director and Principal Clerk of Svenson Barristers.

This event is proudly supported by Victorian Women Lawyers.

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