Fathers will help end discrimination at the Bar

After a career survey completed by Lawyers' Weekly in April, a prominent female Sydney Silk has told an audience of women considering a career at the Bar that senior men in the profession, who also happen to be fathers, are speaking out about discrimination against women.

In a Women Lawyers of NSW Event, Sydney silk Kylie Nomchong has said the promotion of female barristers will be driven by male colleagues, partners and even judges who have daughters,

“Fathers can’t bear it when their daughters, who have worked so hard, are discriminated against ... and so you get this push for acceptance from the men."

Although from personal experience, Nomchong has not experienced any discrimination, anecdotal stories are rife at the Bar. This type of discrimination is decreasing, however, and female barristers are being shown greater respect due to a combination of factors, including the sheer volume of women joining the Bar and the growing adoption of the Law Council of Australia’s Equitable Briefing Policy.

The Policy states that, in selecting counsel, lawyers and clients should identify and genuinely consider engaging female counsel in the relevant practice area.

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