President from 1986 to 1987
Shayne Mathieson graduated from university in 1979 and recalls a concerning introduction into the legal profession in a number of early job interviews.
One firm asked if she was on the pill, and another said they had employed a woman before, and she had left. Upon arrival to one, the interviewer commented that he thought she would
be a man.
Shayne was offered a job in a provincial city; however, they were concerned about when she
would have morning tea – either at 10 am with the women who worked as admin staff, or
with the lawyers (all men) at 10:15 am… That same day, Shayne accepted a role with
the Human Rights Commission.
Shayne went on to set up her own management consultancy partnership, Top Drawer
Consultants, in 1991. Amongst other projects. she and her partners worked on programmes
with around a dozen law firms to create a more inclusive culture for women. Her specialty
now focuses on preventing harassment and bullying in employment, helping to create more
respectful workplaces.
Reflecting on AWLA events which focused on the experiences of women in the profession,
Shayne recalls the significant impact of women being open about sharing mistakes and
learning to play to the strengths of women, rather than feeling that women have to take on
traditionally male attributes and styles of working.