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Timeline of AWLA’s history

This history project is dedicated to the determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment of the trailblazing women lawyers who have broken barriers and paved the way for a more equitable profession, creating lasting change for future generations.

We would love to hear from you if you can contribute to this record of AWLA’s history. We intend for this timeline to be a living document, if you have any updates, amendments, or stories to share, please get in touch by emailing admin@awla.nz.

Pre 1984

The idea of forming a women lawyers group developed out of the environment created by the Women and the Law Legal Research Foundation which was established in 1977. The Foundation ran successfully for a number of years as a lobbying and pressure group. The June 1985 AWLA newsletter recorded: “In 1977 there was a great deal of legislation going through Parliament which affected women. This was mainly as a result of the political pressures exerted on the National and Labour Governments by the women’s movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Legislation on which submissions were made included the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Bill, the Equal Pay Act, and amendments to the Electoral Act.” Read more
01

1977

1984

Established in 1984, AWLA aimed to support women in law by advocating for equal opportunities, promoting career advancement, and creating a professional network to address industry challenges. Read more
02

1984

President: Helen Melrose | Vice-President: Hon. Margaret Wilson DCNZM

1984

1985

By 1985, AWLA grew to 160 members and were addressing issues such as sexual harassment, new birth technologies, providing legal assistance in objections to the Springbok Tour, and insurance exclusions, while supporting women's advancement in the legal profession. Read more
03

1985

President: Helen Melrose | Vice-President: Christine Nolan

1985

1986

President: Shayne Mathieson

1987

AWLA highlighted concerns including the representation of women in law, cervical cancer treatment, and violence against women. They hosted panels, critiqued media coverage, and advocated for legal reforms. Read more
05

1987

President: Shayne Mathieson

1987

1988

AWLA reflected on the progress of women in law and the difficulties faced. A documentary on Ethel Benjamin was featured, along with Benjamin’s historic defence of advertising. Read more
06

1988

President: Phillipa Muir | Vice-President: Tricia Fordyce

1989

A second Working Party reviewed the ADLS’s 1981 report on women in law, highlighting ongoing issues such as childcare and pay disparities. AWLA criticised the slow progress and called for urgent reform to address concerns on the front page of the NZ Herald. Read more
07

1989

President: Phillipa Muir

1990

President: Phillipa Muir

1990

1991

A group of Auckland lawyers, including AWLA members, established the Minor Proceedings Crèche on Bankside Street. This was to cater for the need of practitioners, particularly women, to have childcare options in walking distance of central city law firms. Read more
09

1991

President: Denese Bates KC

1992

President: Denese Bates KC

1993

President: Denese Bates KC | Vice-President: Prue Crossan

1994

Hon. Dame Judith Potter established the Women’s Consultative Group to promote and advocate for the advancement of women in law. It prepared reports, made submissions on bills, and advised the NZLS. Read more
12

1994

President: Hon. Judge Kate Davenport KC

1995

President: Hon. Judge Kate Davenport KC

1996

AWLA hosted a symposium attended by over 300 women to mark the centenary since women could be admitted as lawyers, made submissions in two prominent cases, and challenged the judiciary perpetuating rape myths.  Read more
14

1996

President: Hon. Judge Ema Aitken | Vice-President: Helen Rice

1997

President: Hon. Judge Ema Aitken

1998

President: Hon. Judge Ema Aitken | Vice-President: Usha Patel

1999

President: Cathy Rodgers

2000

AWLA started its mentoring programme to support women in law by pairing junior lawyers with experienced practitioners, and established the Margaret Wilson Scholarship. Read more
18

2000

President: Alex McDonald | Vice-President: Treasa Dunworth

2001

President: Alex McDonald | Vice-President: Vivienne Crawshaw KC

2001

2002

Gender disparity in the legal profession was challenged by AWLA in the media. Read more
20

2002

President: Lady Deborah Chambers KC | Vice-President: Karen Price

2002

2003

AWLA raised concerns about Crown Solicitor warrant appointment practices, submitted on the Judicial Matters and Supreme Court Bills, and ran a seminar on achieving work/life balance. Read more
21

2003

President: Karen Price | Vice-President: Hon. Justice Mary Peters

2004

AWLA advocated for amendments to the Crimes Act, and raised concerns about the low representation of women and inequality in the workforce and presenting at legal conferences. Read more
22

2004

President: Hon. Justice Mary Peters | Vice-President: Jennifer Caldwell

2005

AWLA focused on flexible working arrangements, childcare tax rebates, and submitted on key legislative bills, including the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Hours) Amendment Bill. Read more
23

2005

President: Jennifer Caldwell | Vice-President: Linda Robinson

2006

AWLA made submissions on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill and unsuccessfully sought intervener status in a relationship property case. Read more
24

2006

President: Jennifer Caldwell | Vice-President: Tammy McLeod

2007

AWLA consulted with the Law Commission on the partial defence of provocation, hosted a seminar on flexible work practices, reported on the gender disparity in legal directories, and Dame Silvia Cartwright presented the inaugural Dame Silvia Cartwright lecture. Read more
25

2007

President: Tammy McLeod

2008

The Hon. Margaret Wilson was the guest speaker at the annual Christmas dinner in November.
26

2008

President: Tammy McLeod

2009

AWLA submitted on the Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill, recommending amendments for better protection and support. AWLA reported on the ongoing income disparity between women, especially Māori and Pasifika. Read more
27

2009

President: Sarah Carstens | Vice-President: Rachael Reed KC

2010

AWLA advocated for legislation to address issues disproportionately facing women, submitted on amendments to the Victim Rights Act, and hosted events with prominent speakers on women's advancement. Read more
28

2010

President: Sarah Carstens | Vice-President: Rachael Reed KC

2011

AWLA commenced a research report into the reasons why women were leaving the legal profession, and submitted on changes to trial processes for child witnesses. Read more
29

2011

President: Rachael Reed KC | Vice-President: Maria Taylor

2012

AWLA prioritised research into why women weren’t progressing to partnership in large firms, and leaving the profession. AWLA advocated for the right to breastfeed in court, and ran a seminar encouraging women litigators to pursue speaking roles in court. Read more
30

2012

President: Rachael Reed KC

2012

2013

AWLA submitted on the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill, launched an initiative with resources and advice surrounding parental leave and returning to work, and co-sponsored and featured in the "WomenPower" TV series. Read more
31

2013

President: Angela Hansen | Vice-President: Angela Stafford

2014

AWLA's research exploring the structural and cultural factors hindering the career progression of women was launched. Read more
32

2014

President: Angela Hansen

2014

2015

AWLA launched AUT's report on barriers to women's career progression in law firms, emphasising structural issues, family responsibilities, and the need for flexible work practices. Read more
33

2015

President: Angela Stafford | Vice-President: Kristin Bradley

2016

AWLA's theme of the year was "speak up, take action," focusing on advocacy for women lawyers. Events included a criminal justice forum, and career panels about managing parental leave. Read more
34

2016

President: Angela Stafford | Vice-President: Janna McGuigan

2017

AWLA supported the Pay Equity Coalition Auckland’s submissions on the Pay Equity Settlement Bill, AWLA hosted events on career progression and confidence, and held the inaugural student mooting competition. Read more
35

2017

President: Janna McGuigan | Vice-President: Alicia Murray

2018

AWLA advocated for #metoo and #timesup, supported Pay Equity Coalition Auckland’s submissions on the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, and hosted events on sexual harassment and work-life balance. Read more
36

2018

President: Alicia Murray | Vice-President: Coroner Tracey Fitzgibbon

2019

AWLA submitted on the Abortion Legislation Bill, advocating for inclusive language, safe access, removing gestational limits and removing a medical practitioner’s ability to object on moral grounds. AWLA wrote to NZLS raising concerns over the questions asked in interviews for candidates applying to practise on their own account. Read more
37

2019

President: Alicia Murray | Vice-President: Kellie Arthur

2020

AWLA focused on the future, supported the launch of a report on the culture of the profession, advocated for women’s representation, hosted discussions on Pacific representation and flexible work, and submitted on NZLS’s proposed changes to address how firms deal with harassment and bullying. Read more
38

2020

President: Laura Carter | Vice-President: Josie McNaught

2021

AWLA launched a women’s partnership promotion tracker, advocated for automatic safe areas around abortion facilities, submitted on digital communication legislation, and hosted events on career development and court accessibility. Read more
39

2021

President: Laura Carter | Vice-President: Josie McNaught

2022

AWLA focused on reflection, reconnecting and renewal, launching a scholarship for law students, conducting a parental leave survey, and supporting Afghan judges and Fijian university students. Read more
40

2022

President: Anoushka Bloem | Vice-President: Simone Arcand

2023

AWLA advocated for diversity and equity in law. It challenged the lack of representation at a legal event for students and advocated for the victims of sexual harassment and violence in the profession. AWLA hosted a range of informative events and fundraised for its New Law Student Scholarship.

Read more

41

2023

President: Anoushka Bloem | Vice-President: Karlene O'Halloran

2024

AWLA celebrated its 40th year while continuing its advocacy for gender equity and legal reform. Key initiatives included supporting anti-stalking legislation, promoting tikanga Māori in legal education, challenging workplace menopause stigma, advocating for women’s safety, and parental leave transparency in the legal profession.   Read more
42

2024

President: Karlene O'Halloran | Vice-President: Josie McNaught