The engagement of women in our firm is a business critical issue.
Over 25 years ago, King & Wood Mallesons (formerly Mallesons Stephen Jaques) appointed its first female partner - one of the very first Australian firms to do so. Today, 23% of our firm is owned and managed by women, and we are actively working to build a firm and a partnership which is sustainably gender-balanced. Our goal is to reflect the clients we serve and the communities of which we are part - as quickly as possible.
Within our gender diversity and flexibility strategies, we continue to implement policies and practices which enable our staff to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their gender or carer responsibilities (or any other difference). For instance, we offer qualifying staff who are primary carers between 14 and 18 weeks’ paid parental leave - amongst the best available in our industry.
Our Engaging Women Program, launched in 2007, embodies our ongoing commitment to achieving full and ongoing gender diversity and inclusion in all parts of our firm. In 2011, we were recognised as an Employer of Choice for Women by EOWA for the fifth consecutive year. In the 2010 Australasian Legal Business Employer of Choice survey, we were the only national law firm to attain gold status for our workplace policies.
The Engaging Women program promotes the career advancement of its participants, through the sharing of experiences, insights and ideas between our partners and staff, our clients, and community members. It comprises activities and events throughout the year in each of our Australian centres and in Hong Kong. These provide an opportunity for Mallesons staff to hear from and interact with high profile and successful leaders - particularly women - in business as well as public and non-profit sectors.