Life at Allens
Celebrating International Women's Day 2023
International Women's Day (IWD), which falls on 8 March, has a long history as a global movement for gender equality. Today it provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress we've made and consider what more we can be doing.
This year, we're exploring our people's experiences of equity and inclusion, because we know that impacts our culture, supports our people to be their best and delivers exceptional outcomes for our clients, people and communities.
We asked six of our people what equity and inclusion mean for them.
Catherine Macarounas, Associate, Chair of our ALLin Sydney Working Group
I think there is a general perception that LGBTIQ+ identifying people now have the same access to opportunities, especially in the wake of marriage equality.
Unfortunately, it is still the case for many LGBTIQ+ people that they don't have the same opportunity to live and exist in the world as their true, authentic selves. LGBTIQ+ people, especially trans and gender diverse people, still face discrimination, harassment and violence for merely existing.
An equitable world for LGBTIQ+ people means challenging and dismantling systems of oppression – including the gender binary – so that everyone can live authentically without fear of discrimination, harassment or violence.
To promote equity in the workplace, I encourage everyone to attend training sessions on LGBTIQ+ issues, add pronouns to your email signature, read the Allens Ally Guide and attend ALLin committee meetings and events. By doing so, you can help foster an environment where LGBTIQ+ people are valued and respected.
Visible allyship is important and it's also really important for me to be a visibly queer person in the workplace to show other queer people, especially women and non-binary people, that you can thrive by living authentically.
Virginia Dore, Lawyer
Equity is fundamentally important to me because I believe that our life experiences invariably impart different lessons and skills that help shape our identities and our strengths.
To me this means not only that nobody should feel the need to distance themselves from their context or experiences, but that an individual should be valued for the unique knowledge and skills they have gained because of those experiences.
An example of equity in my own life that has had a profound impact on me is Allens' use of the Rare Contextual Recruitment System. The use of Rare enabled Allens to look beyond my academic transcript and resume when applying for a clerkship and to take into account my background and individual circumstances as a mature aged student living independently and working throughout my time at university.
Throughout the interview process, it was clear that what I had previously thought made me a poor candidate 'on paper' (certainly not a HD average student by any means) were things that the firm really valued and was very interested in, such as the transferable skills I had learned through working in other roles and softer skills such as resilience and adaptability.
It might go without saying, but Allens viewing me 'as a whole' certainly changed my life for the better, as I am now proudly part of the Allens team.
Listen to Virginia's interview on the Allens Confidential podcast
Nikki O'Leary, Partner
To me, visibility is so important. When I started at Allens there were very few female partners, and even fewer of those female partners had children. That has definitely changed. Now Allens has more than 37% female partners, which is really important because it means there are visible role models and women showing that you do not have to sacrifice a career for a family or vice versa. Now being a senior role model at the firm, you make it easier for the next generation.
Darcy Doyle, Senior Associate
For me, an important part of equity and inclusion at Allens has been the changes to the parental leave policy.
I’ve had three kids while working at Allens and, for the third, had the benefit of 18 weeks' parental leave (which I took as a three month block when my son arrived and then a four day work week for another couple of months).
Having those early months to focus on my family’s needs, be present to support my wife and see my little ones grow made a huge difference and I’ll always be grateful to have had that opportunity.
Priya Chand, Associate, Women@Allens member, Cultural Awareness Network panellist
Diversity and inclusion celebrates the characteristics of what makes each individual who they are.
I think at Allens we create an inclusive environment which allows us to have respectful conversations and value diverse experiences, approaches and thinking.
For me, it starts with recognising that we all have lives and roles we play outside of work and allowing this to benefit our working environment.
Rikisha Phineasa, Intern, Allens First Nations internship program 2023
Working as a woman in the historically male dominated field of law can be daunting at times, especially given that I am both Indigenous and a woman. This was the case for me when I commenced my First Nations internship with Allens. I wanted to feel like I belonged in the office. I wanted to know I had a place in my practice group. I hoped to see equality and inclusivity around the firm. Fortunately, Allens delivered on every one of these aspects. When I first joined the Real Estate and Development Team, I met and worked beside many intelligent and lovely women. I was also grateful to have a female partner in our practice group; it was a comfort to know women were occupying many leadership roles. After finishing the internship, I had peace of mind knowing that if I ever worked for Allens, I would be joining the ranks of many great women. I would have a place, I would belong, I would be included.