About AWL

Our Vision:

Australian Women Lawyers Ltd.
(AWL) is a justice and equity champion advancing women within the legal profession and beyond.

Australian Women Lawyers Ltd.
(AWL) is a justice and equity champion advancing women within the legal profession and beyond.

Australian Women Lawyers Limited ACN 080 044 800 (AWL) was established on 9 September 1997, in Melbourne, Victoria. AWL is incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and is a company limited by guarantee.

AWL is governed by a board of directors comprising representatives from each State and Territory women lawyers association. Click here for further details about AWL’s board members.

The objects of AWL are to:

  1. Achieve justice and equality for all women;
  2. Drive further understanding and support for the legal rights of all women;
  3. Identify, highlight and eradicate discrimination against women inherent in the legal system and in the community generally;
  4. Advance equality for women in the legal profession;
  5. Create and enhance awareness of the contribution of women to the practice and development of law; and
  6. Provide a professional and social network for women lawyers.
VIEW AWL CONSTITUTION

OUR PATRON

The Hon Justice Jacqueline Gleeson

The Patron of Australian Women Lawyers (AWL) is the Hon. Justice Jacqueline Gleeson of the High Court of Australia

Jacqueline Sarah Gleeson was appointed to the High Court of Australia in March 2021.

At the time of her appointment, she was a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia, having been appointed to that position in April 2014. She has Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Sydney.

She was admitted as a solicitor in 1989 and practised as an employed solicitor at Bush, Burke & Company in Sydney from 1990 to mid-1991. She then practised as a barrister from mid-1991, leaving the Bar at the end of 2000.

From 2001 to 2003 she was General Counsel at the Australian Broadcasting Authority. From 2004 to 2006, she was a Senior Executive Lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor. She returned to the Bar in 2007 and was made Senior Counsel in 2012.

Her Honour is an Honorary Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.