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:
- Achieve justice and equality for all women;
- Drive further understanding and support for the legal rights of all women;
- Identify, highlight and eradicate discrimination against women inherent in the legal system and in the community generally;
- Advance equality for women in the legal profession;
- Create and enhance awareness of the contribution of women to the practice and development of law; and
- Provide a professional and social network for women lawyers.
OUR PATRON
Susan Mary Kiefel AC
The Patron of Australian Women Lawyers (AWL) is the Hon. Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, Susan Kiefel AC.
Susan Mary Kiefel was appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia in January 2017. At the time of her appointment she was a Justice of the High Court of Australia, having been appointed to that office in September 2007.
At the time of her appointment to the High Court she was a judge of the Federal Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island.
She served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1993–94 before joining the Federal Court.
She was admitted to the Queensland Bar in 1975 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel, in 1987.
Chief Justice Kiefel served as a part-time Commissioner of the Australian Law Reform Commission from 2003 to 2007.
She has a Masters of Laws degree from Cambridge University.
Chief Justice Kiefel was appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2011.
She was elected a titular member of the International Academy of Comparative Law in June 2013 and was elected an Honorary Bencher of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn in November 2014.
