Connect. Support. Engage.

The Women Lawyers Association of the ACT is a not-for-profit promoting the interests of women lawyers in the ACT

ABOUT US

The Women Lawyers Association of the ACT Inc (WLA ACT) is a not-for-profit organisation providing networking for and promotion of the interests of women lawyers in the ACT.

OBJECTS

The objects of WLA ACT are to:

  • to provide support and information to women in the legal profession;

  • to represent, advocate for and promote the interests of women in the legal profession;

  • to provide a common meeting ground for women in the legal profession;

  • to foster the growth of a corporate spirit among women in the legal profession;

  • to provide opportunities for the development and advancement of women in the legal profession;

  • to encourage and advocate for the improvement of diversity in the legal profession;

  • to participate in the reform of the law and the administration of the law particularly as affecting women and children;

  • to participate in other matters of interest and relevance to the legal profession;

  • to cooperate and, where appropriate, collaborate with other entities for the advancement of women in the law and women more broadly; and

  • to promote the objects of the association in any manner the committee considers appropriate, and to do things incidental or conducive to the attainment of these objects.

The WLA ACT is active across a range of fronts including policy development, hosting networking events and breakfast seminars.

For more information, please feel free to contact us or visit our Facebook page.

WLA ACT Committee

2024/25 Committee Members

Executive

President

Annabel Griffin

Vice President

Louise Parry

Secretary

Amanda Garside

Treasurer

Marionne Tolentino

Policy Subcommittee Co-Chair

Kirsty-Lee Coker

Steph Robbie

Communications Subcommittee Chair

Belinda Miller

Australian Women Lawyers Representative

Danielle Mildren

Membership Officer

Natasha Smith

What are the committee and sub-committees like?

Our committee and subcommittee members pride ourselves on being an inclusive and friendly network, qualities also reflected in our membership.  We work in different areas of the law and come from different backgrounds.  Some of us have a terrible weakness for puns.

All of us have a keen interest in promoting the interests of our members within our community and beyond.  We love being engaged with our members and are also active across a range of issues and platforms. The Committee meets monthly.

Policy Sub-committee

The Policy Sub-committee aims to:

  • promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession in the ACT; and

  • bring justice and social issues that affect women to the attention of WLA ACT members and the community.

We develop resources, programs and events directed to WLA ACT’s objects.

Communications Sub-committee

The mission of the Communications Subcommittee is to support the functions of the WLA ACT to promote the interests of women lawyers in the ACT. We do this in three core areas:

Connect – Support – Engage.

We connect with women lawyers in the ACT via the association’s social media, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

We support important policy initiatives of the association, as well as WLA ACT events throughout the year, by promoting events, organising invites, and capturing the highlights and important conversations arising from these events.

We engage members via the association’s many communications channels, including the website, social media, monthly emails to members, and the quarterly newsletter. We also engage the broader ACT legal profession by supporting the advocacy and policy work of WLA ACT. This includes providing assistance in drafting letters and other communications.

Events Subcommittee

The Events Subcommittee works with the general committee members to determine the calendar of events and activities throughout the year. Its hardworking members strategically organise, plan and coordinate with members of the judiciary and prominent women in the legal profession, as well as academics and women advocates to bring together exciting, diverse and informative events. 

We strive to make our events:

  • A celebration of the value of women in the legal profession;

  • A platform for networking, connecting and fostering relationships; and

  • A way to educate our members and the wider public, including CPD events.

A snapshot of our past events include:

  • Mentoring events

  • Networking events

  • Family focused events

  • Our annual Lawyers’ Pay and Conditions Survey

  • Our annual Law Week Dinner (in collaboration with the ACT Law Society)

  • Regular continuing professional development seminars

For more information on our past and upcoming events, please see out Events page.

 

Are you interested in getting involved with a WLA subcommittee?

Our statement of expectations for each of our sub-committees can be found at here. Email us at contact@wlaact.org.au. We would love to hear from you!

If you would like to join WLA, you can purchase membership online.