Registration opens

Opening remarks from the Chairperson

Sabrina Muck, Senior Lawyer, Waitemata Community Law Centre

KEYNOTE SESSION – Leading with purpose and resilience

Olympic gold medalist and canoe paddling champion Lisa Carrington shares how living with purpose and overcoming adversity shapes how she leads and succeeds in this inspiring keynote.

• How to take ownership as a leader
• Leading with a clear vision and purpose
• The importance of people and the challenge of interdependence

Lisa Carrington, New Zealand Olympic Gold Medalist & 5 x World Canoe Paddling Champion

PANEL: Raising the bar: Career advice from industry trailblazers

Be inspired by an incredible line-up of female leaders who are making a mark in the legal sector. In this engaging panel, hear from successful women who have smashed through the glass ceiling and will discuss:

• How to overcome unconscious bias and indirect discrimination
• Breaking through the boys club network and developing your client base
• Overcoming the challenges of traditional work models
• Advice for being taken seriously in a corporate environment
• How to build your personal brand to become successful in the legal sector

Panellists:
Vivienne Crawshaw QC

Tiana Epati, Principal, Rishworth Wall & Mathieson / President, NZ Law Society

Sooyun Lee, Special Counsel, Bell Gully

Marcia Murray, Crown Counsel / Tumuaki Wahine (Co-President), Crown Law Office / Te Hunga Roia Maori o Aotearoa

Moderator:

Sabrina Muck, Senior Lawyer, Waitemata Community Law Centre

Morning refreshments & networking break

How to successfully navigate pay discussions

Gender pay inequity exists at all levels of the legal profession. This session will provide you with the confidence to negotiate your remuneration while meeting the needs of your organisation.

• How to prepare for the conversation to get the outcome you want
• Understanding your compensation expectations, incentives and career progression
• Alternative compensation models that value performance and outcomes

Karen Kemp, Partner, Anthony Harper

Overcoming unconscious bias in client management

How can leaders make a conscious effort in their own roles to be more inclusive? This session will discuss:

• How does unconscious bias affect business performance?
• How to address and communicate issues of unconscious bias in client distribution
• Changing organisational processes to avoid potential bias

Kate Cornege, Partner, Tompkins Wake

Networking lunch

Success story – Career advice from a legal trailblazer

Hear from a respected industry leader as she reflects upon key victories in her journey to the top, secrets learned along the way and the courageous strength that moved her forward. In this session, [speaker] will share how she navigated her way to the top of her career.

• Advice for achieving balance between professional and family life
• Successful strategies to build your credibility
• How to use your position to influence change
• Opportunities and setbacks: what would you do differently?

Melissa Anastasiou, General Counsel, Spark New Zealand

PANEL: Leading as a champion of change

The advancement of women lawyers begins with leaders paving the way for change in a male-dominated industry. What practical actions can leaders do to encourage diversity?

• What does an inclusive culture look like and how can firms improve?
• Overcoming the cultural barriers to achieve equality in the workplace
• Identifying common mistakes in communication
• Challenging misconceptions about what it means to be a successful lawyer

Panellists:

Jania Baigent, Partner, Simpson Grierson
Malcolm Crotty, Partner, Russell McVeagh
Catriona Grover, Partner and Board Member, Kensington Swan
Andrew Poole, Chief Executive, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Jaya Prasannan, GM – Corporate Services & General Counsel, NZ Compare

Moderator:

Sabrina Muck, Senior Lawyer, Waitemata Community Law Centre

Afternoon tea

Leveraging the value of mentors to advance your career

Receiving tailored advice through mentorship is a useful resource when navigating career pathways and overcoming challenges. How do you make the most out of mentorships? This session will discuss:

• Best practices for mentorship in the workplace and where to find a mentor
• Creating networks within the industry
• Coaching and mentoring to assist with career development and planning
• Supporting the next generation: how to be a role model to younger peers

Tracey Cross, Partner, DLA Piper

PANEL: Cultivating an inclusive and supportive workplace

How can law firms create an inclusive culture that embraces diversity? This panel will discuss:

• How have firms implemented successful diversity and inclusion initiatives?
• Identifying, attracting and developing potential talent
• Creating career pathways to support women in leadership
• How to promote awareness and support for ethnic, cultural, and gender equality in the workplace

Panellists:
Marija Batistich, Partner, Kensington Swan
Ronni Cabraal, Employment Relations Manager and Legal Counsel, The University of Auckland
Ophir Cassidy, Principal, Manukau Law
Richard Greenaway, Chief Executive, Anderson Lloyd
Nick Wells, Chief Executive Partner (Hoa Rangapū Whakarae), Chapman Tripp

Moderator:

Sabrina Muck, Senior Lawyer, Waitemata Community Law Centre