International law firm Bird & Bird demonstrates its ongoing commitment to increasing the representation of women in law by exceeding Law Council of Australia’s 30% Equitable Briefing Policy targets in 2023-2024.
The Policy, adopted by Bird & Bird Sydney in 2020, aims to increase the representation of women in the legal profession, especially in senior roles, by encouraging firms to brief or select female barristers whenever possible. It includes targets with the ultimate aim of briefing Australian women barristers in 30% of all briefs and paying at least 30% of the value of all brief fees.
In 2023-2024, Bird & Bird’s Sydney office surpassed this target in both the number of briefs and the fees paid to women barristers. This demonstrates the firm’s continued commitment to driving positive change within the legal profession by not only meeting expectations but actively working to set a new standard for equitable briefing, ensuring fair opportunities and representation for women barristers in Australia.
See below for a summary of the results:
- In 2023 – 2024, briefs to women barristers went up by 9% to 44%
- In 2023 – 2024, 40% of fees paid to women barristers, compared with 24% in 2022-2023
- 54% of junior counsel briefs to women barristers in 2023 – 2024, matching the results in 2022-2023
- In 2023 – 2024, 33% of senior counsel briefs to women barristers, up from 18% in 2022-2023
