There's no two ways about it—if you're an Australian woman lawyer aspiring for a seat at the head of the table, the odds stand more firmly in your favour if you pursue a career in-house. Women lawyers have climbed to the top of 38 out out of the 100 biggest companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, a success rate almost double that of their colleagues working towards partner positions in Australian law firms. For silks the numbers become even more dire, with women making up around one-quarter of barristers and just 9.5 per cent of Australian senior counsel and Queen's counsel identifying as women.
But what lies behind the disparity? In a recent interview with The Australian Financial Review, newly appointed Coca-Cola Amatil group counsel Betty Ivanoff suggests that companies are outperforming law firms when it comes to supporting women lawyers because they've been quicker to realise the value that gender balance can bring to a firm's strategic thinking and leadership. It may also be that companies value a broader set of skills than their law firm counterparts, giving younger women lawyers the chance to really show what they're made of and make a play for leadership positions while still relatively junior, rather than waiting in line for opportunities.
'In-house roles can be a lot more flexible and they often attract women because they generally offer a more hands-on and customer-facing environment, meaning you can get opportunities to shine and make an impact a lot earlier in your career than if you start out or are in mid-management ranks at a law firm,' said Ms Ivanoff, who began her career working at a top law firm before moving in-house.
For Magellan Group chief legal counsel Rachel Scanlon, the key to women's success in-house vis-a-vis at the firm hinges upon the different ways that each environment monitors and rewards performance. While many law firms are stuck in a system which equates hours logged with ability and potential, in-house departments take a more holistic approach identifying talent, she suggests.
'In-house you can strategically use your time to the best effect, so even if you can't work the longest hours, you can achieve success. In-house roles can be just as demanding but its a broader and different skill set,' she argues.
The full interview with both GCs can be found in The Australian Financial Review.
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