International recognition for top firm’s gender diversity

MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ leadership of gender diversity initiatives in the legal profession has again been recognised by the prestigious Euromoney Legal Media Group Asia Women in Business Law Awards.

The awards celebrate the Asia-Pacific region’s leading women lawyers and the advancement of gender equality in the legal industry, with firms from New Zealand, Australia and greater Asia competing to take top honours.

Three MinterEllisonRuddWatts partners have been named as finalists in their practice areas:

- Megan Richards for Labour and Employment

- Stacey Shortall for Dispute Resolution

- Janine Stewart for Litigation

The firm is also a challenger in the following national award categories:

Best in country Best gender diversity initiative Best mentoring programme Best national firm for women in business law

Firm awards are judged on the best initiatives for gender diversity, innovation, work-life balance, pro-bono work and talent management.

The firm’s Chair, Lloyd Kavanagh says:

"This is further recognition of some of our outstanding people, and builds on being named Law Firm of the Year last year."

"We’re committed to being the law firm of choice for New Zealand’s leading businesses, and one of the competitive advantages we have found is being inclusive of the best lawyers - whatever their backgrounds, experiences, cultures, genders and age.

"We have found the power of diversity, leveraged by a culture of collaboration, sets us apart. It creates greater levels of innovation and success for our clients. Encouraging diversity is not only the right thing to do, it’s also good business. Personally, that’s why I am a Champion for Change, and have been since its inception.

"Congratulations to our three partners who have been recognised for their individual leadership and excellence in their practice areas."

MinterEllisonRuddWatts is committed to diversity in all is forms and has a number of programmes that mentor and support women in law. Women account for 60 per cent of its workforce, 40 per cent of its board and 53 per cent of its people in leadership positions.

Champions for Change is an initiative that brings together leading Chairs and CEOs to advance inclusion and diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand, through individual leadership and collective impact.

Awards winners will be announced on 8 November 2018 at a gala dinner at the Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong.

ENDS

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