Firm highly commended for Empowerment at Diversity Awards

Law firm highly commended for Empowerment at Diversity Awards 2016

Source: MinterEllisonRuddWatts

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Leading law firm MinterEllisonRuddWatts has been awarded Highly Commended in the Empowerment category at the prestigious Diversity NZ Awards, held last night at SkyCity. The award celebrates innovative responses to gender balance in the workforce.

The judges recognised the firm’s ‘Leading by Example’ initiative, which was created to empower females and inspire all staff by demonstrating that success can look different depending on who you are - and there is no one right way.

The firm’s initiative profiles strong female role models in the legal and business community, and also highlights some of the gender-related issues still present in the legal industry. Female leaders in the firm used their profile in the business world to encourage others, by speaking at conferences, seminars and in the media on diversity issues. The firm also provides support to various partner initiatives, including The Homework Help Club, Mother’s Project, authoring books and innovative approaches to flexible working.

People & Performance Director, Odette Wilson, says that the firm had set out to inspire others by adding weight to the diversity debate. "We wanted to enact change inside and outside of our organisation, through leadership, voice and action. We wanted people to notice our leadership, not be told about it. We are still on a journey ourselves, but looking forward to achieving more in the future."

Cathy Quinn, Chair of MinterEllisonRuddWatts said "The firm has a long and proud tradition of supporting women, and all our staff, to forge the careers and lives that they want. It is great to be recognised by the judges for empowering our people. The leading by example campaign was about taking that message wider than just our firm, to the legal and business community. We look forward to continuing to support all our staff and keep lending our voice to the diversity debate."

The firm congratulates New Zealand Police who won the Empowerment category and also the Supreme Award across all categories. We would also like to recognise all the other finalists and winners who are contributing to making New Zealand a better and more diverse place to work and live.

More information on the firm’s initiative can be found here

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