Wellington Women Lawyers' Association (WWLA)

Overview:

Profession(s): Legal Profession
Scope: Regional - Wellington, New Zealand
Formed: 1983
Members: 300
Registration No.: 349889
Address: PO Box 118, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: 0064 4 471 6745
Email: info@wwla.org.nz
Website: www.wwla.org.nz

Description:

WWLA is an incorporated society and membership is open to all women who are associated with or have an interest in the law - whether they are lawyers, law students, legal executives, academics or working in other fields.

Mission/Aims:

To work for equal opportunity and advancement of women in the study and practice of law
To work for the refrom of the law and its administration, and for the advancement of social policy, in order to promote and protect the interests of women
To promote the use of women's skills in law
To facilitate social contact amongst Members
To work for and promote the establishment of associations with similar objects throughout New Zealand
To affiliate with and maintain connections with national and international associations with similar objects

Principal Activities:

The Committee meets monthly and organises a range of activities for members and non-members, including lunchtime seminars, lectures and social outings.
We produce an action-packed bi-monthly newsletter.
Where political issues arise that are of interest or concern to our members or to women generally, we comment where the committee considers such a course is warranted. In doing so, we consult as widely as possible.
We are involved in nationwide networking with other women lawyers associations.
We engage with law students and legal professionals students through student-focussed functions and by speaking to intakes about our association and aims.
We keep work referral lists to assist members of the public with enquiries about finding suitably experienced lawyers.
We refer member contact details to the Ministry of Women's Affairs for those women who wish to be considered for Board or other statutory appointments.
We provide a mentoring programme to link senior women practitioners (5 years or more) with less experienced or newly admitted practitioners.
We keep a list of practitioners with experience in employment law who are willing to provide preliminary advice on a confidential, pro bono basis to members who are encountering employment problems, including sexual harassment, in the workplace.
We have a subcommittee that takes an active role in monitoring the development of legislation and policy that impacts on women. With the input of members with relevant experience, we make regular submissions to parliamentary select committees.

Member Benefits:

Socialising, networking and collegiality amongst women lawyers in Wellington
Support for newly admitted practitioners and women experiencing employment difficulties
Information on law and policy developments through the WWLA newsletter, and opportunities to be involved in developing submissions
Ongoing seminars, workshops and lectures on topics of interest to women in the law
A platform for lobbying and advocacy activities associated with promoting and protecting the interests of women

Verification Criteria:

In order to practice law in New Zealand, a lawyer must be enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand under the Law Practitioners Act 1982 and must hold a current New Zealand Law Society Practising Certificate. Practising certificates are issued by the district law society of the district in which the lawyer will practice. It is an offence to act as a barrister or as a solicitor without a current practising certificate.