The Women's Legal Service Victoria and the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation are pleased to announce the Inaugural Women's Legal Breakfast in recognition of the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
One in three Australian women has experienced physical violence, since the age of 15.
On average, at least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner in Australia.
The Melbourne Legal profession came together to support and raise funds for the vital work of the Women's Legal Service Victoria. Each year the Women's Legal Service Victoria assists more than 3500 women with expert legal advice and representation, education and capacity building programs. This work means that disadvantaged women can live free from violence and make informed choices about their relationships.
Coming together, the legal community raised over $10,000 for the Women's Legal Service Victoria.
Major sponsors for the event were The Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation, Norton Rose Fullbright and Monash University Law, with supporter sponsors King & Wood Mallesons and Hall & Wilcox. A number of other firms have also shown their support including, Baker McKenzie, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, DLA Piper, Herbert Smith Freehills and Russell Kennedy Lawyers.
Joanna Fletcher, CEO of Women's Legal Service Victoria said the money raised will help assist them to continue to expand their work representing women who have survived family violence.
"The breakfast will also bring together our friends and colleagues in the legal profession who are keen to engage with and contribute to the task of ending violence against women. A task that we know requires the whole of the community.”
Colin Biggers & Paisley Managing Partner Nick Crennan said he is proud to support the Women's Legal Service, survivors of family violence and advocate for societal change.
"Violence against women is widespread in the Australian and global community. As a legal practice we want to play a role in ending violence against women and in promoting and achieving gender equality."
The Honourable Marcia Neave AO, Commissioner of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and Adjunct Professor, Monash Law and Fiona McCormack, CEO of Domestic Violence Victoria gave keynote addresses.
For more information please contact
Anna Barnes, Communications Coordinator Women's Legal Service Victoria on 0422 609 224 or
anna@womenslegal.org.au
Linda Branton, Marketing Communications Manager Colin Biggers & Paisley on 02 8281 4594 or
linda.branton@cbp.com.au.
About the Women's Legal Service Victoria
Women's Legal Service Victoria is a not for profit organisation which has been providing free legal services to women since 1982. They work with and for women experiencing disadvantage to address legal issues arising from relationship breakdown or violence.
About the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation
Launched in 2015 the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation has a core focus on promoting and protecting the rights of women and children in Australia. We do this through an innovative mix of pro bono legal services, volunteering and charitable contributions.
About Colin Biggers & Paisley
Colin Biggers & Paisley was founded over a century ago. Today we are a legal practice with 70 partners and 470 employees. We are highly regarded for our expertise in construction, insurance, property, government, commercial litigation and dispute resolution, banking and finance, corporate and commercial, employment and safety, planning and environment, restructuring and insolvency, transport and logistics. We act for major corporations, financial institutions, insurance companies, government departments and individuals. We have both the capacity and the expertise to deliver on complex national and multinational projects.