A McCullough Robertson project celebrating 100 years of women in law has now wound up, with plenty to celebrate.
McR Chief Operating Officer Kim Trajer said the 101 Women in Law online initiative was started in 2019 (101 years after the passing of the Women’s Legal Status Act) as a way of highlighting the depth of talent among female lawyers.
At the time, even though more women than men had been entering the profession for nearly two decades, women were under-represented in key roles and in private practice.
“Even though things were improving for women, the change was still slow, and we wanted to do something to create a movement and celebrate achievements,” Ms Trajer said.
“It was all about women supporting other women through storytelling.”
The initiative was largely prompted from a book called Women Kind by Dr Kirstin Ferguson and Catherine Fox.
Ms Trajer said there had been a theme in the workforce that it was important for women who climbed the corporate ladder to send the ladder back down for others to climb.
“The book effectively said: ‘forget the ladder, you need to throw down a fishing net’,” she said.
“We took that sentiment on board and the 101 initiative was a way of highlighting the stories and achievements of a lot of women lawyers in one place, as a catalyst to inspire women for the next century to come.”
The online site profiles around 430 successful female lawyers, who were each asked the same questions to give a consistent structure to the responses.
Though the project is now closed, the profiles will remain on the site along with a downloadable book, as a tribute to those who took part.
Ms Trajer said there had been signs of progress for women in law over the seven years of the initiative.
This included a five percentage points lift in the proportion of women lawyers in private practice (now at 52 percent).
Previously female lawyers tended to be in-house, working for government or in community roles.
“Progress is continuing but leadership in law is still dominated by men,” Mr Trajer said.
“There is also the challenge of retaining the women who are coming through and managing and understanding their needs in the profession.”
As well as some progress with female representation, over the course of the 101 project there had been an evolution in the words being used to describe what “diversity” meant to those profiled.
In the early days of the project, the typical responses provided by those profiled were acceptance, respect, belonging – reflecting a desire to be included and be at the table.
The key words have since evolved to representation, equity, empowerment and strength – reflecting increasing “agency” and influence. This is “progress to be recognised and proud of”.
McCullough Robertson has also been “walking the walk” on female representation in key roles.
It has had a deliberate focus and published target of 35 percent of women in leadership since 2021, which it achieved on the February 1, 2026, and is now ready for the next phase.
“In a law firm environment people need to feel that managing the pressures of private practice, and everything else going on in their life, is feasible and achievable,” Ms Trajer said.
“It is not just about targets but getting the balance right for everyone supported by the kinds of policies, flexibility and leadership commitment that make genuine gender balance and equitable careers possible.”
Closing off the 101 project coincides with the 2026 international themes for women around balancing the scales and the idea of “give to gain” through reciprocity, generosity and support.
“This feels like the right time to wind it up,” Ms Trajer said.
“There is a long way to go on these issues but the progress is evident, and the momentum is there. We are proud to have played a part in driving lasting change and amplifying the voices of women across the profession and we are confident something has been achieved by it.”
The site describes the 100-year journey of women in law like this:
The journey of women in Australia’s legal history is a captivating story of overcoming challenges and breaking barriers. From the early 20th century and trailblazers like Flos Greig and Ada Evans, to legislative milestones such as the Women’s Legal Status Act of 1918, each chapter in this story is marked by determination and progress. These women laid the foundation for today’s generation and will continue to inspire those who will shape the next century.
