Together Better - Hall & Wilcox
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Better together Diversity & Inclusion year in review smarterlaw.com.au 1
A message from Mental health and wellbeing
the Co-Chairs of our Focusing on the personal wellbeing of our people has
Diversity & Inclusion always been a priority for the firm, and this was more
Committee vital than ever during the pandemic.
After saying goodbye to an Hugh van Cuylenburg
extraordinary 2020, we have been Source: theresilienceproject.com.au
able to reflect and consider the
many challenges we have faced
as individuals, communities and
as a firm. The impacts have made
their way into our homes and in the
workplace, changing the way we
connect and interact.
Australia saw gender disparity
highlighted across industries, an
increase in caring responsibilities for
many parents, significant disruption
across the workforce and a spotlight
on working from home and flexible Feelings of anxiousness, helplessness and ‘Mindfulness in May’, recognised October
working. loneliness may have been amplified due as Mental Health Month, and continued
to lockdowns during the COVID-19 crisis. to foster conversations to help eliminate
With so much happening, we thought We wanted to ensure we were providing a the stigma associated with talking about
we would take a look at some of the holistic approach to wellbeing with a range mental health.
issues that were in focus at Hall & of initiatives – so we launched the Hall &
Wilcox. Wilcox ‘Be Well Program’ for 2020 with a
As Co-Chairs of the Diversity & focus on resilience and mental health.
Inclusion Committee and as Partners The program also covers women’s and
at Hall & Wilcox, we have challenged men’s health, drug and alcohol awareness
our own thinking about what and many other aspects of health –
makes an inclusive workplace. Our psychological, physical and psychosocial.
commitment to creating an inclusive We wanted to encourage people to feel We supported R U OK? Day on 10
workplace culture extends beyond comfortable to talk about any of these September. Partner Kathryn Howard is a
office locations. It’s about who we are issues. Having these on the agenda is part long-standing director of R U OK? and is
as a firm and how we have prided of our role in helping our people start and passionate about creating a community in
ourselves on maintaining connection continue important conversations with one which everyone has someone to support
to our clients and our community. another to stay connected and supported. them. In an article published that day,
Thinking differently and continually Kathryn reminded us to: ‘Reach out to
The Resilience Project was one of the
evolving in how we deliver services each other for genuine conversation,
key events in our Be Well Program.
to our clients is more important now wherever we may be located, and really
This included a session on Discovering
than ever before. We also continue listen to and support each other through
Resilience with Hugh van Cuylenberg.
to reflect on what considerations are this upheaval. We are human beings who
needed to drive progress within the This was followed by a ‘Digital wellbeing need each other, now more than ever.’
legal profession. We have a role to series’ of short videos to keep providing
We recognised that it was incredibly
play and look forward to what we can ongoing support. In addition, we launched
important for our people to take a break
achieve in 2021! ‘Stay well | work well’, a collection of
during the second half of 2020 to recharge
resources (updated weekly), including
and refresh. In May 2020, we launched our
webinars, videos, online training, articles
COVID annual leave policy. Anyone taking
and other resources to support health
two weeks’ annual leave between May and
and wellbeing and to help people to
31 December could claim reimbursement
work productively from home and other
of up to $300 spent in rural and regional
work locations.
areas (particularly bushfire and drought-
We continue to recognise the importance of impacted areas). With people being unable
mental health and promote awareness and (particularly in Victoria) to travel to rural
Rachael Arnold and James Morvell
support of mental health issues throughout and regional areas, we updated this to
the year. For example, we supported supporting Australian small businesses.
2
Flexibility We were again proud to support
CareerTrackers, an organisation
When the COVID lockdowns began in established with the goal of creating
mid-March 2020, we were well-placed to pathways and support systems for
transition to full remote working within 24 Indigenous young adults to attend and
hours. The firm already had the technology, graduate from university, with industry
training and flexible work culture to experience and professional futures.
‘go remote’ seamlessly. We hosted our second intern in our
We are planning how we will work in Newcastle office. The success of the
As our Managing Partner the future and setting up our firm to program has been recognised by
accommodate this. Our HW Evolve project employers, governments and, most
Tony Macvean told The
will consider how we can combine the importantly, Indigenous communities
Australian Financial Review: best of flexible working with the benefits of throughout Australia.
‘We already had a flexible collaborating in the office. We are engaging
Reconciliation Australia marked 20
working culture, with many all of our people in helping us to shape
years of a movement for Reconciliation,
of our people working the future of work at Hall & Wilcox.
including greater acknowledgement of
flexibly, including part- Maintaining a healthy blend between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights
time or full-time working work and personal life during COVID has to land and sea; understanding of the
been a significant challenge. The most impact of government policies and frontier
remotely/from home.
significant factors identified in our mid-year conflicts; and an embracing of stories
Our physical office will survey (June 2020) were home schooling, of Indigenous success and contribution.
continue to be important separating work and personal life and
We hosted a webinar with Professor
for learning, collaboration, being unable to switch off.
Megan Davis, Pro Vice-Chancellor
connection and socialising, Through open communication, we have Indigenous UNSW and a Professor of Law,
and essential in some gained a better understanding of the UNSW Law. Professor Davis currently
roles. We think that, in the impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing serves as a United Nations expert with
of our people, and we continue to provide the UN Human Rights Council’s Expert
future, people will be even
as much support as possible. We are Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous
more empowered to decide working with consultants to support our peoples. Nathan Kennedy hosted the
where they work, based on people to develop the skills they need to webinar, and asked Professor Davis to
what will be most effective.’ maintain a healthy balance to work and life, share her views on important issues of
particularly when physical boundaries Reconciliation, storytelling and truth, the
of home/office are blurred. Uluru Statement from the Heart and the law.
We also celebrated Flexible Working
Day on 10 June and took part in a virtual First Nations: towards
summit ‘Reframing Flexibility’. Partner Fay
Calderone is a Flexible Work Ambassador
Reconciliation and truth
and participated in a panel discussion at telling
the summit on ‘The Gender Flex Gap’ —
We launched our Reconciliation Action Plan
the difference in the number of men and
(RAP) in March 2020. Our RAP provides
women who are able to, and choose to,
us with many opportunities to continue
work flexibly — and what we can do to
to support our relationships with First
address this in our community, workplace
Nations people, which includes providing Professor Megan Davis
and home.
workplace experience, through pro bono
community and engagement relationships We maintain that we are all In This
and also in supporting Aboriginal and Together; every one of us has a role to
Torres Strait Islander businesses through play when it comes to Reconciliation,
our supply chain. and in playing our part we collectively
build relationships and communities that
value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples, histories and cultures.
We hosted a webinar recognising NAIDOC
week – held in November due to COVID
(usually held in July) – where our guests,
P&C Manager Sam Hooper and her Robyn Ayers, CEO Arts Law, and Emilia
WFH buddy Gus Galatis, Australian Art Projects, shared the
Diversity & Inclusion year in review 3
Gender equality
Our focus on gender Celebrating International
diversity is about Women’s Day
Emilia Galatis empowering all of our To celebrate International Women’s Day
people by actively (IWD), we published seven stories from
seven of the firm’s amazing women:
addressing barriers to Natalie Bannister, Stephanie Driscoll,
gender equality to create Jacqui Barrett, Kelli Stallard, Ahranee
an inclusive culture for Vijayaseelan, Katrina Reye and Liz Meyer.
all genders. The theme of IWD2020 (8 March) was
‘Each for equal: an equal world is an
We are recognised as an Employer enabled world’, and we focused our
of Choice for Gender Equality by the celebrations on the achievements of
Robyn Ayers
Workplace Gender Equality Agency women in startups. In Melbourne, just
(WGEA). We challenge the status quo before the first COVID lockdown, we
when it comes to gender equality. heard from guest speakers Tessa Court
(IntelligenceBank), Kate Johansson
We continued our support for the
(KOJA Health), Sallie Jones (Gippsland
Diversity Council Australia, and
Jersey) and Natasha Mandie (corporate
were delighted to carry on our close
advisor and investor). In Sydney, our
relationship with DCA during its
Danielle Davis, Kate Gould, planned IWD event just two days
10-year anniversary in 2020.
Courtney Daunt later could not go ahead due to the
We ran, co-presented and sponsored escalating pandemic.
importance of supporting the legal rights a number of events through 2020 to
of Indigenous artists. We also learnt more facilitate discussion on these issues Promoting gender
about how we are supporting Indigenous and to create a focused conversation
communities with pro bono work in wills in areas where gender inequities are
equitable briefing
clinics. experienced. Here is a snapshot of We continue to endorse the Law
some of these events. Council of Australia’s Gender Equitable
Also in 2020, we were delighted to begin our
Briefing policy, and to advocate
pro bono relationship with the Wik and Kugu
Aurukun Art Centre in far north Queensland
Supporting women and for gender equality within the legal
profession. The policy provides a
under the ‘Adopt a Lawyer’ program with children escaping family straight forward way in which to
Arts Law, Australia’s independent national violence consciously consider briefing or
community legal centre for the arts. Under
Wik and Kugu Arts Centre selecting women barristers.
the agreement, we have committed toAurukun Shire Council Together with our client Parramatta
39 Kang Kang Road
Art QLD 4871Mission, we held a virtual panel
provide pro bono legal services to theAURUKUN, We hosted a panel discussion in
T: 07 4060 6843
Centre, particularly in employment, corporate event to raise vital funds for Thelma
E: arts@aurukun.qld.gov.au February 2020, ‘Gender Equitable
governance, intellectual property, contracts Brown Cottage, an accommodation Briefing: in conversation with
and debt recovery. program for women and their children representatives of the legal profession’.
Artwork Certificate escaping domestic and family violence. This drew on perspectives from the Bar
The panel included Georgie Dent – and the Bench, as well as from clients
journalist, editor, author and executive and private practice. Partner Anastasia
director of The ParentHood, a not-for- Coutsouvelis facilitated the discussion
profit parent advocacy group; and Lisa with Michelle Britbart QC, barrister; The
Annese, CEO of the Diversity Council Honourable President Justice Chris
Australia and regular media contributor, Maxwell AC, Victorian Court of Appeal;
including to the ABC’s The Drum. and Maria Palamara, Senior Legal
Counsel of WorkSafe Victoria.
Georgie and Lisa discussed what we
all can do to move towards eradicating
violence against women and children.
Partner Fay Calderone hosted the
event and wrote an illuminating article
Judy PamtooTitled:
nda Bushfire
about why now is the time to help.
Artist: Judy Pamtoonda
1977
Wik-Mungkan
Walangal
4
Apalech
Bushfire
Support for parents LGBTIQ+ inclusion Recognition for Diversity
and carers We participate in the LGBTIQ+ Professional & Inclusion initiatives
Services Interfirm Networking cohort.
We provide different options to support We were honoured to win the ‘Excellence
We continue to be the pro bono legal
families, for example taking personal in Workplace Culture, Diversity & Inclusion’
provider to the Victorian Pride Centre,
(carers’) leave, using annual leave, working category at the Hunter Business Awards.
allowing us to share our legal expertise
flexible hours or reducing workload during It was great to be recognised for our
and demonstrate our commitment to
COVID to support parents with home- workplace culture throughout the legal
celebrating and protecting equality. The
schooling. We also provide Eldercare and industry and in this case within Newcastle,
Centre seeks to become and create the
Childcare kits with useful resources. where one of our seven offices around
largest LGBTIQ+ community hub in the
Australia is located. The award celebrates
southern hemisphere.
a business in the Newcastle-Hunter
region that has implemented strategies
Providing accessibility and initiatives to create a stimulating and
During the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation supportive workplace environment that
and diminished services have greatly has a positive impact on its people and the
impacted the lives and wellbeing of people organisation as a whole.
with disabilities within Australia and across
We were also selected, nationally, as
the world. It is more important than ever for
an Employer of Choice by Australasian
us to raise awareness about the rights of
Lawyer. Among the criteria for this award
people with disability.
was demonstrating a genuine commitment
One of our events in 2020 was a panel to creating and maintaining a diverse and
discussion for International Day of People inclusive workplace.
with Disability. Our guests included Kirsten
Deane, Dr Dinesh Palipana and Tricia
Malowney OAM. The panellists shared
their own stories, as well as discussing
how they think COVID-19 has affected
people with disability.
Photos of Briele Heath’s daughters – Albert Ponte, Anna Bailey, Bronwyn
Ceci (top) and Anja (bottom) Scott and Clare Campbell
Nathan Kennedy
enjoying a virtual art and home
economics class
2020 was the year we introduced the
Hall & Wilcox Virtual School Holiday
Program to support parents/carers. We
worked with an external provider, Kids Tricia Malowney OAM
Unlimited, to deliver the program.
With the closure of childcare centres in
Victoria for six weeks, we were quick to
realise that our people with young children
may have been struggling to juggle work
and family during this time. To provide
support, we communicated several Kirsten Deane
options, including taking personal (carers’)
leave if available, using annual leave,
working flexible hours or reducing their
workload during this period.
To help families stay active during lockdown,
we ran Family Fitness virtual classes, in
partnership with PR Performance. Dr Dinesh Palipana Bronwyn Scott accepting the award
Diversity & Inclusion year in review 5
Community
1 2
3
1. Left to right: As part of our
contribution to bushfire relief work
across Australia, we worked pro
bono with Magda Szubanski and
Will Connolly on a Go Fund Me
page, which raised more than
$150,000 to assist with ongoing
mental health support for bushfire
victims and their families.
2. We were delighted to be involved
in the Mothers’ Day Classic, Sleep
at the G and a number of other
charitable events to support health
and community wellbeing.
3. We learned how to improve
our mental wellbeing through
a ‘Your Mindset’ webinar with
Chelsea Pottenger, Director at EQ
Consulting Co.
4 5
4. Leanne Greville and her son Alex
participating in the Mothers’ Day
Classic together.
5. We supported the Women’s T20
World Cup by hosting an event to
promote and purchasing 130 tickets
for our people, friends and family.
6 5. To give back to our communities,
we sourced client gifts from
businesses impacted by the 2020
bushfires.
Stay updated on all things
diversity, inclusion and
wellbeing by joining our
yammer page.
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