Freehills consultant Stephanie Pursley awarded 'Private or Corporate Lawyer Award 2007'
22 October 2007Former Freehills Partner, Stephanie Pursley was awarded the prestigious ‘Private or Corporate Lawyer Award’ at the NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards 2007 gala dinner held at The Hilton, Sydney on Friday 19 October 2007.
The annual Awards presentation instituted by Women Lawyers’ Association of New South Wales Incorporated, (the peak body representing women lawyers in NSW for the advancement of women in the legal profession), formally recognises outstanding women lawyers who have achieved excellence in their area of practice, while advancing opportunities for women in the law.
In speaking of this year’s awards, President of the Women Lawyers Association of NSW, Lee-May Saw said “The recipients of this year’s Awards showcase the outstanding versatility of women lawyers.”
In response to Stephanie’s award, Freehills CEO and Managing Partner Gavin Bell said,
“Stephanie has been instrumental in instigating and leading significant progress in advancing career opportunities for women at Freehills and I congratulate her on this outstanding achievement.”
“Stephanie has been an inspiring role model and mentor for so many women and men at the firm. She is an example of the role in which senior women in the profession can aspire,” Mr Bell said.
Stephanie has been a leader in the significant progress Freehills has made in ensuring fulfilling careers for women lawyers.
In her former role as Chair for the ‘Women at Freehills’ initiative, Stephanie displayed commitment to advancing opportunities for women, was a champion for significant organisational changes for women and a courageous advocate for flexibility and diversity.
Her advocacy was key in assisting Freehills to achieve the Law Society’s special award for flexibility in the workplace in 2006. In 1994 Stephanie established the ‘Women in Business’ networking forum providing opportunities for senior business women to meet and exchange views and knowledge. The Freehills Women in Business network has now grown to around 700 women in banking, telecommunications, retail, publishing, government, law and the judiciary.
Stephanie Pursley retired from the Freehills partnership in December 2006. She has remained in various initiatives with the firm since that time.
02 9322 4709