By 1990, women made up 50 per cent of law school graduates in Victoria , but women were not represented in similar numbers at the Bar or in its senior ranks.

Women Barristers Association

In 1993, several women barristers met to discuss the establishment of the Women Barristers Association (WBA), the first of its kind in Australia.

" The WBA gave women a voice ." Judge Rachelle Lewitan (inaugural convenor of WBA)

"While some men resented us, there were also senior barristers who were very supportive of young women at the Bar, and took them under their wing, perhaps because they had daughters of whom they were very proud, and believed they should have the same opportunities as their sons." - Judge Susan Cohen

In 1998, the Victorian Bar Council released its Equality of Opportunity for Women at the Victorian Bar report by Rosemary Hunter and Helen McKelvie. The key findings revealed that women received disproportionately fewer briefs than men and were leaving the Bar earlier and in larger numbers than men.

"The research clearly shows that barriers to women's advancement at the Bar do exist and that further steps can be taken to achieve equality of opportunity," Neil Young QC , then chairman of the Victorian Bar Council.

Key Dates

1993 Women Barristers Association (Victoria) is established 1993   Susan Crennan QC becomes the first female chairman of the Victorian Bar Council 1996 First woman appointed to Supreme Court of Victoria (Justice Rosemary Balmford) 1997  First woman appointed to the Victorian Court of Appeal (Justice Susan Kenny) 1997  Australian Women Lawyers is established as the peak body for women lawyer associations throughout Australia

Susan Crennan QC, 1994Justice Rosemary BalmfordJustice Susan Kenny

Judge Susan Cohen, County Court of Victoria