Women’s Legal Service Victoria and the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation are pleased to collaborate once again on the Annual Women’s Legal Breakfast in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
This morning, the Melbourne legal profession came together to support and raise funds for the vital work of Women’s Legal Service Victoria. More than $13,000 was raised.
Each year Women’s Legal Service Victoria assists more than 3,000 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.
Gillian Triggs, former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, gave the keynote address, highlighting the role of women in the public arena and regression of the position of women in Australia.
The event’s major sponsors were the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation and Holmes List, with Hall & Wilcox, Holding Redlich and Lander & Rogers as supporter sponsors. A number of other commercial law firms have also shown their support including, Ashurst, Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Gadens and King & Wood Mallesons as well as the Leo Cussen Institute, Creative Family Law Solutions and Relationships Australia Victoria.
The event saw a significant increase in attendance on last year’s breakfast, indicating the high level of support both the community and corporate sectors have for putting an end to domestic and family violence.
One in three Australian women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15 and on average, at least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner in Australia.
Joanna Fletcher, CEO of Women’s Legal Service Victoria, said the money raised will enable them to expand their work representing women who have survived family violence.
“The breakfast brings 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 violence against women is a serious and widespread problem in Australia that impacts individuals, families and the whole community.
“We are particularly proud to continue to support the great work of Women’s Legal Services. The prevalence of violence against women in Australia is alarming. As a legal practice and as members of the community, we have an important role to play in ending this violence and protecting the rights of women and families.”
For More Information Please Contact
Emma Miller, Communications Manager, Women’s Legal Service Victoria on 03 8622 0647 or EmmaM@womenslegal.org.au
Linda Branton, Marketing Communications Manager, Colin Biggers & Paisley on 02 8281 4594 or linda.branton@cbp.com.au.
About Women’s Legal Service Victoria
Women’s Legal Service Victoria is a for-purpose 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 68 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.