WLWA Mentoring Program

The WLWA Mentoring Program was established to support the retention, advancement, and wellbeing of women in the legal profession.

It has been developed in response to well-documented challenges including underrepresentation in senior roles, high attrition during early years of practice, and the career impact of parental leave or other professional interruptions.

The program provides structured, confidential mentoring relationships that offer guidance, connection, and space for professional reflection.

It is specifically designed for early-career women lawyers, returners to practice, and those seeking career clarity or support at pivotal stages.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

The program is designed to be flexible and responsive to the realities of legal practice, balancing structure with adaptability.

The program includes three key components:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Mentor-Mentee Pairing Process – all you need to do is complete an online form and WLWA will carefully match you
               2. Regular Meetings – we encourage monthly catch ups and WLWA provides information and guides to assist you
               3. Catch Up Events – regular events hosted by WLWA offer great opportunities to build your connection.

2025 LAUNCH EVENT

 Thank you to everyone who joined us in our celebration of community at our launch event on 29 July 2025, kindly hosted by KWM. 

Thank you also to our Patron, the Honourable Katrina Banks-Smith for Her Honour’s kind and inspiring words.  You can read Her Honour’s speaking notes here.

Enjoy our photo album from the launch event below.

INTRODUCTIONS

We were overwhelmed with the number of people from all across the profession, including partners of law firms and members of the judiciary, who signed up to be mentors. 

We were equally impressed with the insights shared about the many and various different parts of their career that people were seeking a mentor to guide them. 

We were delighted to be able to pair over 40 people with mentors. 

 MONTHLY AFTER WORK EVENTS

Our program of monthly events has taken off.  With 40 to 50 people attending every event and tremendous insights shared by our hosts.   

If you are interested in hosting a catch up event, please see our sponsorship booklet.

• • • • • 29 August 2025 – Elite Family Law hosted us and Elvira Mustafa, the Director and Senior Family Lawyer at Elite Family Law, spoke to the topic of “Backing Yourself”.
        • 25 September – Clyde & Co hosted us and Jenny Thornton, the Managing Partner of Clyde & Co Perth, on the topic of “Returning, Rebuilding and Reframing”.
        • October 2025 – Timpano Legal will be our hosts.  More details to come. 

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP

If you would like to be If you would like to become a mentor or a mentee, paired as or with a mentor before our next event.  Forms below.