Moreland Business Women’s International Women’s Day Celebration 4 March, 2020
On International Women’s Day this year Leanne Abela, Solicitor was invited to be the guest speaker addressing over 114 women in business at “Chapt Two Café” in East Brunswick. Together with Debra Knight of Knight Mattingly Coffee Roasters, the audience of women heard Leanne’s journey from working part-time through high school and university, to doing Articles at Pearsons Lawyers and becoming a Partner shortly after she joined the firm. Leanne was the first female Solicitor employed at Pearsons since its establishment in 1922 and also became the first female Partner. Leanne described her own style of leadership saying “Don’t try to fit in. Work to change attitudes”.
Leanne described how, under her leadership, the legal careers of other practitioners, particularly females, has been fostered through the mentoring Leanne provided. Leanne recognises and addresses the systematic issues which exist in the industry for female solicitors, particularly the need to provide workplace flexibility in part-time work and the opportunity for all Solicitors regardless of whether they work full-time or part- time to be doing significant, valuable and quality work and not to be overlooked when it comes to developing their careers.
