International Womens Day 2024 – Inspire Inclusion
In the lead up to International Women’s Day, we thought we would ask some of the amazing women at Bradley & Bray what #inspiringinclusion means to them.
Bridie Edwards: Associate Director | Commercial Lawyer
Q: Can you share a bit about yourself and your experiences?
A: I'm 26, enjoying my fifth year at Bradley and Bray Lawyers. I started as a Law Student and am now the firm's youngest Associate Director. I’m proud to break barriers as the first female Director in the firm’s 45+ year history. Big shoutout to my supportive team and the Sunshine Coast's collegial legal community!
Q: As a young female lawyer, what are some of the challenges you encounter in your day-to-day work?
A: Gender stereotypes hit hard. Clients sometimes doubt my expertise, ask for a male lawyer, or even suggest I fetch coffee mid-meeting. But with my employer's backing and growing confidence, I've tackled these challenges head-on.
Q: In your opinion, why is it vital for professional organisations to prioritise diversity in their hiring policies, particularly concerning gender?
A: Gender shouldn't dictate capability. Prioritising diversity brings in a broader talent pool, enriching the organisation. It fosters an inclusive culture, spurring innovation by blending varied perspectives and experiences.
Q: What can individuals and organisations do to assist young women in the workforce?
A: Individuals: Aim high! Don't let stereotypes or fear hold you back. Let's lift each other up, celebrate successes, and practice International Women's Day every day of the year.
Organisations: Nurture talent! Support young women's career aspirations. A nurturing environment is a catalyst for incredible achievements.
Q: What is one thing you wish you could change about the legal industry’s attitude to young women?
A: Smash those gender stereotypes! It's time for the legal industry to ditch outdated biases and inspire inclusivity.
Debbie Davis: Practice Manager/Senior Paralegal
Q: Can you share a bit about yourself and your experiences?
A: I have worked with Bradley & Bray since November 1986, working my way from Junior to Practice Manager/Senior Paralegal. I have worked on just about every level and in most areas of law.
Q: What are the changes you have seen in the legal industry over your 38-year career with Bradley & Bray Lawyers?
A: The predominant one is the large changes in the use of technology as opposed to the typewritten Wills when I first started. We had to use manual machines to type and if we made a mistake we had to start over! It was a great incentive for accuracy. There was no fax, internet or email when I first started working and computers were rare. We had a PABX telephone system and yes, I did occasionally cut people off… especially when I first started!
Q: How important is it for professional organisations to incorporate diversity in their hiring policies?
A: I believe a diverse workforce brings diverse experience and opinions as well as enriching the relationships between staff members.
Q: What can individuals and organisations do to assist women in the workforce?
A: I think a flexible workplace would be of great assistance to women especially those with young children. We endeavour to be as flexible as possible when it comes to working from home and work hours.
Q: Reflecting on your extensive experience in the legal industry, what insights or advice would you offer to younger professional women navigating their careers?
A: Take the opportunity to learn from the more experienced staff around you – they have navigated it all before and usually know a shortcut or two!
Michelle Carson: Commercial Lawyer
Q: Can you share a bit about yourself and your experiences?
A: I am a Female Property and Commercial Lawyer, living with a disability. I suffer from a rare genetic bone disorder called Osteopetrosis – this is where the bone is so hard and calcified that it becomes brittle and breaks easily. I have suffered 59 broken bones in my lifetime so far – with I am sure many more to come.
I have been practising law since 2010, with some time in private practice on the coast and in Brisbane, and also completing a stint in the development team at the Sunshine Coast Council. I have a strong interest in Planning and Environment law and also anything property based – particularly the complex issues.
Privately, I am a mum of two small girls (aged 3 and 7) and a wife of an extremely supportive husband. Everything in life I do, is for my girls – including getting up each day, pushing through the pain, and suffering I sometimes feel.
Q: Could you describe any challenges you encounter in your daily work as a female lawyer living with a disability?
A: I struggle with people accepting me for the strong female lawyer and professional that I am, instead of seeing me as a person in a wheelchair or on crutches/walking aids. On another note, I often cannot open heavy doors – this can be a problem, as I aways hate asking for help!
Q: In your opinion, how important is it for professional organisations to include diversity in their hiring practices, particularly regarding individuals with disabilities?
A: This is an important one for me. I think that it is extremely important for organisations to recognise that we all have our strengths and weaknesses, some are just more visible than others. As a young disabled female professional, I have experienced discrimination in my line of work, in more recently as the last couple of years. I have been turned down after great interviews and been told that my office cannot accommodate assistance to carry documents to Court for me – I had to ‘work it out myself’. People with disabilities find innovative ways to do things and can offer clients a different perspective. We are often hard working and have plenty of drive, as that is what we need to get through life each day!
Q: What steps do you believe individuals and organisations can take to support women in living fulfilling lives while navigating disabilities?
A: Education is the key to unlocking the prejudices that a lot of us disabled female professionals face each day. I also believe that speaking about issues that we face (whether in an open setting (as I prefer) or in private), rather than trying to ignore that the disability exists at all, is vitally important to normalising us individuals in the workforce. We are people too, just like the next person, and we often don’t like a ‘fuss’ to be made over us.
Q: What is one thing you wish everyone would take the time to learn or understand?
A: That not all people with disabilities are born brave and courageous. Of course we can be brave and courageous – just like people without disabilities can be, but sometimes people throwing these terms around (about how brave we are or courageous we are just for getting out of bed each day) can become offensive.