A Professional Development Group for Women in Law
We invite expressions of interest from:
Mid-career women (with 10+ PQE), for an in-person group to be held in-person in Wellington beginning April 2021
5-10 years PQE to be held in person in Wellington mid 2021 (date to be confirmed subject to interest)
Online courses, with options for women with a variety of PQE, to begin April - May 2021 (subject to interest)
Click here to register your interest in these groups, or read on for further information.
A small group of women meet weekly for 6 weeks
Women working in law often leave the profession or find themselves not progressing due to well-studied and discussed reasons. There is also plentiful research on the negative impact of the practice of law on wellbeing, mental health and relationships.
With these things in mind, Mary Scholtens QC, together with experienced coach and facilitator Ava Gibson, offer a confidential discussion group (six sessions over six weeks) for a small number of women practitioners (maximum of 8). These groups have been successfully running for over 5 years in Wellington.
A supportive and wise environment is provided for you to discuss professional issues, draw on the collective insight and experience of the group, and learn new strategies to enhance your practice of the law.
How will you benefit?
What make these groups work so well is the combination of being with a small group of women from different legal backgrounds, the structure of the sessions, and (women have told us) the credibility, openness and experience that the facilitators bring to the group.
The course is independent of your workplace, so you are away from your daily work in a space where confidentiality is emphasised, where you can reflect on your practice and can take steps to improve your professional effectiveness. Spreading ‘Take a Deep Breath’ over several weeks allows you time to integrate your learning and insights.
The course is a ‘journey’ with each session building on the last. There is ‘homework’ by the way of reading and reflections. There is accountability, as women report on actions they have taken during the week. This all takes place in an environment of encouragement and support.
At the conclusion of the course participants report they are clearer about what is important to them, have greater confidence, courage and skills to direct their career, and have gained a network of other women to support and encourage them. All these are important contributors to a sustainable legal career.
How does the course work?
Mary will have a brief introductory call with each registrant prior to the group's commencement. She will be interested in your circumstances, career plans and any particular issues or concerns you might like to cover.
Discussion topics for each week will be identified based on the needs of the group (see examples below). You can expect to participate in robust and open discussion of a wide range of topics, in a confidential, helpful and supportive environment.
Each session is 75 minutes in duration.
You will be provided with activities and readings to complete between sessions. A summary of the content of each session is sent out following the group, both as a recap and if you are unable to attend for any reason.
At the end of the six sessions you will have an individual coaching session with Ava to consolidate your personal learning and support your plans.
What is covered in the course?
Topics may include
Wellbeing
What makes successful women thrive
Identifying and applying your values and strengths
Organisational culture
Unconscious bias
Confidence
Conflict management/difficult conversations
Career planning and development
Dynamics and culture of workplace relationships
Ensuring your values guide your decisions
Managing work with other aspects of your life
Network building
Your facilitators
Mary Scholtens, QC
Mary is an experienced Queen's Counsel who acts predominantly in the commercial public law arena. She qualified in 1982 and worked initially in NZ Government departments and a criminal/human rights practice in London. After the birth of her son she worked part time until he was 2 years old. She then worked for ten years at Crown Law. In 1996 Mary joined the independent bar, and took silk in 2002. She practises from Stout Street Chambers in Wellington and has a broad public law/regulatory litigation practice. Mary has appeared in many judicial review proceedings, in public law claims in contract, tort and equity, and in appeals from regulatory bodies. She acted for the IRD in the tax avoidance case brought by the BNZ. She has assisted and appeared before Commissions of Inquiry, Parliamentary Select Committees, and the District Court on an Electoral Petition. She has carried out many inquiries and investigations. She is a member of the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal and an accredited mediator. She has served on the board of a leading health and safety consultancy. She has a husband, one son, three step children and nine grandchildren. More information at www.stoutstreet.co.nz/mary
Ava Gibson
An experienced coach and facilitator, Ava is Director of Orb Solutions Ltd. Her coaching practice includes working with leaders, managers, and personal coaching clients, as well as providing regular supervision to professionals working in the human service field. Ava is a communication and conflict resolution specialist. She facilitates workshops, team development, difficult conversations and mediates for a range of businesses, government organisations, and within the social-profit sector. Ava utilises knowledge and techniques from neuroscience and positive psychology to assist individuals and groups to understand themselves and others better, and develop strategies to apply to situations they want or need to change. She has a passion for wellbeing and supporting women to flourish and thrive in their lives. Ava is an accredited mediator, certified coach and qualified social worker. More information at orbsolutions.co.nz/aboutus
Feedback from Participants
"I can truly say that the course was a personal and professional highlight for me. I have a lot more clarity on where I want my career to go, and feel really empowered to take myself in that direction (with some new skills to help me navigate the obstacles along the way!) The group was also a wonderful forum to discuss confidential or difficult issues in a safe and supportive environment, and it was validating to know that others felt the same."
"Meeting every Friday for six weeks meant that you had the opportunity to think and work on the matters discussed. There were clear shifts in attitude amongst group members throughout the course and these changes were purely as a result of having the support and encouragement from the group to address these in their workplace."
"This course really changed the way I viewed my own career development and daily challenges, gave me more confidence in how I viewed my own ability and has inspired me to push myself harder, take more risks and to identify, understand and seek to overcome 'perceived' barriers. It has encouraged me to be more assertive, change the things I don’t like and to view challenges in a more positive light."
"Excellent content driven by well selected readings. It was great to prepare for the discussions, and to think about the issues between sessions. How refreshing to be part of a course that encourages the success of women, gives access to resources about how successful women operate and inspires us all to be successful."
"Understanding the drivers and factors which contribute to our confidence, resilience and wellbeing as women at work is really the first step to sustaining a happy and successful career in the law. Your course should be compulsory for all women (young and old)."
"Inspirational, excellent facilitators focused on positive, reinforcing messages, rather than outdated rhetoric. Refreshing, down to earth presentation styles and active listeners who created an environment of sharing and encouraging."
Course Details:
To find out information on course details
Click here for information on Wellington in-person courses
Click here for information on online courses
In-Person Course Details
When?
April 2021 for mid-career women. We will also hold a course for women 5-10 years PQE later in the year, subject to interest.
To let us know your interest in future courses, please register below.
Where?
Boardroom, Stout Street Chambers, Level 6, Huddart Parker Building, 1 Post Office Square, Wellington, NZ.
What is included?
This is our niche, flagship course.
An introductory conversation with Mary Scholtens QC so we understand your background and goals to incorporate into the programme
6 weekly sessions of 75 minutes
2 experienced facilitators/trainers with complimentary backgrounds and experience
Hot drink and delicious, healthy lunch each week. It gets you out of your office to where you are taken care of
Access to online assessment tools
Access to articles, videos and hand-outs
An email summary of course content after each session
6 CPD hours. Certificate of attendance will be available on completion
An individual 45-minute coaching session with Ava Gibson to assist with reflecting on your learning and actions for the future. This will take place at a mutually convenient time once the group sessions have finished.
Investment?
$1455 + GST
Online Course Details
When?
We’ll be offering online courses from April - May 20211 We’ve suggested some time slots below. To register your interest and time preferences, please register below.
Who?
We aim to form groups with women of similar levels of post qualification experience. Past participants have enjoyed the interactions with women from a range of practice backgrounds.
Where?
Online: Live via Zoom video conferencing.
You can join us from any region as long as you have access to a confidential, private space to join the session and a good internet connection.
As these are interactive sessions you will need to be able to use both video (camera) and audio (microphone/speakers) to participate.
If you are unfamiliar with using Zoom or are unsure if you have the system requirements, internet connectivity, video, or sound, a practice call can be arranged prior to enrolling.
What is included?
An introductory conversation with Mary Scholtens QC so we understand your background and incorporate your goals into the programme as appropriate
6 weekly sessions of 75 minutes
2 experienced facilitators/trainers with complimentary backgrounds and experience
Maximum of 8 participants (similar years of PQE where possible)
Access to online assessment tools
Access to articles, video-clips and hand-outs
An email summary of course content after each session
6 CPD hours. Certificate of attendance will be available on completion
An individual 45-minute coaching session with Ava Gibson to assist with reflecting on your learning and actions for the future. This will take place at a mutually convenient time once the group sessions have finished.
Investment?
$1195 + GST.