Gender Equality at King & Wood Mallesons

Gender equality is one of our core priority areas in our Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing strategy, and is one of the firm’s strategic business imperatives as part of our overall business strategy to create a Great Place to Work and Grow. 

Our commitment to gender equality means deliberate and meaningful actions on a range of issues such as:

• eliminating gender bias and stereotyping across all elements of the people's experience such as recruitment, development and promotion;
• addressing the impact of caring responsibilities that have traditionally fallen disproportionately on women;
• mainstreaming flexible work practices for all so that we intentionally focus on driving an inclusive experience for everyone;
• zero tolerance of gender-based harassment and discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying;
• improving the use of diversity metrics and accountability around them; and
• enabling and encouraging more open conversations led from the top

Our Gender Working Group, comprised of a cross-section of male and female partners and senior management, drives progress against our gender partnership target to reach 35% female partners by 2022 and 40% by 2025. Over the past year, the Group has developed a comprehensive action plan which examines relevant systems and processes, leadership and behaviours, and skills and capabilities which actively support gender equality. In addition, each centre hosts an active Gender Equality Network (gen-KWM) committee that meets regularly to develop programs and strengthen gender equality awareness and education.