An evening filled with diverse voices, honest conversations and genuine connection.

On Friday 21st of August, the Legal ID team was ecstatic that we were able to successfully host our flagship event. Beyond Precedent: The Legal Mandala brought together over 50 attendees, panellists and representatives from firms across the industry. This included firms like Gilbert + Tobin, Clayton Utz along with CLCs and Organisations like Justice Q (South East Monash Legal Service), The Migrant Justice Centre, WestJustice, Refugee Legal, Victorian Legal Aid, Tarwirri and the Muslim Legal Network.

The event was a genuine celebration of what diversity, equity and inclusion can look like when we commit to it fully. A mandala is made up of several different elements, and just like that, the evening brought together inspirational panellists from different backgrounds and different areas of practice.

We were fortunate to welcome an incredible panel of Kavitha Sivasamy, Jennifer Jones, Andrew Williams, Ali Khan and Millie Wheeler. The conversation, moderated by our team lead Shivaani, centred on intersectionality, and the simple but powerful truth that we don't get to pick and choose the barriers we face. Amongst other things, they spoke candidly about how we can better position ourselves as allies, both in our work with clients and within our own workplaces.

One of the real highlights of the night was the sheer diversity of practice areas represented, spanning First Nations issues, queer and migration law, employment and tenancy law, as well as commercial and criminal law. This wasn't just diversity in the practice area either. The people and practitioners in the room came from wonderfully different backgrounds, and that mix is exactly what made the room feel so alive with perspective and possibility.

The main takeaway of the night was clear. Diversity is what makes a workplace better and more powerful. And while many of us may question where we stand or where we belong, the panellists reminded us that it is all about putting yourself out there and being a fierce advocate in every sense of the word. Be it for yourself, for your clients or for your co-workers.

Some of the most valuable advice from the panel centred on engaging deeply with the communities we hope to serve, and learning first to be empathetic, something that strengthens any line of work, not just law. There was also a beautifully honest anecdote about allyship. Being an ally is hard, and you might sometimes say or do something that offends someone, even with the best of intentions. But as long as you come from a place of good intention, you should stay open to being corrected by the people who have a rightful say in the space you occupy. It is far better to stand corrected and keep being an ally than to lose a well intentioned ally over a single misstep.

That spirit of openness, humility and hope carried through the entire evening. Conversations flowed freely over sushi and soft drinks, and the energy in the room was one of genuine connection, between panellists, firms and organisations and attendees and between people simply trying to build something better together.

Events such as ours, are a reminder that progress in the legal industry doesn't happen in the abstract. It happens in rooms like this one, in honest conversations, shared meals and the courage to keep showing up as allies and advocates. The Legal ID team is incredibly proud to have hosted this evening, and even more excited for the momentum it builds as we continue working towards a more equitable legal industry for everyone.

A Reminder to Keep Showing Up

It is important for us to showing up: for ourselves, our clients, our colleagues and the communities we hope to serve. To advocate fiercely, listen empathetically, remain open to being corrected and continue learning from perspectives beyond our own.
Remember diversity is what makes a workplace better and more powerful, so do it for yourself, for your clients and for your co-workers.
To everyone who made Beyond Precedent: The Legal Mandala possible, we would like to express our sincerity gratitude. We are incredibly grateful to have shared such an important night with you all and for your support of everything we have worked towards this year.

A special thank you to our amazing panellists: Kavitha Sivasamy, Jennifer Jones, Andrew Williams, Ali Khan and Millie Wheeler.

Thank you and remember diversity is what makes a workplace better and more powerful, so do it for yourself, for your clients and for your co-workers.