Women now make up the majority of Australia’s legal workforce, an achievement worth celebrating. But when it comes to senior roles, leadership, and partnership pathways, women remain significantly underrepresented.
The 2025 Randstad Legal Market Report shows that while entry and mid-level representation is strong, senior legal roles, particularly in private practice are still dominated by men. This imbalance points to systemic barriers that can’t be addressed by hiring quotas alone.
Law firms and in-house teams are increasingly being challenged by both candidates and clients to demonstrate their commitment to equity. Transparency around promotion, flexible work policies that support all genders, and active mentoring programs are now essential to attract and retain high-performing legal professionals.
Clio Lenzi observes: “Many of the lawyers I work with, particularly women, are seeking more than just progression. They want authenticity from leadership, flexibility in practice, and clarity around how they can lead without conforming to outdated norms.”
For many female lawyers, career progression is no longer just about pay, it’s about visibility, support, and the opportunity to lead authentically. And in a competitive market where legal talent is in short supply, diversity can’t be seen as optional.
Clients and firms that genuinely invest in equity are already reaping the benefits: better innovation, stronger retention, and a broader range of perspectives in decision-making.
By embedding diversity and inclusion into everything we do, from candidate shortlists to leadership search, our Randstad Legal team continue to support the legal sector in building a more representative, inclusive, and future-ready workforce.
Read the full 2025 Randstad Legal Market & Intelligence Report to see how gender diversity is playing out across regions, roles, and seniority, and what that means for your next move.
