Our Work

Our global education initiatives support the development of skills that are crucial for real-life experiences by providing students with opportunities that are not tyically taught in the classroom. Central to this portfolio is the notion of discussion, where our members are provided with a safe space to ask questions and gain meaningful experiences before graduation. Initiatives like our Legal Tea sessions and Negotiation Competition equip students with practical skills they carry throughout their careers.

We foster career development by bridging the gap between students and the legal profession. Through networking nights, clerkship panels, and events like Counsel Over Coffee, we create accessible, low-pressure spaces where students can connect with legal professionals, gain insight into the industry, and build confidence in their career journeys. Recognising that many of our members pursue pathways beyond traditional legal practice, we also connect students with leaders in adjacent fields, including consulting, public policy, and corporate sectors to showcase the diverse opportunities a law degree can unlock.

At the heart of Women in Law is a deep commitment to building community - both within the law school and beyond it.

Internally, we create spaces where women and gender-diverse law students can connect, feel seen, and thrive. Through events that prioritise inclusivity, whanaungatanga, and student voice, we work to break down the isolation and competitiveness that can often characterise legal study. Our community is one of support, solidarity, and shared growth.

Externally, we’re equally committed to engaging with the broader community. This includes outreach to secondary schools (especially those with limited access to legal education pathways), collaborations with other equity groups, and initiatives that amplify voices often excluded from legal spaces.

Through both strands, our goal is to cultivate a legal community that is connected, representative, and driven by values, not just credentials.

We actively promote mental health and balance through events focused on hauora and self-care. Initiatives like our Plead the 5th run club, fitness classes, and wellbeing panels help students build resilience and stay grounded during their law school journey.

Women in Law’s flagship Mentoring Programme sustains our kaupapa. Bringing together first-year law students with senior students through individual pairings, we aim to foster tuakana-teina relationships amongst our members that continue into the future. Our Mentoring Programme is carefully designed to address the challenges of law school, and provide students with essential support and opportunities for growth.

Women in Law’s community operates on the support and foundational contributions from our alumni. By consolidating this important network as a portfolio in its own right, we seek to bridge a gap between students and the industry, celebrate the successes of our former members, and leave a long-lasting impression on future legal professionals. Check out our Alumni Network for more about our work in this space.