women@minterellison is a group of professional women lawyers and managers at Minter Ellison who are committed to providing networking opportunities for female clients and other business women in South Australia. The women@minterellison group is part of the firm's commitment to the development of its talented women. Minter Ellison is committed to its values which are formally integrated into all parts of our business – diversity and life balance are key values supported by the firm.

Regular women@minterellison events are held throughout the year and newsletters are distributed twice a year featuring industry topics such as property and construction and the not for profit sector. Guest speakers at past women@minterellison events include Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (Senator for South Australia), Kate Gould (General Manager and Assistant Artistic Director – Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts 2008) and Maggie Beer (famed South Australian cook, food author and restaurateur).

Formed in 2001, the objectives of women@minterellison include: 

• building long-term relationships with prominent South Australian businesswomen 
• retaining female staff and promoting Minter Ellison as an Employer of Choice for women in South Australia
• informing and educating our female clients and staff on relevant legal issues and industry news through our newsletters and events
• providing opportunities for staff to network and build relationships with their internal colleagues
• supporting emerging female artists in South Australia.

women@minterellison Rising Star Awards

Recognising that we can achieve greater results for our community as a collective group, each year, the women@minterellison committee, in conjunction with the Helpmann Academy, awards four female performing arts students with a 'Rising Star Award' which includes a $1,000 cash prize to help kick-start their career.

The 2007 Rising Star Awards were held for the first time in our new Grenfell Street premises. Sonya Bates, Partner, Insurance & Corporate Risk, and member of the women@minterellison committee, hosted the evening.

Now in its fourth year, the awards help to promote emerging female artists in South Australia and the awards presentation is always a 'feel good' event where corporate Adelaide has the opportunity to connect with these inspirational artists.

The Rising Star Award recipients for 2007 included: 

• Kerri Foulstone - Flinders University Drama Centre (Directing)
• Maria Dafneros - Adelaide Centre for the Arts TafeSA (Acting)
• Emma Stokes - Adelaide Centre for the Arts (Dance), and
• Louise McKay - Elder Conservatorium of Music (Cellist).

How to join

If you would like to be included on the women@minterellison invitation and mailing list please contact sa.women@minterellison.com with your full contact details.