Anastasia Nagorny | Brave Legal
Yesterday
Looking back at your journey, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a woman lawyer entering the profession?
Looking back at my journey, I am fortunate to say that I have not personally encountered significant challenges as a woman lawyer entering the profession. I am still in the early stages of my career, and I have had the opportunity to collaborate and work with predominantly female lawyers. In my current position at Brave Legal, I am fortunate to be mentored by our Principal Lawyer, Bree Knoester. She beautifully manages motherhood, business ownership, and mentorship, demonstrating firsthand that it is possible to balance family, hobbies, and work effectively.
However, I recognise that this experience is not shared by all women in the legal field. Although I am lucky to work in an environment that values diversity and inclusion, I am aware that many women face barriers and biases in their careers. It's crucial to acknowledge and address these challenges to create a more equitable and supportive environment for all individuals in the legal profession.
Today
Based on what you know now, if you could give your younger self some advice, what would this be?
Based on what I have learned, I would advise my younger self not to rush and feel pressured to have everything figured out so early on. It's okay to take time to explore different paths, make mistakes, and learn along the way. Embrace the journey and trust that things will fall into place at the right time. Focus on personal growth, learning, and seizing opportunities as they arise, rather than worrying about having a perfect plan from the start. Life is a journey of continuous discovery, and it's important to enjoy each step of the way.
Tomorrow
What personal action and/or collective initiatives do you believe are crucial for driving greater gender equality and representation within the legal profession?
In my view, we need to continue to:
- focus on providing education and training to raise awareness of unconscious bias and foster inclusivity through training programs;
- promote women’s leadership;
- encourage network and community building endeavours;
- offer flexible work arrangements to accommodate diverse needs including caregiving responsibilities.
With these actions/initiatives, I believe that we can continue the conversation and ensure there are legal opportunities for individuals of all genders to thrive.
