Sean Fewster analysis: Was Claire O’Connor’s Facebook post sour grapes, or a raw nerve exposed?
ANALYSIS: One question echoed through the hallways and chambers of Adelaide’s legal precinct on Friday — was Claire O’Connor experiencing sour grapes, or had she exposed a raw nerve?
ONE question echoed through the hallways and chambers of Adelaide’s legal precinct on Friday: was Claire O’Connor experiencing sour grapes, or had she exposed a raw nerve?
The individuals’ answers to that came not along gender lines, as expected, but were instead divided by age.
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Young or old, fresh-faced or experienced, graduate or silk, it was impossible to navigate Victoria Square on Friday without hearing someone’s view on the subject.
The only commonality was that no one was prepared to put their name to their opinion.
“The reason people didn’t vote for her in the Law Society election isn’t because they’re misogynist, it’s because they disagree with her political views,” an older lawyer said.
“This was a completely inappropriate, gross misuse of her position as Senior Counsel ... if she has complaints to make, there’s a process for that.
“Yes, the profession has problems and we don’t deny that — but this isn’t the way to behave.”
A similarly aged peer said gender equity “was coming” because more women were studying law.
“Twenty years ago, you didn’t have the same number of women studying law and many left the profession when they had families,” the lawyer said.
“Thankfully it’s not like that anymore, but you can’t have 50-50 equity right now when there aren’t the necessary number of qualified women to take up the roles.
“Equity is coming, it’s going to happen, so why complain about it on Facebook?”
One of their colleagues disagreed, noting gender was a concern of the profession not only in South Australia but across the country.
“Those who say it’s not a problem are speaking from a place of white male privilege,” they said.
“No one wants to be appointed an SC just because they are a member of a minority — but nor should they be ignored or passed over just because they are a member of a minority.”
Another counsel said the Law Society’s response to Ms O’Connor’s post was concerning.
“Are we supposed to gather the society wants women who have been sexually harassed to be quiet?” they asked.
“Hopefully, the Facebook post and the article will change the boy’s club mentality of our profession.”