Victorian Bar vice president slams ‘snide’ fake Men in Law Awards notice

Vice president Georgina Schoff KC says the fake ‘Men in Law’ awards notice has undermined the ‘collegiate atmosphere’ of the bar.

A mock notice posted in the lift of a prestigious chambers has drawn fire amongst the Victorian Bar.

The Victorian Bar vice president has taken aim at the author of a “snide” mock notice posted in the lifts of a prestigious chambers this week, accusing the writer of “denigrating the work and practice of your colleagues” and undermining the “collegiate atmosphere” of the bar.

Georgina Schoff KC published a particularly scathing edition of the bar’s In Brief newsletter on Friday, accusing the author of the controversial notice, which promoted a fake award ceremony, of failing to uphold professional standards.

The notice, pinned to a lift in Melbourne’s Owen Dixon Chambers, advertised the sham “Men in Law Awards” which included categories for “most woke counsel” and “best virtue-signalling counsel”.

Other categories included: least offensive counsel; best beard worn by counsel under 5 years call; best beard worn by counsel over 15 years call; counsel with the best virtue signalling ‘signature’ statement (he, him, it, they dilligaf, acknowledgment of prior claims to land, etc.)

“The Men in Law Awards, in conjunction with various stakeholders and a panel of leading pseudo professionals, have developed a robust awards methodology to form the backbone for assessing, analysing and benchmarking Victoria’s leading legal professionals,” the notice read.

“Sadly this expertise will not be called upon in judging such nominations.”

The notice concluded by saying “Men: Bring a plate. Women: BYO”.

Ms Schoff criticised the person behind the flyer for falling “below the professional standards expected of all barristers” and “denigrating the work and practice of your colleagues by anonymously posting faux notices in lifts.”

A mock notice pinned to the wall of a lift in the Owen Dixon Chambers, advertising the fake “Men in Law Awards”. Picture: Supplied

“The notice contained snide remarks apparently designed to make fun of awards that celebrate the achievements of women in the law,” she wrote.

“It also mocked those who adopt gender neutral pronouns and sought to ridicule those who acknowledge First Nations people in their email footers.

“To the author of the notice, I say this: it is sad that the promotion of women and the celebration of their achievements in the law have caused you to feel left behind. That is not how any member of this Bar should feel. We are a strong community of professionals, strengthened by our diversity and our support for one another.”

Ms Schoff also took the opportunity to remind the author of the “obligations imposed” by the bar’s rules of conduct, including anti-discrimination and harassment clauses.

In Brief is usually prepared by president Sam Hay KC, however Ms Schoff noted he is currently enjoying some time off.

The notice was posted on the same day as an event hosted by Victorian Women Lawyers and the Women Barristers’ Association in recognition of the commencement of the State Government’s Victorian Gender Equitable Briefing Policy.

Ms Schoff said the event may have provoked “a sense of grievance among some of our members” but said it was an “enlightening evening” that is integral to achieving gender parity within the bar.

The Women Barristers Association earlier this week blasted the notice as “discriminatory and said: “The notice is a reminder that while the Bar has taken great strides towards equality and inclusion, challenges remain.”