An Incredible Energy In Kathmandu

In late November/early December 2015, lawyers from our Paris, Frankfurt, Chicago and Brisbane offices descended on Kathmandu to deliver a six-day training program for Nepali women lawyers in collaboration with the Nepal Bar Association. The program was the culmination of three years of work by New Perimeter/DLA Piper lawyers and Women Lawyers Joining Hands (WLJH).

Women lawyers in Nepal face significant obstacles in developing their legal practices, including access to legal work, payment for legal work and developing commercial networks. The program included training on professional responsibility and ethics, challenges unique to women in the legal profession and corporate and commercial law. 

A team of lawyers from across DLA Piper's global offices prepared the material specifically for the training at the request of WLJH. The New Perimeter team was led by Claire Donse from our Paris office, and included Sophie Devitt (Brisbane), Katie Dale (Chicago) and Kirsten Girnth (Frankfurt). The DLA Piper lawyers jointly presented with members of the Nepal Bar Association and Canadian lawyers from WLJH, including WLJH board member Anne Parker and Beth Symes, from Canadian law firm Symes, Street & Millard, and Nepali businesswoman and entrepreneur, Ambica Shrestha.  

The Nepalese women lawyers who participated in the training program were engaged, enthusiastic and driven.  The exchange of ideas and knowledge between the presenters and the participants was significant. 

There was an incredible energy in the room. All involved could sense the optimism and the general view that the women lawyers have immense potential as they progress through their legal careers. Female lawyers in Nepal face a range of challenges that are similar to those facing female lawyers around the globe. This includes pay inequity and sexual discrimination (both gender and age). There was a commonality in the experience of the female lawyers presenting and those of the female participants.

We hope there will be a continuing partnership with the Nepal Bar Association to deliver this training again in the future and develop additional training materials for the profession. The value of this training cannot be underestimated, both to the development of female lawyers in Nepal and the benefits delivered to the presenters and the firm.