Celebration of Life in Memory of Janet Viola Coombs AM, DSG, CEP, DGCHS

24/10/2022

The Women Barristers Forum invites all members of the Bar and Judiciary to celebrate the life of Janet Viola Coombs AM, DSG, CEP, DGCHS in the Bar Common Room on 17 November 2022 from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. We are delighted to have The Honourable Mary Gaudron KC as our guest speaker.

Janet was called to the NSW Bar on 13 March 1959, the only woman practising at the time. In 1997, she was made a member of the General Division of the Order of Australia. On 7 May 1998, Janet was made a life member of the NSW Bar Association, the sixth barrister to be appointed as a life member at that time. Until her retirement in 1998, Janet had the longest running practice of any woman at the NSW Bar. A portrait of Janet, titled, “One of the Girls” hangs in the Bar Common Room.

Janet Coombs was a pioneer barrister who made it a priority to welcome every new woman barrister by taking them out to lunch so that they felt welcomed in what was then a profession dominated by men. Janet continued this tradition for many years until the numbers of women coming to the bar significantly increased and the Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales, in conjunction with the NSW Bar Association, began hosting the bi-annual lunch for all women readers which is held during the NSW Bar Practice Course.

At the lunch, Janet would deliver a speech which was as much informative as it was entertaining. She provided new barristers with advice and tips about being at the Bar. Janet’s advice and tips at these lunches have held many women barristers in good stead during their careers. Needless to say, feeling welcomed at the Bar is seen as one of the many important aspects of promoting collegiality at the Bar.

The Women Barristers Forum and the Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales have produced a video of Janet welcoming new women barristers to the Bar, so that Janet’s tradition continues. The video, “Janet Coombs Welcome to New Women Barristers”, will be launched at this Celebration of Life.

We hope you can join us in acknowledging the significant contribution Janet made to the NSW Bar.

Food and drinks will be provided. Registrations are limited so please book early.