Linda Black: Perth legal profession ‘quaking in boots’ at Dyson Heydon sexism furore fallout

High-profile Perth criminal lawyer Linda Black says many WA judges and lawyers are “quaking in their boots” at the prospect of sexual misconduct allegations being aired in the wake of the Dyson Heydon scandal. Speaking on Channel 7’s Flashpoint program tonight, Ms Black will reveal her own experience with sexism and suggest that while the legal fraternity had come a long way there was still a lot of work to do to ensure equality for women. “It has been suggested that there are many judges and prominent lawyers quaking in their boots as to what allegations might come out,” Ms Black said. “I think social functions are a really big problem. My incident involved a partner of the law firm I was at rubbing my leg very high up and suggestively, with my husband sitting next to me. I thought my husband was going to punch him. “When I eventually made a complaint and asked not to work with that person anymore ... a couple of people who had my back said: ‘It is better that you don’t or you will develop a reputation early on as someone who can’t cope with working with men and complains all the time and it will inhibit your career’.” Mr Heydon, an ex-High Court judge, was found by an independent inquiry to have allegedly sexually harassed six young female associates. He denies the claims but three former associates have revealed plans to sue him and the ACT’s Director of Public Prosecutions has also recommended Federal Police investigate the allegations. Ms Black said she believed sexism and misogyny was particularly entrenched in the legal fraternity because of the established power structure. “I think that hierarchical structure makes it extremely difficult for women to be able to stand up for themselves in the legal profession,” she said.