The Smallbone principle

It's silk time of year and Junior Junior is ticked pink to see so many of the female persuasion getting red bags ... Overtones of the Miss Universe pageant 

IT IS the time of year when eager senior juniors hide in chambers with bated breath and crossed metacarpals to await the silks list.

The process of appointing new senior counsel has evolved over the years, but I suspect deep down it is still to the ol' boys club what the Miss Universe pageant is to Donald Trump.

All the eligible senior juniors show up in their metaphorical swimsuits and spout about world peace hoping that finally, this year, their peers will be willing to bestow upon them the honour of starting their practices anew, with an extra two initials to their name and a pretty red bag.

This was the first year the Smallbone principle came into play and of the four hopefuls that asked to see the feedback, none were successful.

Makes you wonder if their colleagues weren't so fussed about having the confidential process made less secretive.

I have to admit that I would carefully consider refusing to take part if my comments were going to be given to the person in question.

It would a better option just to say nothing. Maybe that's what happened.

That said, history has shown that sometimes a squeaky unpopular wheel can get silk just to shut them up.

I have no problem with someone getting silk, even if they have an unpleasant personality, as long as their clients like them and they are good at their job.

It was refreshing to see the ladies making-up a large contingent of NSW's 2012 appointees.

Being a young female at the bar, I can't say I have ever felt that my gender resulted in me being viewed as less competent or capable.

There are distinct disadvantages to be sure: my male colleagues will never have to deal with breast pumping during court breaks or trying to keep morning sickness at bay until you get through a mention.

Otherwise, I think us ladies are doing OK.

Maybe, just maybe, the ol' boys club is losing their grip on the silk business.

It will definitely still be a popularity contest, but I suspect that from now on more of the ladies will be silked.  

Anyway, we look better in the swimsuits.