Indigenous place names
In October 2021, the firm rolled out updates to our letterhead, all staff’s email signatures and Arnold Bloch Leibler’s website, to include the Indigenous place names of our two office locations, Wurundjeri and Eora country. We have received positive feedback on this initiative from internal and external sources.
Stephanie Parsons, who initially suggested that the AISN advocate for the inclusion of place names and assisted with the roll out, reflected on the support the suggestion received and the significance of this change.
“During my graduate year at Arnold Bloch Leibler, I became aware of the advocacy of Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail, who advocates for the inclusion of traditional place names in addresses. She called upon government agencies, such as Australia Post, as well as other public and private entities, to include traditional place names in their correspondence and post. Being part of a business which has a strong history of advocacy, recognition of First Nations sovereignty, and a lot of mail to send, I felt this idea would be worth raising at Arnold Bloch Leibler.
I mentioned adopting this idea during a meeting of the AISN, and received an immediate and enthusiastic response from all members of the AISN, including partners. I was encouraged to draft a pitch, which was eventually passed on to the managing partners. The pitch suggested that, as a starting point, Arnold Bloch Leibler should include place names in email signatures and online. The partners, like the AISN, embraced the idea immediately, and recommended including traditional place names, not just in electronic communications, but in all our communications, including print.
I felt that the resolute adoption of traditional place names, without politicking or negotiation, was representative of Arnold Bloch Leibler’s wider social commitment. Personally, it was gratifying to be able to contribute to the firm in this sphere, especially as a junior. Credit for the idea for this change rests with Rachael McPhail, whose advocacy has led, amongst other things, to Australia Post’s formal endorsement of the inclusion of traditional place names in its postage.”
Following the initial rollout in email signatures, the AISN received positive feedback from legal and non-legal staff across the firm. Staff members also passed on positive feedback from clients. Members of the firm also suggested possible expansion of this initiative, including:
- hyperlinking the place names in email signatures to a page on the Arnold Bloch Leibler website explaining the reasons for and significance of their inclusion; and
- installing a plaque or something similar in the reception area of the Melbourne and Sydney offices, containing the relevant place name.
In October 2022, as part of phase two of the rollout, the updated branding was added to Arnold Bloch Leibler’s business cards; new business cards printed in the future will include the change.
In 2023, we also hope to incorporate suggestions received from members of the firm in response to the inclusion of place names in signatures and stationery.
Cultural awareness training
The firm has successfully developed and implemented a formal Indigenous cultural awareness training program for legal staff, commencing with graduates and expanding through other members of the legal staff.
Since the launch of the Statement of Commitment in November 2021, six sessions of training have been conducted. Four of those sessions took place in Melbourne and two in Sydney. Across those six sessions, and the single session conducted in early 2021, a total of 100 current and former staff members have participated in formal Indigenous cultural awareness training. That figure includes nearly 70% of the firm’s current legal staff and includes seven partners, which amounts to more than 15% of the partnership.
A key priority of the AISN in 2021-2022 was to “develop and implement a formal Indigenous cultural awareness training program for legal staff”. As set out in the Statement of Commitment, it was envisaged that this program would “complement the longstanding firm strategy of Arnold Bloch Leibler lawyers developing essential cross-cultural skills through ‘on the job’ public interest law client work and relationship building”.
The program has so far been facilitated by Leon Egan, who is a Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta, Bangerang and Gundiitjmara man and an Indigenous education professional and mentor. Leon is highly respected and has a wealth of experience in the sporting, corporate, not-for-profit and community sectors. The training sessions conducted by Leon have been incredibly well received by those who have attended, as shown in the positive testimonials from participants.
Over the next year, the AISN hopes to further strengthen and expand the formal Indigenous cultural awareness training. It is intended that the training will be offered on an opt-in basis to a larger group of legal staff, including senior associates and partners. Furthermore, the AISN is considering bolstering the program by incorporating sessions facilitated by additional First Nations educators and facilitators. It is envisaged that the expansion will include alternative formats and sessions focusing specifically on the experience and empowerment of First Nations women.
Cultural awareness training testimonials
“Leon was incredibly open, warm and generous with his experience and knowledge. Learning about his experiences added a lot of richness and emotional depth to what I otherwise knew just as fact, and I learned a lot of new information in addition. The few hours we had were the bare minimum and I wish it had been longer.”
– Anonymous
“The session with Leon was very powerful and though provoking. I think I can safely say that everyone in the room, regardless of their prior knowledge (or lack thereof) really benefited from the session, and would really benefit from further sessions with Leon. The training is extremely beneficial for members of Arnold Bloch Leibler, whether they work with First Nations clients frequently, rarely or not at all, to ensure that Arnold Bloch Leibler’s staff demonstrate, on an individual level, the commitment to Indigenous solidarity that is integral to our firm.”
– Anonymous
“Leon is an engaging presenter and I (and others) found the workshop very worthwhile, moving, and informative. I have found myself reflecting on the issues raised in the presentation frequently in the months since I attended. Leon is also from Wagga so you know you’re getting the best.”
– Stephen Lloyd, Partner, Sydney
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of Leon’s truth-telling process. His vulnerability and pride were evident throughout, which made for a workshop that was both impactful and confronting. I can safely say that I walked away from Leon’s session with an enhanced sense of empathy and a greater willingness to promote societal change.”
– Joel Chester, Law Graduate, Melbourne
“Leon’s cultural awareness training is equal parts valuable and, necessarily, confronting. It is confronting in the way that Leon challenges participants to reflect on Australia’s past, present, and future in the context of the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The insights and information Leon shares make the training very valuable and engaging, but it is these reflections that are most powerful. By Leon’s own admission, given at the outset of the training, you will be left with more questions than answers. My overwhelming reaction was one of gratitude, for Leon’s willingness to use his and his family’s experiences as the framework for the message he delivers.”
– Matthew Davies, Senior Associate, Melbourne
“The training that Leon ran was an exceptional experience of promoting awareness of the Aboriginal culture and the history of the Aboriginal people in Australia. It was thought provoking and focused on the ‘why’. The stories that Leon shared from his personal life and from his family added another dimension to the training. I would strongly encourage others to undergo this training and I am thankful that I had this opportunity.”
– Christopher Davis, Lawyer, Melbourne
“I have been fortunate to be part of Leon’s workshop several times, sharing in the experience alongside support staff, law graduates, lawyers and Partners across our Melbourne and Sydney offices. On each occasion, I have observed the trusting relationship Leon builds with his audience in just four hours. It is this relationship that holds the power to build awareness, strengthen our workplace culture, and amplify our commitment to partner with and advocate alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities. Long may it continue.”
– Caitlin Edwards, Senior Associate, Melbourne