He too had dual topics, starting with judges and their hats, where a portion of the Supreme Court was lightly roasted with reference to their preferred head-wear. The big night of bench and bar schmoozing interrupted by a call for gender equality … “WTF” … Many codgers not on the page … Women briefs ecstatic … Tweets galore … Others roaming the alleyways ask, “where are the characters?”
A big night at the Sydney Grill’s bench and bar feast on Friday (May 5) with about 630 of the finest packed into the Hyatt Regency ballsroom.
Off-stage asides concerned Michelle Painter SC’s speech, part of which was devoted to the topic of gender equity.
“Oh no,” muttered some of the old guard – this was far too political for such a forum. Of course, it warrants attention, but not here, not now.
Great hairy fingers were seen stabbing at mobile phones trying to release text messages along the lines of “WTF” and “FFS”.
The balance of Michelle’s speech reflected on her time on 9 Selborne, reading and working with Paddy Bergin, who went on to be the first woman appointed to the equity division of the Supreme Court, and later chief judge in equity.
Second speaker was Robert Newlinds, reasonably fresh from saddling up for the great gift to the Sydney bar, the Obeids.
He too had dual topics, starting with judges and their hats, where a portion of the Supreme Court was lightly roasted with reference to their preferred head-wear.
He then moved on to discuss the Hospital Road “complex” where equity judges commence plying their craft and then are relocated to Queen’s Square to be closer to the hive.
The line of the night had to be his reference to a particular judge wanting to stay close to another in the chain of military command, but having to be removed much like a passenger from a United Airlines flight.
Newlinds’ speech was widely acclaimed as being “right on point”, while Painter’s was cheered by many of the women briefs on the night, including former bar prez Jane Needham who tweeted:
“Doing a great job showing up the double standards of the Bar @MPainterSC #bandb17.”
Here’s more commentary from Jane.
Paddy Bergin was, of course, gracious. She remarked on the willingness of barristers to serve as judges and so fulfil an important function in the administration of justice.
She added that it’s not as though the judiciary is exempt from problems, as recently identified by Lord Neuberger, who was was critical of politicians that were slow to defend the judges in the face of “enemies of the people” attacks from newspaper hacks.
Away from all this and in a darkened city alleyway, Justinian ran into two briefs who did not attend the evening’s celebrations, but bemoaned the lack of “great bar characters”.
“It’s not worth going to the dinner anymore, because there are no ‘characters’.”
What is good to see, however, is the emergence on Twitter of some of the reactions to the speeches – with hashtag #bandb17 … This would not have happened in the days when “characters” roamed the landscape.
@justicepapi @MPainterSC I thought all the speeches were excellent. I liked the “Madonna, Cher, Beyoncé … Paddy” quip in particular.
— Jane Needham SC (@JaneNeedhamSC) May 6, 2017
Doing a great job showing up the double standards of the Bar @MPainterSC #bandb17
— Jane Needham SC (@JaneNeedhamSC) May 5, 2017
@michellepainter congrats on your message last night! Great night #BandB17
— Awais Ahmad (@justicepapi) May 6, 2017
#FF these amazing #WomenInLaw ! @MPainterSC @felicitygerry
— Women in Law WGT (@WellyWIL) May 5, 2017
@BrendaTronson @MPainterSC @JaneNeedhamSC @Larissaandelman @ingridjking Rock on @MPainterSC – you will kill it. Champagne after!
— Louise Byrne (@lousiebyrne) May 5, 2017
‘If you are a male lawyer and you care about diversity and inclusion, don’t speak on all-male panels’ https://t.co/QDP35k3xvA
— Michelle Painter SC (@MPainterSC) May 9, 2017
“It’s not a complex, it’s a building”. Newlinds SC on the Hospital Road Court Complex #BandB17
— Jane Needham SC (@JaneNeedhamSC) May 5, 2017
Awesome speech from @MPainterSC at the 2017 #BandB17
— Jane Needham SC (@JaneNeedhamSC) May 5, 2017
Doing a great job showing up the double standards of the Bar @MPainterSC #bandb17
— Jane Needham SC (@JaneNeedhamSC) May 5, 2017