The International Bar Association (IBA) has launched Series 2 of its Inspirational legal women podcast during International Women’s Week to spotlight the experiences, leadership and perspectives of women shaping the legal profession.
Produced by the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU), the new series opens with an in-depth conversation with Fiona McLeod AO KC, Senior Counsel at the Victorian Bar. Ms McLeod, a prominent advocate for equality and diversity in the legal profession, spoke with the LPRU’s Sara Carnegie, Director of Legal Projects.
Following the success of the podcast’s first series in 2025, the latest instalment continues to provide a platform for senior women lawyers from around the world to reflect on their careers, share lessons learned and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in law today.
The series launch coincides with International Women’s Day (8 March), reinforcing the IBA’s commitment to elevating women’s voices in the legal profession and highlighting the importance of listening to the lived experiences of women lawyers.
Ms McLeod has held numerous leadership roles within the legal profession, including serving as President of the Law Council of Australia, the Australian Bar Association, the Victorian Bar and the Australian Women Lawyers organisation. She is currently a senior officer of the IBA Bar Issues Commission and previously sat on the advisory panel for Phase 2 of the Raising the Bar: Women in Law project. She was also one of the first Co-Chairs of the IBA Diversity and Inclusion Council.
Click here to listen to the conversation with Ms McLeod.
Click here for a list of guests featured in Series 2
Throughout her career, Ms McLeod has been widely recognised for her efforts supporting women in the legal profession and promoting human rights, including through work representing victims of human trafficking. Her honours include her appointment to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, being named Australian Woman Lawyer of the Year in 2018 and receiving the Victorian Bar Pro Bono Trophy in 2025 for her outstanding contribution to pro bono work.
Learn more at https://www.ibanet.org/IBA-launches-series-two-with-Fiona-McLeod-AO-KC-Senior-Counsel-during-International-Womens-Week
