Brent Williams, CEO of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr business law firm, says that given the size of the firm (presently 115 partners), the sheer number of women partners in the firm (at 22%) is nearly as impressive (relatively speaking to what had been the case not too long ago) as the number of black partners (25% plus). Three out of eight practice group heads are women lawyers with outstanding reputations in their respective disciplines and increasingly more of our intake comprises women lawyers.

Gender discrimination, particularly our profession, is important one, and women's roles in the legal profession, as well as their profiles and participation, have changed profoundly in the last 20 years. There has been a substantial increase in participation of women in the profession in this generation. Racial discrimination has possibly always received more attention than gender discrimination in our profession (and indeed, our country), because of the intensity, duration and the specific characteristics of our legacy of race discrimination.  However, this should not detract from the necessity and importance of gender empowerment given that our profession was, for generations, dominated by white males.

 "Changes in terms of gender and race are also occurring at a time when the legal profession in South Africa faces numerous challenges to remaining relevant and viable in a global environment beset by numerous crises and a client market with increasing expectations to provide a value added service (in the broadest sense of that term) within the shortest time possible," he notes.

"As member of the firm's transformation committee, I have first-hand experience of the value gained through sharing our diverse views as individuals working together to achieve a common goal. Transformation is a cornerstone of our firm's policy and aspirations. Our Level Two Contributor BEE rating clearly demonstrates the importance we place on implementing an effective transformation policy."

Williams notes that Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's transformation aspirations are sensitive to the broader socio-economic and environmental context within which the firm does business.

 "We strive to make a positive contribution to South Africa's developmental challenges and within the firm we see transformation as living our values and principles," Williams said.

 "I believe transformation is for the greater good. It benefits our country to the extent that, when properly implemented, it accelerates the realisation of the fullest potential of the broadest diversity of South Africans."