Without mentioning your job title, how would you describe what it is you do now?

I am a leader with a personal passion to inspire and develop diverse teams to make a difference to the business and each other.

What was your main driver to enter the legal industry?

I was curious about the legal industry and the court process from an early age and completed my Year 10 work experience at the Central Law Courts in Perth. I have always enjoyed engaging with people and helping to solve problems.

What are the first three words you think of when you hear the word ‘diversity’?

Difference and inclusion

What do you think it will take to develop truly diverse thinking within the legal industry?

Diverse representation throughout the industry. For some, we need to see a model of our diverse selves in our leaders to feel safe to share our thinking. For others, it is the environment that our colleagues create for us to be open. Ultimately I think we need to continue to challenge ourselves to develop an industry where everyone is open to, and embracing of, difference (in its many forms) – where we are respectful in our curiosity and challenge of others.

Justine is  Chief of Staff and Legal Services Executive of Telstra Corporation.