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Herbert Smith Freehills is proud to announce that senior associate Tess Mierendorff is the 2022 recipient of the firm’s Kathryn Everett Leadership Fellowship for Women.
Tess will use the Fellowship to attend the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School in Boston.
Herbert Smith Freehills created the Fellowship in recognition of Ms Everett, a senior intellectual property partner who passed away in 2013. Kathryn was passionate about pro bono and was a fierce advocate for gender equity in the legal profession. The Fellowship aims to help talented women at the firm achieve their leadership potential, and is a fitting reminder of Kathryn’s ongoing legacy.
Tess is a senior associate in the firm’s Corporate practice in Sydney. Tess is a trusted adviser to clients on intellectual property commercialisation matters and complex commercial transactions and has acted for many of the firm’s pro bono clients.
She is also an active member of the firm’s gender equity network, its LGBTI network (IRIS), and Herbert Smith Freehills’ Australian People Forum, which contributes views to the firm’s global leadership on creating the best experience for all of Herbert Smith Freehills’ people.
Sue Gilchrist, partner and Chair of the Fellowship Panel commented: “We are so proud of and impressed by the outstanding achievements of each of the Fellowship candidates. Kathryn’s legacy continues to shine through our talented lawyers and business services professionals. We are confident Kathryn would be delighted with the process and the decision.”
Andrew Pike, Executive Partner, Australia and Asia, added: “Tess personifies many of the unique qualities that Kathryn cherished through her commitment to pro bono clients and social justice causes along with her passion to improve diversity and inclusion at the firm and her commitment to mentoring junior lawyers. I’d like to congratulate her on this highly-deserved recognition.”
Tess Mierendorff said: “I wasn’t fortunate enough to know Kathryn for very long, but I have had the privilege of seeing the loyalty she inspired in her team and the lasting impact she had on those around her.
“I am so proud to be part of a firm that continues to advance the causes Kathryn was passionate about.”