Law firm Dentons has announced that it has achieved a 0% median gender pay gap in its Australian operations, becoming the first large law firm in the country to do so.
The organisation completed the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Compliance reporting for 2025, which calculates the average gender pay gap by adding up the wages of all employees and dividing that number by the number of employees.
The median is the number that falls into the middle when all wages are lined up from smallest to largest.
Dentons has implemented a number of initiatives to achieve pay equity, including a gender 360 strategy, which focuses on recruitment, retention and promotion based on the needs of everyone. Its HR team and social impact manager conduct annual remuneration audits to ensure pay equity at all levels. It has inclusive role pathways which encourage men to take on support roles, and also provides clear career pathways for all genders to succeed.
It has also increased female representation in leadership by the creation of a strong pipeline and ability to promote women based on merit into partnership and senior leadership positions.
Amber Warren, Dentons Australia chair, said: “In just three years, Dentons has moved from a 15% median gender pay gap in 2022, 7.1% in 2023, 4.1% in 2024 and now 0% in 2025. It’s an extraordinary achievement.
“We are committed to creating a workplace where every individual can thrive is valued for their contribution.”
Elise Ivory, partner and co-executive sponsor of Dentons’ gender advocacy group, Women United, said, “Being the first Australian law firm to achieve a 0% median gender pay gap is a testament to our Dentons’ dedication to equity and the hard work of our team. This milestone is not just a number; it’s a reflection of our values and the inclusive culture we’ve cultivated.”
Brooke Spain, partner and co-executive sponsor of Women United, added, “This achievement is a direct result of our commitment to policies that support work-life balance, such as 26 weeks of paid family leave, bonus leave and flexible working arrangements. Achieving this ahead of other firms further validates our approach and motivates us to continue leading by example.”
