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On 21 March each year, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed around the world to remember the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa.

This year, the Law Society of New South Wales is hosting its annual International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) event on Thursday 26 March 2026. Alexia Yazdani, Principal Solicitor, Hillside Legal and Councillor of the Law Society of New South Wales will be moderating a thought-provoking panel discussion followed by networking opportunities.

Yazdani, who is also a member of the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, says she was drawn to the committee because of her background. Yazdani says her background has shaped how she perceives diversity and inclusion, especially in the legal profession. “[I] came to Australia when I was just over a year old. I witnessed my parents experiencing racial discrimination … whether it was their accent, not understanding, being looked down upon by other people, particularly people in positions of authority, because they couldn’t speak English.

“But then I was also blessed with these really amazing stories of how people showed kindness and accepted us even though we’re different,” she says.

Reflecting on her own experiences, Yazdani says although she has experienced the “horrible side”, she has also witnessed the “richness” that diverse viewpoints can provide.

At an early age, Yazdani decided she wanted to pursue a career in law. “We were sitting in class … and we were watching Schindler’s List and I asked my teacher, with tears in my eyes, ‘how did people let this happen?’ …

“I thought, what job can I do where I can stand up for people? So that’s why I made a decision then to become a lawyer,” she says.

Joining Yazdani on the panel will be Leanne Ho, Pro Bono Partner at Wotton Kearney and Keerthi Ravi, Senior Legal Counsel at PwC. Yazdani is excited about the discussion as both panellists come from different professional backgrounds and are “both deeply committed to equity and inclusion … not just in theory but in the work that they do every day. …

“And I think what will be most valuable is hearing their lived experiences and the realities of navigating the profession,” she says.

Earlier this year, Yazdani gave a moving speech at the Commencement of Law Term Service at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection. The Chief Justice of NSW, the Honourable Andrew Bell, referred to her speech during his Opening of Law Term address and described it as “one of the finest addresses on the subject of community and social cohesion that I have ever heard.” Law Society President Ronan MacSweeney has also commended the speech.

When asked about her reaction to the recognition by the Chief Justice, Yazdani admits she was “genuinely taken aback by his Honour’s remarks. I actually blacked out. …

“[T]he address that I gave was really a reflection of the kindness and the acts of generosity that shaped my family’s life,” she says.

Yazdani points out the reason why the speech really resonated with people was because it touched on ‘social cohesion’ and the notion that the strength of our profession, and the community more broadly, comes from acknowledging and valuing the “diverse communities around us and the way that people can support and care for each other.

“[I]’m really grateful for his Honour’s generosity in acknowledging my words but I see it as an affirmation of the importance of the conversation itself … about community … and how the law can be [a] force for dignity.”

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event will be held at the Law Society on Thursday 26 March 2026. To register, please click here.