Minter Ellison Rudd Watts partner Stacey Shortall has won the 2015 Westpac Community and Not-for-Profit award in the 2015 Women of Influence Awards.

The Judges said she stood out because of her contribution and influence in the lives of disadvantaged children.

While based in New York Ms Shortall worked as a volunteer lawyer in many New York State prisons, and upon her return to New Zealand she developed a programme that seeks to help mothers incarcerated at Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility maintain meaningful connections with their children. 

She also developed a weekly homework club at a decile one school in Wellington where primary school children are assisted with their homework and provided access to different role models. 

She continues to develop other initiatives intended to help stop violence against women and children and provides thought leadership by writing and speaking on topics such as diversity and women's rights.