Lawyer Monthly - Women In Law Special Edition

LAWYER MONTHLY WOMEN IN LAW EDITION 20 primary and secondary schools – getting speakers in early to talk to children about the rewards of a career in the law. Also, we need more visible role models: you can’t be what you don’t see. I spent International Women’s Day at Wythenshawe Forum in Greater Manchester, giving a speech to a room full of schoolgirls from backgrounds that would not traditionally be expected to produce many aspiring lawyers. Wythenshawe used to be best-known for being Europe’s largest council estate and it is important for these children to understand that their backgrounds do not have to define their futures. For example, Julian Knowles QC (who, as a barrister, worked on some of the highest profile criminal cases of the last 20 years and was recently appointed a Justice of the High Court) grew up in a similar area. At a practical level, more scholarships would help those who cannot afford entry into the profession. What motivates you to keep going and progressing, in the legal sector? What motivates me is my three wonderful children, who tolerate me writing academic books, lecturing on ethics and taking on non-executive director roles. I am also motivated by senior role models like Lady Hale, Baroness Kennedy and Dame Linda Dobbs who came before me and are still helping. Male role models and sponsors have also inspired me and continue to do so. I hope that in some small way, through being a founder of Women in the Law UK (www.womeninthelawuk. com), and by pursuing my passion for diversity of gender, race and thought, I may be empowering women to remain in the profession and progress into senior legal roles. I hope I am also equipping men to be able to talk openly about the issues that remain in the profession. Can you share the reason for founding Women in the Law? What have you achieved so far and what is on the horizon for 2019? There were several reasons for founding Women in the Law UK, chief among which was to create a professional organisation for both women and men working in the legal profession. We have three aims: to encourage and inspire the next generation of leaders in the law; to allow junior and senior people to learn from each other, and to connect the law and business. Barristers can meet solicitors through Women in the Law UK and solicitors can meet other solicitors and business people and help fulfil their business development requirements. So, in short, I founded it to try to: 1. Encourage, inspire and connect women through professional development, education and training. 2. Equip men and women with information so they have a seat at the table and remain in the profession. 3. Showcase the unsung heroes in law: those who mentor quietly, fundraise or just go about their business with decency, without shouting about it. 4. To raise the profile of gender diversity issues with our male colleagues. We need male champions and, to drive change, we need our male colleagues to engage with us and not feel isolated. As a mother of two sons, it’s important to me to engage with men. In my “ “ I don’t agree that race, in itself, is holding people back from applying to enter the law, although social class still plays a role across the board. Q Q