Legal Women November 2025

Barbara Mills KC

 Women at the Bar

 Early/ Junior Legal Careers

 Evolving Landscape of Legal Education

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PUBLISHED

November 2025 © Legal Women Magazine, Benham Publishing Limited.

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Barbara Mills KC

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Editorial

To submit editorial, please send to: info@LegalWomen.org.uk

Editor-in-Chief: Charity Mafuba.

Sub-editors: Tilly Rubens, Ramsha Khan. Editorial Team: Ramsha Khan, Charity Mafuba, Elizabeth Shimmell, Agnes Swiecka and Emma Webb.

Researcher: David Smith, Administrator & IT Support: Stephen Flanagan

Since the last Foreword, where I unveiled the new look “purely digital” version of the magazine, our Founder and Editor- in-Chief, Coral Hill has stepped down. We wish her well in her future endeavours and will continue to honour her legacy. Consequently, I have now taken over as the new Editor-in-Chief and Director at Legal Women.

Having explored the “Senior Leadership” theme in the previous Edition, I thought it prudent to also profile Junior Legal Professionals at the beginning of their career. This would encompass Paralegals, Trainees and Junior Lawyers. To that end, I split the theme into two sub themes; Early Careers and Junior Careers

For the Women at The Bar theme, I decided to profile not only Barristers, but also extended this to women with tenures in Bar Federations and Bar Associations.

Having broached the SQE theme in the previous Edition, I decided to continue the theme of Legal Education, but in a more generic tone, aptly titled-the Evolving Landscape of Legal Education

Foreword

NOVEMBER 2025

LW magazine is for everyone; lawyers, solicitors, barristers, advocates, judges, legal executives and those working as paralegals, legal secretaries, advisers or recruiters, the list is endless. We welcome the many male champions as readers and contributors.

On this, I sought the perspectives of an Educator from BARBRI, and that of the Head of Learning and Development at The Law Society of England and Wales, on the direction in which Legal Education should go to be effective and achieve the desired outcomes in shaping competent Lawyers and fostering efficient practice of the Law.

Until the next Edition, Happy Reading! ■

Charity Mafuba, Editor-in-Chief

and Director, Solicitor (England and Wales), Attorney-New York Attorney-Supreme Court of The United States

Our mission is to:

■ Provide clear information on gender parity

■ Inspire practical initiatives to create real change

■ Promote innovation in leadership and practice

Many thanks to our Sponsors

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Editorial Team

We would like to thank the following Editors for their support in editing submissions for this Edition. Tilly, Katie, Ramsha and Charity.

Interview with Barbara Mills KC

Charity Mafuba talks to Barbara Mills KC, about her Career at the Bar and Current role as Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales 2025

Charity: What interested you about the Law? Specifically, practising as a Barrister?

Barbara Mills: I There are many reasons why I chose law and family law chose me but the top three are: advocacy and the challenge of persuasion,autonomy and specialisation and the impact and upholding justice.

Barristers as specialist advocates – we advise and then argue cases in court, often in high stake situations. For someone who thrives on intellectual challenge, public speaking and strategic thinking, being a barrister offers a unique opportunity to persuade judges, challenge opposing arguments and shape the outcomes of important legal disputes,

I wanted to be a self employed barrister as we operate independently in chambers – a setup that allows for greater control over the individual’s workload and career direction and the chance to become a true expert in an area of the law.

Barristers play a central role in ensuring justice is done so as someone motivated by a sense of fairness, public service and a desire to defend rights and liberties, the Bar offers a profession where your work can have real social impact.

Charity: ou were called to the Bar in 1990. Was the process of securing pupillage similar to the current one? And

Charity: Did you experience any difficulty in securing pupillage?

Barbara Mills: As I previously mentioned, I secured pupillage while I was at Bar school, so it was quite straightforward for me.

But some of the experiences of some chambers during the interview stage were unpleasant. It was pre internet and it was obvious to me when I arrived at an interview that, when they had invited a woman called Barbara Mills who sounds like me on the phone to interview, they were not expecting a Black woman to walk in the door. Some recovered well and quickly enough to have the interview and others, well let’s just say never recovered from their shock!

It was hard for anybody who wasn't a middle class white man back in the day. They were the competition because they were the people who were considered to be the natural fit, for Barristers;

“What I saw very early on, is that the people who came in with their family disputes had many more issues tangled up in the family disputes.”

Barbara Mills: The main difference, between the process that was around in 1989/90 when I secured pupillage and the one now, is that we've now got the Pupillage Gateway, which is a centralised way of applying for Pupillage. When I applied, you had to literally, (because we weren't using the internet then), look at Chambers through books and see what was said about them. You would then find out more from doing your own research and you'd write individual letters to the Chambers. Now aspiring Barristers can apply through the gateway and access a number of chambers that way.

Another big difference is, when I was a pupil, we weren't paid. I am pleased that now there’s a set minimum amount that you're paid, depending on whether you're in London or outside of London. My journey to the Bar was, on one level, really smooth because I was fortunate enough to go from school to University and from University back to London to go to Bar school. While I was at Bar school, I secured a Pupillage and during my pupillage was offered a tenency in the same set of chambers. The competition at the pupillage and tenancy stages especially mean that many aspiring barristers experience many gaps in the journey - while they struggle to secure a pupillage and tenancy.

Charity: You have been practising Family Law for several decades. What interested you about this area of law?

Barbara Mills: I really enjoyed Family Law as a subject at university, and it is the subject I got my highest mark in. But more than that, very early on at university, we were encouraged to get as much work experience as possible. I worked at the Citizens Advice Bureau during my degree. That gave me valuable experience and insight into various areas of law and dealing with clients who had family disputes. What I saw very early on, is that the people who came in with their family disputes had many more issues tangled up in the family disputes.

And I began to realise that people would come in with a Family Dispute, but it's an area of law that intersects with so many other areas of law: Immigration, Housing, Education, Health and Tax. And so it makes for a very rich, very diverse area of law to practise in. No two cases in any practice area are the same, but it's particularly so with family cases.

It is what started my interest in the Law and that the interest has only grown. What I can now say, because of the breadth of work I've done, is that all life is in family law. These days with the way modern families can be created with the assistance of surrogacy, for example, means the family courts are engaged in the making of life. And at the other end, with medical treatment cases, for example, High Court judges, are asked to stop medication or terminate medical treatment in circumstances where that can cause that person to die. So, we have life and we have death and everything in between. And I think that's really what keeps my interest going.

“My experience of being a judge has been great.. The full-time judiciary have been nothing but welcoming to me, whether in my role as a Recorder or Deputy High Court judge...”

Charity: Given the difficult and often complex and sensitive nature of the cases you work on, how do you balance effective advocacy with managing your wellbeing?

Barbara Mills: It's a really tough one for Barristers generally, and certainly for Family Lawyers.. It’s the tension between how do you do the work well and stay well, given the nature of the disputes that we deal with.

We now know so much more about vicarious trauma and vicarious injury and the fact that you can't sit with trauma without being affected by it. There's a quote that I love by Naomi Remen that really captures the difficulty that we have as Barristers. She said, “the expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to walk through water without getting wet.”

It’s not possible to do the work without being impacted by it and that’s why one of my priorities this year has been to focus on the well-being of the profession. What I mean by that is, being more intentional and proactive about well-being.

In the last 10 or so years, we’ve all learned more about vicarious trauma and many workplaces are talking about well-being and offering yoga or recommending time out but despite the wellbeing initiatives we’re still seeing burnout and crisis.

Despite all the information year on year, people tell the Bar Council that they remain distressed, are not sleeping well, or are having issues in their families. In other words, we know a lot, but it's not making a difference to people on a regular basis.

One of the things that I've been promoting and talking about this year is the idea of having a proactive, reflective space that you go to regularly, to sit with other people who experience what you experience - not necessarily in the same area of law - and see whether that supportive environment is something that will help.

It doesn't matter what you know about well-being if you don't have time to reflect and really think about where you are at any stage; you don't know whether you're distressed, you don't know whether you're burnt out.

I manage my own wellbeing by being intentional about it. It is scheduled into my life as a non negotiable and includes a daily practice that includes mindfulness, meditation, exercise and good nuitrition and a regular consultation with a professional coach.

Charity: What advice would you give to aspiring Female Barristers?

Barbara Mills: The advice that I would give to any aspiring Barrister is thatif you really want to come to the Bar, you have to understand that it is a highly competitive environment, there are very few pupillages and that you have to be a strong candidate on a number of levels in order to succeed.

If you understand that it's competitive, then you will understand the importance of research. You need to understand what area of law you want to go to and why, whether you want to be self-employed or employed, what sorts of chambers are out there and what are their specialist areas? You need to find out how many pupils they take every year and how many of those pupils go on to become

tenants in the chambers or are offered permanent posts if it’s an employed setting.?

You definitely need to get work experience to be furnishing yourself with actual experience. What you learn at university in theory is often not how it's practised or it can be different.

The other piece of research that you ought to do is to consider how are you going to sustain yourself financially. Are you eligible for one of the many scholarships available in the four Inns?

To the point I made earlier about well-being, I'd also say to any aspiring barrister, you've really got to look after yourself. Know that it's a challenge and from the very beginning put in someone really strong foundations for how you're going to look after yourself throughout and how you're going to make sure that the things that you do to look after yourself are sustainable.

Finally, I'd say to aspiring barristers, there's no such thing as a stupid question. If it's bothering you and you don't have an answer, you've got to ask it, because there is an opaqueness about the Bar. When you’re starting out and you are not fortunate enough to know other barristers, you don't understand how so much of it works – just ask. do.

Charity: In 2005 you trained to become a mediator, and subsequently developed your mediation practice, which you describe as being the stepping stone into a career in the Judiciary.

Specifically, in 2011, you became a Recorder and in 2023, a Deputy High Court Judge.

What was your experience of the judiciary? And

Barbara Mills: My experience of the judiciary has been fantastic.

A lot of people say, “how did mediation become a stepping stone to a career in the judiciary?” What it did was, it took me out of the zone of just thinking about one person.

“Finally, I'd say to aspiring barristers, there's no such thing as a stupid question. If it's bothering you and you don't have an answer, you've got to ask it, because there is an opaqueness about the Bar.”

I'm so proud of my colleagues who are Barristers because we nurture and bring on the next generation of Barristers.

Charity: Especially women of colour, like yourself?

Barbara Mills: I would say that all of that advice applies, but for women of colour in particular, it's really important to you to find a space where you can be yourself. Find your tribe, find your community. There are lots of societies now that look to assist people of colour.

I would say don't give too much energy to anybody who says you can't. That's the thing that I remember hearing a lot of. People expressing surprise when I said, I wanted to be a Barrister. There weren't many like me and there are many more of us now. Be careful what you give your energy to but it's all doable if you've got a soft place to land, which is community. If you've got your tribe and you've got a place to go, you're more likely to be able to not overly focus on the negative. I was able to do that.

I'd also say to a woman of colour that not everybody who will lift you up looks like you. Because actually, a lot of a lot of people who helped me and continue to help me are not women of colour or men of colour. They're allies who see my colour but are able to see beyond my colour and focus on my ability.

And I would say to that woman of colour, lift as you climb. Every step that you take forward, your job, my sister, is to put your hand out and hold your hand out to the next person because that's how we advance. That's how we grow. That's how we keep this thing moving forward.

When you're a barrister; you have a client whose interests you advance.Obviously to do the work well, you think about the other party’s case against you so that you can anticipate the problems and the areas of contest. You also stand in the shoes of your opponent and consider what would be their best points. But it's still adversarial and your focus is necessarily to secure the best possible outcome for your client.

The moment I became a mediator; my focus shifted from advancing and arguing an individual’s case to “how do I help this couple who are in distress resolve their disputes?” I became much more focused on finding the best solution for the family as a whole. It's a mindset shift. As a mediator, my focus is to facilitate conversation between two people who are often angry, sad and disappointed at the loss of an imagined and anticipated future – emotions that make it very difficult for the parties to find common ground, to think about the ways they can compromise and find a solution to the issues in a way that benefits both of them and their family.

My experience of being a part-time judge – whether as a Recorder or a Deputy High Court judge has been fantastic. It sounds trite but when you start sitting, it becomes crystal clear what is and is not going to be of use in reaching a decision. There's a difference between what your client thinks is important and what the judge is going to find relevant to their decision making. And in family cases in particular, you can imagine, people say, “I want the judge to know my whole entire story because they need to know the unfairness that I've suffered.” And the judge is dealing with the child, and their focus is going to be not so much each parent’s complaint about the other but what are the child's best interests? What is actually important? despite the noise, distil the argument and say, “here are my five points.” That's what a judge needs to know.

My experience of being a judge has been great.. The full-time judiciary have been nothing but welcoming to me, whether in my role as a Recorder or Deputy High Court judge, I have felt well supported - nothing but positive things to say about my experience of sitting part time.

Charity: Do you still serve as a Deputy High Court Judge?

Barbara Mills: Now, I was appointed in 2023 for a 6 year term This year as Chair of the Bar, I am employed by the Bar Council and as it's a full-time role I asked for - and was given - dispensation. So, I don't sit this year at all, but I'm still a Deputy High Court Judge and I look forward to sitting again from next year when my tenure as Chair of the Bar ends.

Charity: Congratulations on your tenure as Chair of the Bar Council 2025. Kirsty Brimelow KC, is the Vice Chair, and Lucinda Orr, the Treasurer. This is the first time in the Bar Council’s 131- year history that all three office holders are women!

Does this mean anything for Equality? And Do you see this as progress?

Barbara Mills: It's a huge moment for the Bar Council and for the Profession that its office holders should be three women. It's historical andit's important. In the discussions or in the fight for equality, it's really important that we first stop and mark progress.

But also coupled with that is a real need not to be complacent because we continue to have issues around the retention and progression of women. There is still a disparity in the earnings between men and women and that disparity starts from the very beginning of practice. We have to interrogate that and do better, and empower women to challenge that status quo by asking questions about their remuneration and practice. The Bar Council has developed helpful Guidance and resources to help Female Barristers to have practice reviews with their Clerks.

Charity: In your inaugural address at Inner Temple Hall earlier this year, you outlined your priorities for 2025.

Courts and the Pathfinder courts and how crucial the famiy courts are to the government’s laudable aspiration to halve VAWG in a decade.

As far as Well-Being is concerned, we’re running pilots looking at Reflective Practice. We've got one in Bristol, with Family and Criminal practitioners and one in London with Civil and Commercial practitioners. That is the beginning of helping people to understand the importance of wellbeing and its place as must be a core part of your skill set.

A really good example of what we've been able to do this year in EDI is the Harman Review on bullying and harassment at the Bar. I'm very pleased that Baroness Harman’s report has now landed and she's provided us with 36 recommendations. We have approved and accepted all 36 recommendations and we are now looking very carefully at those recommendations with our various committees and the Bar Council itself to see how we can take them forward. They give us a really useful roadmap to how we can shift the culture to ensure that everybody who comes to the Bar to work, is protected. So I'm really looking forward to working with colleagues on the recommendations and helping to change the overall environment for people.

“Anyone who succeeds at the Bar will have the skills you would expect a barrister to have: intellect, the abilty to craft and deliver persuasive argument both in writing and orally Those skills are a given.”

Raise the profile of family law and to help the Government in its mission to halve violence against women and girls. Pass on the benefits of respecting our wellbeing enough to make it a skill and a core part of effective practice management as a barrister.

Ensure further strides are made in pursuit of equality, diversity and inclusion

Charity: During your tenure, which of these priorities have you been able to successfully address and achieve desired outcomes? And

Barbara Mills: For some of my priorities, like Wellbeing and Equality and Diversity I am adding to what the Bar Council was already doing.

The new area in terms of Policy for the Bar Council is Family Justice and with focuson Violence against Women and Girls.

With Family Justice we’ve highlighted a number of issues including the importance of early legal advice to families in distress, the devastating consequences of the decimation of legal aid, the backlogs in the system, the importance of further investment in solution-focused courts such as the Family Drug and Alcohol

Charity: Notwithstanding the fact that your tenure is only for a year, on which of these priorities have you found challenges and/or it has not been feasible to make progress in achieving the desired outcomes?

Barbara Mills: I don't think I've faced anything that I'd say was an insurmountable challenge.

As chair, knowing that I only had one year, I managed my expectations as to what good would look like this year. So for me, what good would look like on a topic that was completely new, like Family Justice, was me sowing the seeds, watering the seeds, and having green shoots coming out of the soil by the time I left. And that I feel has been achieved by things like getting a seat on the Family Justice Board. There wasn't going to be a tectonic shift on things, but I knew that in a year, what I needed to do was to make sure there were green shoots that others could work on in my absence. In relation to my three priorities, I feel fairly confident to say that that has happened.

What I have achieved has been in partnership with others. I'm really fortunate because the Bar Council has an incredible team of permanent staff who are across all the Policy areas and have worked incredibly hard and efficiently with me. The Bar Council also has over 400 Barristers who volunteer their time and skill to assist us on anything we're doing. Because of those two reasons, I have been fortunate enough across all three of my priorities. I have something to show for that we don't just speak it. We actually have put it into some sort of action, and we are making strides.

Charity: You also stated (in your inaugural address) that you decided to stand for the position of Chair “In part to show what is now possible in this profession and to pass on what has helped me and many others to succeed.”

What has helped you to succeed that you can pass on to other women in general? And

Barbara Mills: Anyone who succeeds at the Bar will have the

skills you would expect a barrister to have: intellect, the abilty to craft and deliver persuasive argument both in writing and orally Those skills are a given.

They also need resilience and to have their mental and physical health front and centre especially if they are self employed in chambers and need to be a part of building their own practice. You also need an ability to soothe yourself if and when self doubt attempts to play havoc at your performance. A practical thing, I say to young lawyers coming through, is that if you doubt how good you are, write your autobiography. Just stop and write all the things that you did well to get you here. Now tell yourself, “How can that person not belong here?” “How can that person not be able to do this job?” You've more than proved that you've got, your GCSEs, your A levels, a Degree, you've done all of these things. So you have to quiet the voice in your head and that's how I've done it.

Charity:

Women of colour?

Barbara Mills: For women of colour, they have to be aware of what stands agaist them and be prepared to do it anyway. The Bar Council’s Earnings Data shows that Black Women are the least well-paid. It shows that we're not getting Pupillage as easily. We may not get Tenancy as easily. There are only 8 Black women Silks and Black Judges. The sitation has not changed much since I started but I would also say, “Look to me – look at what is possible if you work hard, drown the noise out and reach for the stars” Because I did all of this in the 90s. And if I could do it in the 90s, you can do it now.

Social mobility is more than fairness. It's essential for establishing a stable and functioning society. It's important for people to know that they're judged on their talent and ability, not on their background and where they started life. If the legal profession only reflects a narrow section of society, then there's a real risk that it will be disconnected from the very people it exists to serve. Encouraging social mobility helps to ensure that the profession is diverse, representative, truly meritocratic, and it makes a stronger profession for it. That's why it's important and why I give my time and energy to social mobility general generally and specifically.

I'm very proud of the Bar Council because it has a very inclusive and expansive way of looking at everybody who has talent and wants to come into the profession and you will see that over the years, we have given support to all sorts of causes. Within our societies, we have groups that look very carefully at neurodiversity and the law, we have a community of lawyers who support and encourage those who have disabilities to come into the law, there are care-experienced people who are talented, brave, and resilient, who come into the profession and bring with them their experiences. I'm proud to say that the Bar Council welcomes these groups and communities and we are so much better for knitting all of them together.

“There are only 8 Black women Silks and Black Judges.”

We now accept the conditions are not equal and have provided data, guidance and policy documents to help women and women of colour improve their positions. There are also many supportive spaces and groups that women of colour can join and find somewhere they can breathe and relax. One step at a time, one day at a time, we will change this picture.

Charity: What advice would you give to women who aspire to be Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales?

Barbara Mills: I say, do it! Why not? Nothing is stopping you but you. Learn and find out what the role is. Find out the steps that you would need to take. . What sort of work are you going to do to allow you to stay in the profession and earn well? Get involved in Bar Council life. The Bar Council has elections every year - get involved, understand what Bar Council is, what it does for the profession, and join the committees. That's the only route through. Find out what the path looks like and get on it.

Charity: What social mobility causes are you passionate about?

Barbara Mills: I wouldn't want to single anyone out as I'm involved in quite a few. I think the more important question is, why is social mobility important? A lack of social mobility can lead to frustration, division, and waste of potential. And all of those things make a profession poorer for its lack of diversity. When people feel like their backgrounds limit their opportunity, it undermines their trust, it erodes and undermines trust in the institution, and it prevents social cohesion. If you don't have social cohesion, I think you don't have anything.

Charity: What does the future hold for Barbara Mills KC?

Barbara Mills: A month off when I finish at the end of December 2025 to rest, reflect, recalibrate before I return to work. As far as the future is concerned, I'm very fortunate that there are a number of pathways that are open to me that I can follow. It is all very exciting. Watch this space... ■

Barbara Mills KC

Chair-Bar Council of England and Wales 2025 https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-mills-kc-5ab60113/

Interviewed by Charity Mafuba

Editor-in-Chief and Director, Solicitor (England and Wales) New York Attorney Attorney-Supreme Court of the United States

Interview with Elaine Banton

Charity Mafuba talks to Elaine Banton, about her Career as a Barrister and the DEI Initiatives that she is involved in.

Charity: Elaine, can you please briefly tell us about yourself?

Elaine: I am a Barrister practising in Employment Equality, Discrimination and Human Rights. I am also engaged regarding equality and progression within the profession, and this interest drew me to become involved with the Bar Council’s Equality Diversity and Social Mobility (EDSM) Committee some years ago.

Charity: What drew you to a career at the Bar?

Elaine: I grew up on a council estate in Hackney and formulated my ambition when I was 7 years old to become a Barrister. I believe that growing up amongst that harsh reality, the social injustice, (school in special measures etc.) sparked an interest in the law, which I held onto. I saw real evidence on a daily basis, of structural inequality, and I was compelled to stand up for myself and for others at school and within the wider community. I learned many qualities then, that I have fully utilised at the Bar.

Charity: You are experienced in the practice of the following areas of Law; Employment, Equality, Discrimination and Human Rights. Generally-what are some of the cases have you been involved in?

Elaine: When I was called to the Bar in 1996 I didn’t intend to practise in Employment Law, but during my pupillage, I was immersed in what was at the time the longest running Employment Tribunal case, which piqued my interest in Employment Law. I greatly enjoyed the intersection with Human Rights and Equality Law; two areas of law that I had always been intrigued by.

My practise encompasses the whole range of Employment Law but generally focused on Discrimination Law. I represent both Employees and Employers, but I am often known for Employees challenging large organisations, with complex litigation spanning years. I also practise the broad spectrum of discrimination, including beyond employment and have for example, appeared in a significant Windrush Judicial Review, the Covid Inquiry and been brought into appellate work in other jurisdictions, such as Commercial law, for my discrimination expertise.

Charity: Given that you specialise in various areas of Law, how do you stay abreast of the everchanging legislation to ensure that you continue to be an effective and competent Barrister?

“I fundamentally subscribe to “lift as you climb.” This great motto was coined by Mary Church Terrell, founder of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW)”

Elaine: By being a member/committee member of various legal groups and associations, subscriptions, by researching, reading journals and writing legal publications, by attending and speaking at conferences and seminars. By also speaking to colleagues regarding the issues of the day.

Charity: You are a Non Lay Board Member at the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC), What does this role entail?

Elaine: This means that I have been appointed, by the Legal Services Board (LSB) to the Board of the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) which is the Board of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO), as a legal member. On the Board we discuss and oversee the strategic governance of the OLC. Governance is something that I have been involved in since I was a student and was asked to be a school governor of a school in Hackney where I was volunteering at the time.

Charity: In 2024 you received the L500 ESG Ethnicity Champion of the Year Award for your dedication to improving Racial and Ethnic Diversity at the Bar.

Can you please tell us about some of the initiatives that you have been involved in?

Elaine: My practice in equality and discrimination law has always included EDI issues across all employment sectors.

I have worked on diverse and varied policy initiatives with grass roots organisations to global businesses and have always been quite active at the Bar on these issues and therefore over the years I have supported many individuals and initiatives. I was a member of the Bar Council’s Equality Diversity and Social Mobility (EDSM) Committee for over 11 years and Co-led the EDSM committee for four years, including over lockdown when there was an increased opportunity to promote initiatives around racial equality. This involved discussing and advising on various initiatives with chambers up and down the country, from widening the pool and attracting more diverse candidates, to assessed mini pupillage schemes.

Charity: As a Barrister who has been practising for over 25 years, have you seen a marked improvement in Racial and Ethnic Diversity at the Bar?

Elaine: Yes I have to an extent, but there are still challenges around retention and progression, issues that the EDSM at the Bar Council and in particular the Race Panel remain focused on.

Charity: In the spirit of “lifting as you climb” you are also a mentor.Can you tell us about some of the mentoring you have done to date? And

Elaine: I fundamentally subscribe to “lift as you climb.” This great motto was coined by Mary Church Terrell, founder of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), and a founding member the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People).

Mentors have had a profound effect on my career, and I have always given back as a consequence of that.

I began mentoring formally when I was an undergraduate helping school children with their reading at primary schools through Volunteer Reading Help. I wanted to help children with their reading skills, as I realised that in the absence of fundamental resources such as, not having enough teachers or materials, (as I sometimes experienced in my school), I had been able to help myself through reading and taking the lead in my education . Ever since then, I have been a mentor to others.

Charity: What makes for effective mentoring, a great Mentor and Mentee?

Elaine: I believe that mentoring is one of the most impactful things that we can do to help others. You need to be able to listen, discuss and advise. It depends on effective communication and time, on both parts. For me it is a two way process, I am always learning and it is extremely rewarding to see the success of your mentees and as they become mentors and pass the baton on, and so on, as the positive cycle continues.

Charity: How do you balance your work commitments and extracurricular positions with your home and family life?

Elaine: This is a very good question and is always a work in progress that evolves as your career and family life change. I have always been involved with well-run organisations and I am fortunate to have the support of my family. My mother, who is a retired midwife, was firmly on hand when my children were very young, so for example, I was able to appear successfully, in the Court of Appeal when my second son was only 8 weeks old.

My husband is also very supportive. I always say, they are his children and what he does as a father should be normalised, but I fully appreciate that not all households are as equal or shared in terms of family life, as ours is.

Charity: What advice would you give to aspiring Female Barristers?

Elaine: My advice to aspiring female barristers is to obtain as much experience as you can. Attending court and observing the process outside of the confines of a mini pupillage is also useful, and you can see a variety of styles and interactions that will stand you in good stead and build familiarity in these spaces. Take all the opportunities that present, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Join your Inn early, get involved and also join associations for the areas of law that you are interested in, (they give student discounts) make connections now that will assist in the future.

Charity: Specific Advice for Women of Colour?

Elaine: For women of colour it would be useful to have one of your mentors drawn from an ethnically diverse background as their experience would hold particular insights. Consider joining a law association/ network of like minded people too.

Charity: What does the future hold for Elaine professionally?

Elaine: More impactful, appellate work and to keep progressing, growing and expanding, while doing the work that I enjoy.

■

Elaine Banton

Barrister 7BR Chambers https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-banton/

Interviewed by Charity Mafuba

Editor-in-Chief and Director, Solicitor (England and Wales) New York Attorney Attorney-Supreme Court of the United States

Angela Sharma

talks to Legal Women about her Career Journey

to date. In particular, her role as a Barrister.

My parents were Indian immigrants who came to the UK in the 1960s and I grew up in a small village next to Henley. My early interests lay in business and marketing, and I followed what felt like a practical and creative path at the time.

After graduating as a business and marketing professional, I began my career working for an antivirus software company. It was fast-paced, corporate, and ever-evolving. Over time, I became increasingly fascinated by the technology behind it- the logic, the systems, the coding. That curiosity took me to India, where I enrolled in a course in programming and development in Delhi While in Delhi, another kind of education began. I became acquainted with lawyers through personal connections and began observing their court work. I sat in on cases involving Domestic Violence and Family Disputes. The court room filled with people, women victims of violence, along with children in court rooms.

Returning to the UK, I found the tech industry shifting. Outsourcing had become the norm, and jobs were migrating overseas. I pivoted this time into consultancy mostly for Banks and then British Airport Authority, entering commercial legal negotiations dipping into legal work. It was during this time that I decided to formally study law.

I started the Bar Course whilst seven months pregnant. I still remember the raised eyebrows from a few tutors when I walked into a Freshers’ Evening - very much the “Rita” from Educating Rita, with little idea at the time of just how notoriously demanding the Bar Course will be.

My memories of that time are a haze of textbooks, swollen ankles, and an ongoing battle for rest. I revised with a newborn on my shoulder, fed my baby in breaks between lectures, and turned up to exams with barely any sleep. I studied on flights. I revised in hospital waiting rooms. I even carried my law books to Singapore than packing clothes, while I worked there. I made no secret of the challenges I faced, but alongside the struggle was an unwavering determination, strengthened by the consistent support and encouragement of my tutors. For which I am grateful.

I was called to the Bar in 2019 and, following the successful completion of my pupillage, joined chambers where I was instructed across Immigration, Family, and Criminal matters. Over time, my practice has developed a particular focus on Family Law and Criminal Defence

In Family law, I have acted in cases involving Complex Child Arrangements, Domestic Abuse allegations, and applications under the Children Act 1989, as well as Financial Remedy proceedings. I approach my work with a combination of clear, strategic advocacy and a compassionate understanding of the sensitive and often deeply personal issues at stake for my clients.

In Criminal Law, I have defended clients charged with a wide range of offences, from Assault and Theft to more serious matters in the Crown Court. I have experience at all stages from First Appearances in the Magistrates’ Court, through Case Preparation, to Trial Advocacy and pride myself on meticulous preparation and a robust defence of my clients’ rights.

In order to broaden my practice, I undertook the Public Access training and, once authorised to accept instructions directly from members of the public, I completed the additional training that granted me Full Litigation Rights. This allows me to go on the court record as acting for my clients, manage their cases from start to finish, and provide a seamless, end-to-end service without the need for an Instructing Solicitor

The Highs and the Lows

On Being a Woman of Colour at the Bar

I have not personally encountered discrimination in my professional journey. Perhaps I have been fortunate to benefit from a strong support system within chambers, among colleagues, and in my wider social circle. My colour has never been something I’ve had to consciously consider. My heritage, of course, informs me of who I am, but it has never defined or constrained me. I walk into the courtroom with the same confidence, clarity, and conviction as any of my peers.

I have never been subjected to prejudice, nor have I found my opportunities curtailed. That said, I remain acutely aware of the responsibility I carry especially in the eyes of young women, and in particular, women of colour, who may be watching. They need to see not only that this profession is open to them, but that it belongs to them, a space in which they can not only participate, but lead, excel, and redefine.

If you’re considering a career at the Bar, here’s what I’d tell you: There is no perfect time. Life rarely pauses to give you the “right” moment. I studied through pregnancy, divorce, motherhood, and general chaos. If this is truly what you want, start now even with small steps.

“I did not attend a prestigious university, nor did I have barristers in my family. I built my career from the ground. Your lived experience can be one of your greatest strengths. Knowledge matters, but so do relatability and authenticity.”

There have been incredible highs working as a Barrister- especially, the complexity of work I get involved in. I have had high-profile cases, securing life-changing outcomes for families in the family courts, and achieving the best possible sentences for clients in criminal trials. Giving a voice to someone who felt unheard. Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile.

But the lows are real, too. The Law can be a brutal profession mentally, emotionally, and physically. The isolation of selfemployment as a Barrister can feel relentless. There have been moments I’ve questioned myself, times when exhaustion crept in, and when the odds seemed stacked against me. Courtrooms can be intimidating, even when you know your case inside out. The pressure to be perfect especially as a woman, and especially as a mother can feel overwhelming.

There’s also an emotional toll that often goes unspoken. We deal with real human suffering: trauma, abuse, separation, injustice. We absorb so much. And learning how to process that pain without bringing it all home that’s part of the work, too.

I did not attend a prestigious university, nor did I have barristers in my family. I built my career from the ground. Your lived experience can be one of your greatest strengths. Knowledge matters, but so do relatability and authenticity.

Seek guidance and offer it in return I found mentors who believed in me, and I now make it a priority to support others. The Bar particularly in self-employed practice can feel isolating, so build and lean on your professional community.

Trust your voice. There will be moments when self-doubt surfaces. Persist. Your story, your perspective, and your insight are valuable. This profession needs a diversity of voices.

Advocacy is deeply rewarding but emotionally demanding. Boundaries are vital. Rest is not indulgence; it’s fuel. Therapy can be transformative. The strongest advocates are those who take care of themselves as well as their clients. ■

Angela Sharma

Barrister

33 Bedford Row Chambers (19) Angela Sharma | LinkedIn

CMy Journey to the Bar: Reflections, Challenges and Advice

By Shauna Trainor

hoosing to pursue a career at the Bar was something I knew from a very early age having chatted to some female barristers at my Careers Fair at school in 5th Year and I was hooked. From my earliest days studying law, I found myself drawn to oral advocacy and the intellectual challenges that came with it. The thrill of dissecting complex cases, unpicking arguments and weaving them back together in persuasive form gave me energy and focus. The Bar is a career where complacency has no place. The law evolves daily and staying at the forefront requires diligence, hours of preparation and a deep commitment to learning. That dynamic rhythm has always motivated me.

Being a Barrister, in my view, is about becoming a true specialist in your field. It demands persuasive skill, analytical sharpness, and the ability to think on your feet but with the added privilege of making an impact in people’s lives and in society. It was never just a career but a vocation where I could combine intellectual rigor with the human touch.

My Path to Qualification

My journey began with a four-year degree in Law and French at University in Manchester commencing 1995. This course was not simply about absorbing knowledge. Rather it opened my mind to different legal systems, ways of thinking and cultural perspectives along with the joy of properly learning and using a second language. A particularly formative experience was the year I spent at an Institution d’Études Politiques in Lille, France. Immersed in another legal and political environment I learned to adapt quickly by analysing issues from multiple perspectives in a different language and learning to appreciate how law intersects with society on both a national and international scale.

After obtaining my degree I undertook the Bar Vocational Course (BVC), also in Manchester. The BVC was rigorous, stretching my skills in written and oral advocacy; professional ethics and legal research. It was during this time that I cemented my decision to

practice at the Bar. I was subsequently called to the Bar of England and Wales and not long afterwards to the Bar of Northern Ireland, the jurisdiction from which I hail and where I reside and practice. Looking back, that path required determination and stamina, but it also taught me resilience. Law, especially at the Bar, is a long and tough game. There are no shortcuts. The qualification process was demanding but it gave me both the professional grounding and the personal discipline to build a practice over the years that followed.

Areas of Practice

The early years of my practice were a period of wide exploration. I gained experience in judicial review, criminal law, employment law, and family law. Each area sharpened different skills. Judicial review taught me the importance of precision in legal reasoning, criminal work demanded resilience in the face of pressure, employment law gave me insight into fairness and workplace dynamics and family law reminded me daily of the human stories at the heart of legal disputes.

Over time, I found my home at the Family Bar. For 10 years I practised Children’s Law representing parents, guardians, and local authorities in often highly sensitive and emotionally charged cases. Children’s Law requires not just legal acumen but empathy, patience, and the ability to advocate with clarity and give sage and sometimes unwelcome advice when emotions run high.

In the last decade I have specialised exclusively in Ancillary Relief. This area dealing with the financial aspects of relationship breakdown, is intellectually challenging and practically impactful. The cases often involve complex financial structures, business interests, pensions, and property portfolios as well as emotive contents to include pets and sentimental items. Yet at the heart of each case are individuals and families whose futures will be shaped by the outcome. This balance between intellectual challenge and tangible human emotions is why I continue to be energised by my practice every day.

requires ongoing action and persistence and giving assistance to those who require it.

Advice to Aspiring Female Barristers

If I could give one piece of advice to aspiring female barristers, it would be this: keep going. The profession is demanding and the challenges for women remain significant. Certain areas of law particularly criminal and commercial remain male-dominated. Breaking into these fields, establishing credibility and building a sustainable practice is harder for women than for men.

For those who choose to take time out to have a family or to look after family, the difficulties are even greater. Returning to practice can mean rebuilding from scratch with a reduced or even nonexistent caseload. The lack of maternity pay and pension provision for self-employed barristers adds to the challenge.

And yet the rewards of persistence are real. Establishing and maintaining a career at the Bar that you have worked so hard for is immensely fulfilling. You become part of a profession that is intellectually stimulating, that shapes lives and society, and that rewards resilience.

So my advice is threefold:

Persevere: the road is hard, but persistence is often the difference between those who succeed and those who do not.

“The Bar is a career where complacency has no place. The law evolves daily and staying at the forefront requires diligence, hours of preparation and a deep commitment to learning. That dynamic rhythm has always motivated me.”

Social Mobility and Causes Close to My Heart

The law should be a profession of equal opportunity, yet inequalities remain, particularly for women. I am passionate about reducing inequality and discrimination in the legal profession.

The Family Bar in Northern Ireland has thankfully, always been a cohesive and supportive community. I have benefited from that sense of collegiality, and I have sought to give back by mentoring junior female and male members of the Bar. Mentorship is not a one-off interaction rather it is an ongoing relationship. Over the years I have been a Master to several barristers, a role that in my view, is lifelong. Whether it is offering practical guidance on a case, sharing advice on work-life balance, or being a sounding board in moments of doubt. I see mentorship and being a Master as a way to actively shape a more inclusive and supportive profession.

I firmly believe that all more senior members of the Bar have a responsibility to look out for junior members and to ensure that the path is smoother for those coming after us. Social mobility, particularly for women, will not be achieved by rhetoric alone but

Seek support: whether through mentors, colleagues, or professional networks, do not walk the journey alone.

Stay true to yourself: know your values and practice those values.

Final Reflections

Looking back on my career so far, what stands out most is not simply the cases I have worked on, but the people I have met, supported, and advocated for. The law is often described as black and white but in reality is grey.

Being a barrister is intellectually challenging, emotionally demanding, and at times exhausting but it is also a privilege.

To any woman considering the Bar, it will test you, but it will also reward you. And perhaps, one day, you will look back, as I do now, and realise that the effort was worth every moment.■

Shauna Trainor

Barrister

The Bar Library Ireland

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-trainor-b07ba055/

IRhian Jones

Rhian Jones, Family Law Barrister at 30 Park Place

Chambers, talks to Legal Women about her career at the Bar.

have wanted to be a barrister for as long as I can remember. My aspiration was born from television dramas, crime/mystery novels, and the encouragement of my parents (neither of whom were lawyers). Despite my aspiration, I knew little about the reality of what being a barrister practically involved, just how much it would challenge me or how it would shape my life.

I attended comprehensive school in Merthyr Tydfil in the South Wales valleys. The school was located in an area which suffers from significant social deprivation. My educational experience was formative; it gave me a valuable insight into the complex issues faced by parts of society which would become a huge part of my career as a Family Law Barrister.

I read law at Cardiff Law School which was an altogether different experience. In the final year of my degree I began the process of putting together applications for the bar course and for pupillage. I sought out the support of a career’s adviser and I was advised to steer away from a career at the bar on the basis on my ‘mediocrity’. I was devastated and had never contemplated another career. However, I met with a tutor from the Bar Course to gain another perspective. That tutor reviewed my CV and helped me connect my experiences and skills to those required for the bar. It was a crucial lesson not only in the difference which positive support can make but also in the exercise of how to present information differently to advance a particular position – itself a key legal skill.

I applied for the Bar Course and for a series of pupillages and I secured pupillage at 30 Park Place Chambers in Cardiff. During my pupillage I was allocated two wonderful but very different pupil mistresses, what they had in common was their incredible work ethic. They were hugely supportive. They remain wonderful role models and friends. They worked me harder than I believed possible, challenged me and never simply told me an answer I could find myself. They simultaneously taught me the many things

that you don’t find in a book. I was also the ‘surrogate pupil’ of an incredible silk and found my greatest friend and supporter in my first Chambers roommate. The support around me – particularly of those women, and those who have encouraged me, lifted me up, and at times, pushed in me into Court, patched up with a coffee, sugar and words of advice - has been a gift.

I became a Tenant at 30 Park Place in 2009. Despite entering practice with an open mind, my practice quickly found me. My diary began to fill with Family cases, and I discovered that I enjoyed the work. My career rapidly developed, and I found myself quickly undertaking more challenging work with complex and often devastating issues for the families involved.

At 9 years call I was advised that I was entitled to apply for a part time judicial post. With little hope or expectation, I applied and managed to secure an interview but was unsuccessful. I reapplied the following year and that time didn’t even get through the first stage. I had also received what felt like crushing feedback from my previous interview. I hadn’t intended to apply again but with encouragement I did. The interview process took place remotely due to covid restrictions and fell just a few weeks after the birth of my second child. The timing was less than ideal but I was better prepared. In 2021 I secured two part-time judicial posts; Deputy District Judge and Recorder.

Sitting has been another new challenge, particularly as a Deputy District Judge. Arriving at Court to a pile of new files felt and still feels incredibly overwhelming. It is a very different role, but it has taught me a lot as a Barrister. It has brought the powers of the Court sharply into focus along with the competing demands on the justice system and the importance of resolving issues reasonably where possible.

My practice is now exclusively Public Family Law and I continue to sit part-time. The complexity of cases I undertake has continued to increase and I now find that some of my opponents are silks. I manage my career alongside my family life and with two young children life is often chaotic! I am often asked what the future holds, I do not have a clear answer. For now, I feel I have the best of it. I undertake work which challenges me and which I thoroughly enjoy. I am also able to see cases from the ‘other side’ by sitting while still having the support and camaraderie of the Bar and the flexibility of self-employment and local work while my children are young. I have also been afforded other opportunities; I am part of a new project which hopes to improve the opportunities and outcomes for young people in areas of social deprivation in Wales, I give lectures to other lawyers on Family Law issues and I recently participated at an International Women’s Day event. There are always new faces, new challenges, new cases and new opportunities.

However, there are highs which seem to not only balance out the lows, but often entirely eclipse them. There are few feelings which compare to sitting down at the end of a submission or a crossexamination which you know has been a job done well. Suddenly the hours which went into making it such are forgotten and the exhaustion ebbs away. Painstakingly tracing a point through statue, regulations and authorities to finally find the answer and know it is right; is elating. The feeling of achievement in finding a solution to a problem in a case or strategically planning a case to achieve an outcome is deeply satisfying. The other highs are the people and the cases themselves. I love the work that I do, it is important to me. It is intense and the content can be emotive, but I take it seriously because the issues are serious for the people involved.

When considering what advice, I would offer to a person considering a career at the bar I would say the following:

• Find out what the bar is really like and if you choose it as a career try to embrace it for what it is. It truly is a lifestyle, and it isn’t for the faint hearted. There is now a greater focus on wellbeing, but a core characteristic of the bar is that it is a selfemployed profession. That naturally brings with it competition, an absence of traditional management hierarchy and an absence of financial structure for ill health, maternity leave or bereavement. But it also offers liberation from traditional work patterns and typical career trajectories, but you will need to work hard because if you don’t someone else will.

“The Bar is a life of highs and lows. No day or case is the same. Working through thousands of pages into the early hours after your family have trooped to bed is lonely. Sitting down after a crossexamination that didn’t go quite the way you’d hoped can leave waves of inadequacy.”

• Be adaptable and enjoy ‘quieter spells’. Diaries change quickly, cases settle, urgent cases are listed. Different clients have different needs in terms of approaches and communication. Being able to adapt is essential. It may feel unsettling at first, but it will all become easier with experience.

• Focus on your goals and use support to achieve them.

The career’s adviser I met in 2007 may have been right about my CV. But if I hadn’t had that experience, I wouldn’t have improved the document and may not have secured a pupillage. Channel any negativity you may encounter in a positive way, use it to be better, even if sometimes you do it out of spite.

• Use the many people who will be supportive. The bar is actually made up of many wonderful people who answer calls late at night, act as a sounding board for cases. Advocates rooms are rarely well equipped or grand, they are made sanctuaries for lawyers because of the other lawyers inside them. Family and friends also offer invaluable support. I could not maintain my career and be a parent without my husband, parents and friends.

The Bar is a life of highs and lows. No day or case is the same. Working through thousands of pages into the early hours after your family have trooped to bed is lonely. Sitting down after a crossexamination that didn’t go quite the way you’d hoped can leave waves of inadequacy. Reviewing emails after a busy Court day can be anxiety inducing. Declining social activities because you received an ‘updating bundle’ can induce bitterness and sitting at children’s activities with a laptop brings ‘mum guilt’.

• Be yourself, you are not an imposter. When you stand up in Court it’s not about who you know or where you’re from, what matters is how prepared you are, how hard you work, how well you run a case, how you behave and how you bounce back. When I attended my interview at 30 Park Place the doorman gave me some important advice: “Be yourself, because if you don’t, you’ll trip yourself up in there before anyone else does”. ■

Rhian Jones

Barrister

30 Park Place Chambers

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhian-jones-0184a992/

Charity: Elizabeth, can you please briefly tell us about yourself?

Elizabeth: I am currently an In-House Trainee Solicitor at a Tax and Trust Corporation. My current role is in our Estate Planning Team as an Estate Planning Adviser, whereby I advise our fellow professional members on appropriate Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Estate Planning strategies for their clients. I also chair regular trustee meetings in the company’s role acting as a Professional Trustee on thousands of Trusts nationwide and frequently represent the company on professional training courses. I am currently part-way through completing my Solicitor’s Qualifying Exams (SQE) as a Solicitor Apprentice and recently sat my SQE 1 exams in July 2025.

Charity: What interested you about the Law?

Elizabeth: My interest in the Law sparked when I studied it as an A-level subject and began to understand both the complexities of the Law itself as well as the way it could help and assist people in need. I had also never appreciated the sheer number of areas of Law that you could practice in until I studied Law at A-level and subsequently at university.

Working for CTTC also opened my eyes to the world of in-house solicitors and the differences between working at a traditional Law firm and working in-house. During my time at CTTC I have also connected with a lot of individuals who haven’t chosen to follow the traditional route to a career in Law and have pursued alternative careers which is something that isn’t widely discussed at educational levels.

One of the main draws for me in studying and practicing Law is how legislation and case facts can be interpreted differently by different individuals, and each party has the opportunity to put forward their case and opinion. This happens a lot in my day-to-day working life; where my colleagues and I discuss our different interpretations of Wills and Trusts and learn from each other on how different people construe documents. I also love that every day is a school day when working in the law; you will never find any legal professional that knows everything about the area of Law they work in, and

Elizabeth Shimmell

Charity Mafuba talks to Elizabeth Shimmell, an In-House Trainee Solicitor at Countrywide Tax & Corporation Ltd (CTTC), about her legal career to date and her aspirations to become a Solicitor.

just when you think you know a lot about a topic, the Law will change, and you’ll have to relearn the rules you knew before.

Charity: You started out as a Legal Administrator at Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation Ltd and are currently an InHouse Trainee Solicitor.

Can you please tell us more about your career progression through your various roles to date?

Elizabeth: I joined CTTC in 2020, 8 months after completing my LLB Law Degree after struggling to find local traditional firms that would take on graduates with no formal legal experience. My first role was as a Legal Administrator for our Trust Management Team and my work largely involved completing background research on client files and updating our files before trustee meetings were held. Trusts was a topic I had studied at university, but it was not a topic I had grasped a full understanding of; therefore this role really helped my understanding of how Trusts work in practice and what they can be used for.

My next role at CTTC was within a newly created team, the Client Care Team as a Client Care Administrator, set up to oversee all company Anti Money Laundering (AML) checks, handle all General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) processes and also manage any company complaints. This role was a real eye opener on customer care and ensuring the aims of the company were considered when dealing with dissatisfied clients. As someone who growing up has always been described by family members as ‘argumentative’ it was a challenge changing my mindset from being defensive of the Company to working alongside the clients to come to amicable solutions that didn’t alienate the clients. During my time in this role the Team Leader of the department went on maternity leave, and I was asked to take over as cover for this role; this being a huge responsibility and my first opportunity to develop my management skills within the company. I remained in this role for over three years and was given the opportunity to increase my management and leadership skills exponentially.

Following this and as part of my development in my role as an In-House Trainee Solicitor, in September 2024 I moved to our Estate Planning Team and commenced my current role as an Estate Planning Adviser. This role has been pivotal in increasing my technical knowledge on Wills, Trusts, Taxation and much more as well as my Client Care Skills being able to advise clients and fellow professionals directly. This role has also helped develop skills required to pass both elements of the SQE exams

with SQE 2 being more focused on practical assessments; something I think I would struggle with massively if I didn’t have my experience of working at CTTC.

In August 2023 I commenced my Solicitor Apprentice journey through the company’s internal training scheme and enrolled on the course with my training provider. Due to the amount of time that had lapsed since my degree, I agreed with the company to complete an extended SQE preparation course to ensure that I had enough time to get my legal knowledge back up to scratch for SQE 1. I also decided to push back my SQE 1 exams from January 2025 to July 2025 as I had limited time to revise due to a recent house move and renovation project. As of today I am awaiting my SQE 1 results, hoping for success and the start of my preparation for SQE 2 which if I am successful in SQE 1, I will be taking in January 2026.

Charity: What highs and lows have you experienced in your legal career to date? And how have these experiences shaped your outlook as it relates to your career?

Elizabeth: I have experienced many highs and lows during my legal career thus far. Starting from when I completed my A-levels and didn’t obtain the grades required for my first choice university. At the time, as a young student with everyone talking about the importance of grades and getting into a good university, this already felt like I had failed in my legal career. At this point no one had mentioned Solicitor Apprenticeships or any alternative routes to qualification that didn’t involve a degree, so it was hard to envisage a successful career when I hadn’t achieved the grades required for my first choice university. In hindsight my A-level results have had no bearing on the success of my legal career and were simply a stepping stone to getting my degree, which was then another stepping stone to my further SQE qualifications.

Following this, at university I achieved a grade of 2:2, which although still a great achievement, at the time felt like another low and another halt in my legal career as I thought no-one would want to offer me a role when I hadn’t achieved a top grade. This was again something that hasn’t had any bearing on my career to date; not everyone does well under examination and luckily for me that was something that CTTC could understand when I interviewed with them. They understood that exam results are not everything and it’s the attitude, skills and ethics of the applicant that is more important. After the completion of my degree I obtained a place to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) but decided to turn it down in favour of

finding legal work so I could confirm that Law was definitely the area of work I wanted to be in and also to get a flavour for the industry in practice. This was a hard decision to make, especially when I had to watch my university colleagues go on to complete the LPC, obtain training contracts and qualify as solicitors very young. Unfortunately a lot of the industry focuses on qualifying as a solicitor as soon as possible, without considering the importance Legal work experience can have in making more well-rounded, client focused and confident newly qualified solicitors. I do believe that the implementation of the SQE has helped with this -with SQE 2 being focused on practical skills rather than legal knowledge meaning that students who already work in the industry have more experience they can use to their benefit in these assessments.

Even during my time at CTTC, I have applied for other roles within the company and not been successful. The younger me would have been devastated if I had put myself out there, applied for a role and not been successful, but luckily now I see the benefit in this process and the positives that I can take from each experience even if I am not successful in the role.

On the flipside, my career has had many highs, including achieving my A-levels, my degree (after three years of hard work) and sitting the recent SQE 1 exams. Alongside this, CTTC have given me many opportunities to get involved in exciting events and projects including updating our AML and GDPR processes company-wide, writing an article for the Financial Times on taking instructions for wills in a post-covid world, compiling and presenting training to other internal departments as well as other external professionals and being asked to be involved in investigating company grievances.

There are many other instances I would classify as a ‘high’ from my legal career, and on most days at least one part of my day consists of a high point, whether that be me completing a piece of work that has been hanging around on my desk for a while, getting to the bottom of a complex client scenario and coming up with a suitable solution for them or having a catch up with a colleague I haven’t seen for a while. Highs don’t have to be limited to big things like, passing exams, or attending high profile events, a high can be as simple as making it through the workday!

What I like to take from things that I view as ‘lows’ at the time, is that at the time, it often feels like it’s the worst thing that could have happened, but when I take a step back and consider whether in 5, 10, or 20 years’ time it will still be just as important to me or will it be a part of my career that will have faded into the background? Similarly, I find it helpful to reflect often and think about whether 18 year old me would ever have predicted I would be where I am today achieving what I achieve every day!

Charity: Having recently sat the SQE 1 exams, how did you find that experience?

Elizabeth: Overall, the experience was challenging and definitely lived up to the expectations I had heard from other students. It is one of those exams that I believe you will never feel 100% prepared for due to the sheer amount of content there is, and luckily, I had already been told that by a colleague who completed the exams before me and passed successfully.

With twelve modules being assessed as multiple choice questions, this seems hard enough; however the ‘single best answer’ element of the exam puts it in a whole other category of arduous; not only do you have to know the key principles of

twelve different areas of law, you have to be able to tell the difference between five answers that are all technically correct, with one answer being slightly better than the others.

In terms of the location of the exam, it's very strange completing it in a room full of people who are taking different exams to you; in my test centre there were only four of us taking the SQE 1 exam, so there weren’t sufficient numbers for us to have our own room, this meant that we were in a room with other candidates taking driving tests as well as health and safety tests, which was often distracting with people entering and leaving the room at different times to you, talking to the invigilators about their test. The format of the exam itself is also very long, with two portions of 2.5 hour sessions in one day making it a very draining and tiring experience. This is a very lengthy amount of time to maintain concentration, and in the reality of a work environment, you would not be expected to sit for this long with no comfort breaks. Obviously during the exam you can choose to leave part way through for any break you require but the time clock does continue to run, and I found that I didn’t even have time to fully review all of the questions I had flagged, let alone have time for a comfort break.

Overall, the format of the exam and the content is not reflective of real practice, which may be why the pass rates for the SQE 1 are on the lower side. I am currently awaiting my SQE 1 results and am hoping that I have passed this hurdle and can move onto SQE 2 which seems to consist of exams that are more reflective of real practice.

Charity: While it may be too early to determine at this stage, based on your legal experience to date, what area of law do you see yourself practising on qualification?

Elizabeth: My experience of different areas of law in practice is fairly limited, as I have only worked at one legal company since completing my law degree, however I am quite lucky with CTTC as it is part of a group of companies. Across the group we actually cover a few different areas of law such as Wills, Trusts and Probate (in-house), Private Client, Conveyancing, Litigation and Compliance. Also due to the different roles I have had at the company during my time here, I have had exposure to most of these areas and will have further opportunities post-qualification. I currently really enjoy working in the area of Wills, Trusts and Probate and love seeing how I can help both, our clients and other professionals with my knowledge and guidance in this area when they are usually already going through the difficult time of having lost a loved one. I also really love working in-house (although I don’t know any different currently) and hate the thought of having to complete billable hours and other formalities of a traditional law firm so can’t imagine moving away from in-house working in the future. Following qualification I would love to expand my horizons further and get more experience in areas I haven’t been involved in yet such as Family Law, Civil Disputes and potentially Employment Law so I can ultimately make a decision on where I want to be and what practice area I want to work in.

Charity: What advice would you give to young women like yourself who are considering a legal career?

Elizabeth: The biggest piece of advice I would give is, to take opportunities, no matter how scary they may seem or whether it is something outside of your comfort zone. This applies in a workplace context and outside of work in order to enable you to expand your horizons and your networking opportunities. Say yes to that new project your manager is asking if you want to be involved in,

even if you’ve never done any work on a project before and have no background knowledge of the project. Say yes to the networking event even if you have to attend alone and talk to others you’ve never met before.

I would also advise young women to not write off any non-legal work experience they have as irrelevant to a legal career. I worked as a part-time hotel manager throughout my degree and before I started at CTTC, and it was the experience I gained in this role which led to CTTC asking me to apply for leadership positions so early on in my time with them. If you end up in the same boat that I was, looking for legal roles but not having any specific legal work experience, I would focus your applications on the skills you have learned and developed in previous roles and how they are transferable to the role you are applying for. There are companies and firms out there who appreciate that having no legal work experience doesn’t make you unsuitable for an entry-level role and having things like customer service skills and experience in dealing with difficult situations can be invaluable to a legal career.

Young women should always remember that when considering a legal career, experience is essential to know whether it’s the right fit for you or not. As we can see from the SQE, qualifications and exams aren’t reflective of real practice and examinations don’t cover all of the niche areas of law that you can work in. So unless you get real experience working in the area of industry that strikes your interest, you won’t know whether a career in law is right for you.

A legal career can be tremendously rewarding, depending on what you put into it, as generally you will get out of it what you decide to put into it and for me, I wouldn’t choose a career in anything else now!

Charity: What does the future hold for Elizabeth?

Elizabeth: For starters, hopefully I successfully pass SQE 1, and then SQE 2 and qualify as a Solicitor, which has been my long term goal since my legal career commenced. Following this I hope the future holds a successful career in law for me; what a successful career entails, I am unsure of yet and only I will be able to determine at the end of my career whether it has been successful or not to me. But, I hope the work I complete is rewarding and whatever area or areas of law I work in result in me being able to help clients at difficult points in their life and turn often negative situations into a positive outcome for them. ■

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethshimmell-305131105/

Interviewed by

Charity Mafuba

Editor-in-Chief and Director, Solicitor (England and Wales) New York Attorney

Attorney-Supreme Court of the United States

Charity: Jessica, can you please briefly tell us about yourself?

Jessica: I am Jessica Farnsworth, and I currently work as a Paralegal/ Document Reviewer. Prior to this, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master’s in Law Conversion

I now live in London, but prior to attending Durham University for my undergraduate degree, I had always lived abroad. I was born in South Africa and subsequently spent most of my life living in the Middle East. As a result, I really enjoy travelling, or even just exploring new areas. Other interests of mine include; swimming, painting and reading.

Charity: As someone who came from a non-law background (Psychology), what interested you about the Law? And

Jessica: I was interested in the Law before my Psychology Degree, however, at the time I had not gained much experience to solidify this interest. As a result, while I was at University and considering my career choices, I began to gain a wider understanding of the Law. I achieved this through joining the Student Law Society and attending talks/ lecture series given by firms and people in the profession. Hearing from people first-hand and gaining an insight into their personal stories and their experiences

Jessica Farnsworth

Charity Mafuba talks to Jessica Farnsworth, about pursuing a legal career from a non-law background and her aspirations to become a Solicitor.

in law really helped further my interest. Additionally, I found there were a wide variety of sources online that formed a productive starting point into shaping my interest further.

Charity: What was your experience of completing your Masters in Law Conversion Degree as a non-law student?

Jessica: I initially felt that I would be at a disadvantage pursuing a career in law as a non-law student, but that is not the case! In my experience, so many people I have met pursue law without an undergraduate law degree. Furthermore, in my cohort in the Master’s in Law Conversion, there were students who had completed a wide variety of different degrees ranging from Science degrees such as, Psychology and Chemistry, to Art degrees such as English and History, and even qualifications in areas such as Dance. Therefore, there was no need to feel like one’s degree did not ‘suit’ pursuing law. Personally, I preferred completing the Master’s in Law Conversion instead of an undergraduate degree in Law, because it allowed me to complete a different degree that I was interested in and also passionate about, while also keeping open the opportunity to do law – it was the best of both worlds!

Charity: What aspects of your Psychology degree, if any, did you find transferrable whilst completing your Law Conversion Course?

Jessica: I believe that there are so many transferrable skills from any experiences you have! When considering my Psychology degree specifically, there were definitely useful aspects that were transferrable. Firstly, completing a degree requires commitment and can at times be a rigorous process, therefore having this academic drive was a key necessity for the Law Conversion Course because this course is densely packed over a shorter period of time. Alongside this, is the importance of strong time management and organisational skills which can be developed through many life experiences. Furthermore, in my degree it was important to be very analytical and methodical when conducting scientific studies and despite this not seeming relevant to the Law Conversion Course, the core skills this strengthened were really crucial because, a strong sense of attention to detail and an organised approach will always be helpful. Overall, any skills developed throughout life experiences will be beneficial alongside a strong sense of drive when completing the Law Conversion Course.

Charity: What advice would you give to women who are considering a legal career and like yourself, coming from a non-law background?

Jessica: I think one of the most important things is to feel confident in what you are pursuing! Often a lack of confidence can get in the way of pursuing something, and it can be a challenge to actively remind yourself that you can do it! Especially coming from a nonlaw background, it may feel like everyone is already ahead of you, or knows everything that you don’t, but this is not the case! I know personally I had doubts relating to this, but I could not have been more wrong!

Charity: Can you please tell us about your role on the Junior Lawyers Division committee with the WHLS (Westminster and Holborn Law Society)? And

Jessica: I am a member of the Junior Lawyers Division Committee with the WHLS. Having joined the WHLS and attending several events I wanted to have more of an active role in the society. Through the society, I was able to make connections with others who were already serving on committees and enquire about joining. The Junior Lawyers Division was recommended to me, and I am so glad to be a part of it! We plan events aimed at students and professionals who are in the early stages of their legal careers, to facilitate learning more about the legal profession and enable networking to form connections with others. Moreover, I have a background in event planning from my experience in my University College society, hence I really enjoy being able to use my creative planning skills to help organise the events we host. My role on the Junior Lawyers Committee also led to me being invited to, and joining, the WHLS Social Committee. Within these committees, each member does not have a specific rigid role but rather we work collaboratively depending on what is needed. Events range from, Summer Parties to Speed Learning Sessions, and we have a busy schedule of upcoming events to look forward to, so make sure to stay up to date with the WHLS for more information on these!

Charity: How this has role has enabled you to engage with the legal community?

Jessica: This role has been really beneficial to my engagement with the legal community. Firstly, it has allowed me to build stronger connections with the other members on my team as we work together as part of these committees, and it has also expanded my connections with others on the WHLS as a whole. Furthermore, as part of organising these events, we reach out to a broad range of legal professionals such as solicitors, barristers, paralegals and King’s Counsels. Overall, this has definitely enabled me to

meet many more legal professionals in the community that I would not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet. Additionally, we run the events for those who are early in their legal career, like myself, which means I am also able to meet and connect with many people who are at a similar stage to me ,and share experiences and advice. Overall, it is an excellent opportunity to expand my network, learn from others, and establish meaningful connections!

Charity: While it may be too early to determine, based on your legal experience to date, what area of law do you see yourself practising on qualification?

Jessica: I have tried to gain a broad range of legal experience in a number of different areas of law to help me decide on which area of law I would most like to pursue. One such area that really interests me, based on

an area of law can be so different to what is expected, and often people’s perception can end up changing drastically when qualifying. Therefore, I am excited to continue to build on my experience in different areas of law before I reach qualification.

Charity: Who are some of the women in the Legal Community that you admire and find inspiring? And why?

Jessica: I have attended many legal talks and have had the opportunity to hear from some amazingly inspiring women in the Legal Community. For example, each year, the WHLS hosts an International Women’s Day event and this year I was able to attend the panel discussion where I heard from four women about their inspiring stories of perseverance into a legal career. Each woman that spoke had a different story and journey to share but each was very inspiring and motivating.

“I think one of the most important things is to feel confident in what you are pursuing! Often a lack of confidence can get in the way of pursuing something, and it can be a challenge to actively remind yourself that you can do it!”

my legal experience and also my general experiences, is Landed Estates. Having completed a Land Law module at University I then undertook work experience in this area of law and gained a deeper understanding of the processes involved. I completed work experience at two law firms where I was able to engage in a wide variety of legal tasks. For example, I was able to gain exposure to a wide range of legal documents and procedures for various matters in the freehold and leasehold process, while learning in depth about cases from an expert in the area. These tasks ultimately allowed me to gain a more practical understanding of this area to overall supplement my academic understanding. Additionally, I am also really interested in following developments and news articles in this area. Hence, ultimately, I developed a strong interest in this. However, I am also very open to continuing to gain broad experience in different areas of law before qualifying. Having had the opportunity to speak to people in the legal field, it is apparent that actually working in

Moreover, I recently attended the Legal Women’s inaugural launch event, ‘Sisters in (the) Law’, moderated by yourself. At this event I heard from another panel of inspiring women, including the Former President of the Law Society of England and Wales. All of these women spoke about their own journeys within the legal field, as well as their personal lives, and gave insightful advice.

Alongside events like these, I am also inspired by my friends and colleagues around me who I know personally. We have all come from different backgrounds with a shared motivation to pursue law and developed uplifting and supportive relationships, which is truly inspiring. I am lucky to know them and be able to celebrate their success.

Charity: What does the future hold for Jessica?

Jessica: I am looking forward to what the future holds. I aim to complete the SQEs to move closer towards qualifying as a solicitor. I also hope to travel some more too! ■

Jessica

Farnsworth

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicafarnsworth-149369254/

Interviewed by Charity Mafuba

Editor-in-Chief and Director, Solicitor (England and Wales) New York Attorney Attorney-Supreme Court of the United States

Nida Ahmad

Nida Ahmad talks to Legal Women about her Legal Career to date and her aspirations to become a Solicitor.

My name is Nida Ahmad. I was born and raised in Botswana, to a family of Indian descent who moved to Southern Africa in the 1970s. My background is a ‘melting pot’ of wonderful cultures and experiences. Several years ago, I left my family and home in Botswana to pursue further education in the UK. Today, I work as a Corporate Paralegal based in Birmingham, for a large national law firm.

I have always been naturally curious. From a young age, I loved reading and writing, and that inquisitiveness pushed me to try a range of opportunities to learn new skills. Those experiences felt random at the time, but looking back they were anything but random - they prepared me for the path I am on today.

Before university, I wanted to solidify my choice to study law, so I sought diverse work experience to affirm this decision. I spent a few weeks in a Personal Injury Firm, a week in a Commercial firm, and travelled to Malaysia for Litigation experience. I documented what I learnt, compared the legal cultures I encountered, and used those experiences to confirm my inclination to study law. In my free time, I would observe court trials as a member of the public, read constantly and contribute to student blogs to improve my writing skills.

I completed the LLB Law Course at the University of Bristol, graduating in 2022. Like everyone else, the pandemic affected me deeply and made the future feel uncertain. It also intensified the competition for training contracts and forced me to reflect on what I truly wanted from a career.

After graduating, I chose to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) while continuing to apply for roles. The application process was gruelling, and maintaining momentum amidst rejections was incredibly tough, but the LPC was transformative. It showed me how real-life practice would look, and helped me visualise myself in the profession.

Commercial Awareness

At university, I avoided Corporate and Commercial Law, as it felt intimidating. My crippling impostor syndrome had convinced me that I was not ‘cut out’ for what appeared to be a highly competitive and harsh environment. However, whilst studying for the LPC, I found that I could grasp business-related topics well. I realised I had overlooked an important asset in my life.

Growing up in a family of business owners, dinner table conversations were centered around topics such as Shareholder Disputes, Directors Duties, Financial pressures, Competition, and more. This exposure granted me commercial awareness long before I had a name for it. Making that realisation was crucial. I began to think of clients as business people, and found it intuitive to care about what mattered to them.

None of them were lawyers, but they practised negotiation, problem-solving, client care and leadership every day. I borrow their techniques - bravery, practical judgement and human attention in my work, and I consider them models of the professional traits I want to embody.

Final Advice

Some key tips which I found helpful:

Collect Skills Constantly: every job, placement, article or conversation teaches something you can use.

Translate Your Story: explain how your background shapes your perspective or practical insight.

Act Despite Doubt: apply, volunteer and say yes to stretch opportunities even when you feel underqualified.

Build Inner Confidence: practice talking about your achievements, so belief becomes visible in interviews and applications.

“As a piece of final advice, I hope all aspiring female lawyers remember this: your experiences, background, and interests are all valuable and useful assets to the industry.”

As a result, I had an understanding of what excellent client service would look like in a corporate context. Once I learnt to connect my life experiences to the law in a more honest and genuine way, I saw greater success in my applications, and that shift led me to my current role as a Corporate Paralegal.

The importance of role models

For me, the women in my family are my role models and who I aspire to emulate in a career in the law. My maternal grandmother was strong-willed and brave beyond measure. People turned to her with their problems, and she mediated disputes with calm authority. When I left Botswana to study and build a life away from family, I channeled her steadiness and courage. My paternal grandmother is a powerhouse entrepreneur who started a business in the male-dominated construction industry and excelled. Watching her navigate risks, run a business and command respect taught me resilience and how to take up space in environments that were not designed for her. My mother manages complex family relationships and the family business with skill and emotional intelligence. She reads people, deescalates tension and keeps long-term relationships steady. When I think about client relationships or observing human behaviour in negotiations, I think of her approach first.

Seek to Learn: ask thoughtful questions, and be open to every ‘atypical’ experience - whether it is a conference, a short course, or a coffee chat with a mentor.

As a piece of final advice, I hope all aspiring female lawyers remember this: your experiences, background, and interests are all valuable and useful assets to the industry. Please treat every opportunity as a chance to collect and refine a new skill. You can excel even if your background looks different, even if there are perceived barriers, and even if you feel you are not “good enough.” The first person to believe in you must be yourself. The minute you do, that confidence will show in your applications and you will ultimately be successful! ■

Nida Ahmad LLB,LLM LPC Paralegal-Clark Willmott LLP

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nidaahmad299/

Shannon Gawley

Charity Mafuba talks to Shannon Gawley, Associate at Carson McDowell LLP, and Immediate Past President of the European Young Bar Association about her legal career.

Charity: Shannon, can you please tell us about yourself?

Shannon: I graduated with a degree in Law (LLB honours) from Queen’s University, Belfast in 2016 and obtained my professional qualification from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. Having completed my training contract with Carson McDowell LLP in Belfast, Northern Ireland, I qualified into the Commercial team where I currently work as an Associate Solicitor. I specialise in a range of commercial matters including general commercial contracts, technology and innovation, data protection and intellectual property

Outside of my day-to-day role, I’ve always been very engaged with young lawyer networks. I had the privilege of serving as Chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors’ Association (NIYSA), and later as Vice President and President of the European Young Bar Association (EYBA). These roles gave me the opportunity to represent young lawyers at home and abroad, and to build connections with peers on an international level.

Charity: What interested you about the Law?

Shannon: At school, I was very passionate about drama, which taught me the importance of communication, confidence and understanding different perspectives. Those same skills play a vital role in law whether you are advocating for a client, negotiating a contract or presenting an argument. In many ways, my love of drama and performance sparked the realisation that law, too, is about voice, persuasion and perspective but with tangible impact.

For me, law was also appealing because it combined problem solving with real world impact. I’ve always been drawn to analytical thinking –unpicking issues, weighing up arguments and finding solutions, and law provides the perfect outlet for that. That balance of intellectual challenge and practical relevance is what made me want to pursue it.

I recognised early on that a career in law has the power to opens doors. It equips you with skills that are transferable across industries and even across borders, and that sense of possibility was a major source of inspiration for me.

Charity: What are the seats that you completed during your Training Contract? And why did you decide to qualify and practice in the Commercial team?

Shannon: During my Training Contract, I completed seats in litigation, corporate, employment, commercial and property. Each seat was valuable because it gave me a taste of different practice areas and different working styles. What struck me about commercial law was the variety: one day you could be drafting terms and conditions for a start-up, the next advising a large company on an intellectual property dispute.

I enjoyed how forward-looking commercial law is; rather than resolving disputes after they happen, you are helping clients build strong foundations and anticipate risks. I liked the mixture of technical drafting and practical negotiation, as well as the close contact with clients. Ultimately, I decided to qualify into the commercial team because it felt like the area where I could add value and where I would continue to be challenged.

“When you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed”

Charity: Have you ever experienced Imposter Syndrome at any point in your Legal Career? And if so, how did you overcome it?

Shannon: Absolutely! I think many lawyers, especially women, can relate to that feeling of wondering whether you’re “good enough” or whether you belong in the room. For me, it often surfaced when I took on leadership positions at a relatively young age, like stepping into the role of Chair of the NIYSA or later becoming President of the EYBA. It’s easy to question yourself when you look around and see more experienced voices at the table.

What helped me overcome it was reframing how I thought about selfdoubt. I came to see it as a sign that I was challenging myself, rather than proof that I was inadequate. I also leaned heavily on mentors and peers, people who reminded me that nobody knows everything, and that asking questions or making mistakes is part of growth. Over time, I’ve built confidence by focusing on preparation, trusting my own judgement and reminding myself that my perspective is as valid as anyone else’s.

Charity: Can you please tell us about your respective tenures as President and Vice President of the European Young Bar Association?

Shannon: The EYBA is a pan-European organisation that represents young lawyers from across the continent, and being involved at leadership level was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career so far. As Vice President and subsequently President, I was able to work with colleagues across jurisdictions, learning from their different legal systems and cultures while also finding common ground in the challenges young lawyers face from career development to work-life balance.

A particular highlight for me was bringing the first EYBA Autumn Conference to Belfast during my presidency. It was a moment of pride to showcase our city to international delegates, highlighting Belfast’s resilience, talent and vibrancy. I was also honoured to be invited to participate in the ‘Future of the Profession’ address at the European Bars Federation (FBE) Congress in Switzerland, and to speak at the European Presidents’ Conference in Vienna – two incredible opportunities to share the perspective of young lawyers on a global stage.

My focus in those roles was making sure young lawyers had a strong voice in shaping the future of the profession and on building networks that go beyond borders.

Charity: Can you please tell us about your tenure as Chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors Association?

Shannon: Leading the NIYSA was both a privilege and a responsibility. The NIYSA plays a vital role in representing young solicitors locally, providing opportunities for professional development, networking and support. When I stepped into the role of Chair, I wanted to make sure the NIYSA was truly reflective of its members and responsive to their needs.

One of the most rewarding parts of the role was creating events that combined career development with community building. Law can be a demanding and isolating profession at times, so having that network where people can connect, share experiences and support one another is invaluable. A particular highlight for me was creating the first ever joint event between the NIYSA and the Young Bar of Northern Ireland, which brought together young solicitors and barristers in a way that strengthened collaboration across the wider profession.

Chairing the NIYSA also gave me insight into the structural challenges young lawyers face in Northern Ireland and reinforced my belief that strong representation is key to shaping a more inclusive profession.

Charity: What Social Mobility causes are you passionate about and why?

Shannon: I’m passionate about breaking down barriers to entry into the legal profession. Too often, law feels inaccessible to people who don’t come from certain schools, backgrounds or financial means. I care particularly about outreach and mentoring – reaching students who might not have lawyers in their family, or who might not otherwise consider law as an option and showing them that the path is open to them. I believe

in the power of role models, and I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference it makes when someone sees a lawyer they can identify with and look up to.

Social mobility is not just about widening access, but also about making sure those who enter the profession feel supported to thrive once they’re here. For me, it’s about levelling the playing field at every stage – from first exposure to law, through to progression into leadership.

Charity: Who are the women in law that inspire you and why?

Shannon: I’ve been fortunate to have local mentors – mostly women who’ve shown me that leadership doesn’t have to mean fitting into a traditional mould. Their ability to combine authority with authenticity, and professionalism with empathy, has been deeply inspiring.

On a broader scale, Michelle Obama has always been a huge source of inspiration to me. While she may no longer practise law, her legal training shaped her voice on issues of access and opportunity, and she has spoken with real power about the responsibility that comes with success. She once said, “When you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed” – a sentiment that resonates deeply with me. It perfectly captures what I believe the legal profession should stand for: not just individual achievement, but ensuring the path is open for those who come after us.

Charity: What advice would you give to other women who are considering a career in law?

Shannon: First and foremost, believe in your ability and don’t underestimate the value of your perspective. Law needs diverse voices and yours matters. I’d also encourage everyone to seek out mentors and allies – people who will support you, challenge you and encourage you to go further than you might think possible.

Law can be a demanding career, and at times it will test your resilience, but it is also incredibly rewarding. It offers opportunities to make an impact, to grow continually and to carve out a career that reflects your interests and values. Don’t be afraid to take up space, ask questions and say yes to opportunities that challenge you.

Charity: What does the future hold for you?

Shannon: Looking ahead, I want to continue developing my expertise in commercial law, building long-term client relationships and deepening my understanding of the industries I work with. At the same time, I plan to remain engaged in projects that support young lawyers and social mobility, as these causes are an integral part of my professional life.

I don’t see my future as a fixed destination but rather as an ongoing journey of growth, leadership and service. My ambition is to build a career that balances technical excellence with meaningful impact – where I not only deliver for clients but also contribute to shaping a more inclusive and resilient profession. Whatever direction my career takes, my aim is simple: to keep opening doors, both for myself and for those who will come after me. ■

Shannon Gawley

Associate – Carson McDowell LLP

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-gawley-6149529a/

Interviewed by

Charity Mafuba Editor-in-Chief and Director, Solicitor (England and Wales) New York Attorney Attorney-Supreme Court of the United States

My Previous Career

At twenty-four, I departed St. Vincent and The Grenadines with a spring of hope and optimism, bound for service in the Royal Navy. My decision to join the service was strategically motivated as the recruitment pitch promised opportunities to study whilst serving, which seemingly presented an ideal pathway to my ultimate goal of studying law. However, in my youthful enthusiasm, I failed to consider the practicalities of pursuing my academic ambitions whilst managing the demands of military life.

The subsequent six years tested every aspect of my resilience. The initial challenge of transitioning from civilian life to the disciplined structure of naval service was just the tip of the iceberg. As a serving mother stationed on sea-going vessels, I faced the difficult responsibility of raising my young son, diagnosed with autism whilst maintaining my professional duties. This period brought a plethora of personal trials: psychological abuse, a diagnosis of anxiety and depression, contemplated self-harm, divorce, and professional stagnation.

During these challenging years, my legal aspirations remained preserved and carefully tucked away in my consciousness. The combination of procrastination, adversity, and severely diminished confidence had effectively silenced my academic ambitions, yet they never truly disappeared.

The turning point came when I finally "emerged from the parapet,” as I came to think of it, with the sole purpose of developing my exit strategy. This moment of clarity marked the end of six years spent in survival mode and the beginning of my deliberate return to the path I had always intended to follow. With my aspirations back on track and steadily in mind, I enrolled with the Open University's Law Undergraduate program, to once and for all start my legal journey ball-a-rolling.

My Interest In Pursuing A Career In Law

My path to law began in the margins, I grew up in an extended family household where employment was scarce and hope was a foreign concept. I lived with my beloved grandmother (of blessed memory), several cousins, and occasionally two uncles, while stories of my mother remained as elusive as urban legends. During church services or school dismissals, I would watch longingly at other children with their parents, studying the family dynamics I was denied, trying to understand what I was missing.

Nedra Daniel

Nedra Daniel, Private Client Solicitor, talks to Legal Women about her Qualification Journey and Legal Career To Date

Throughout those formative years, my grandmother would repeat a colloquial saying: "you live by the careless ones". This was her way of saying that I had no one (parents) to depend on, my livelihood was through handouts from whomever decided to offer support on a given day, to survive. Other than bartered provisions between the villagers, like hands of green banana, breadfruit, plantain and other earthy vegetables, our household depended entirely on irregular handouts from uncles or aunt from abroad. This precarious existence instilled in me an iron-clad determination to forge a different future.

My natural curiosity manifested early through relentless questioning, an attempt to make sense of why I was “orphaned” or just generally to understand the world around me. One of my cousins, perhaps exasperated by my curiosity, began calling me "Miss Fletcher," a reference to the inquisitive detective from the television series Murder, She Wrote. What she intended as gentle mockery for my "nosy" nature, I initially resented. However, as the nickname spread throughout our household and became my primary identifier, I eventually embraced it, embodying everything the character represented.

Though I admired Jessica Fletcher's detective work, I recognised that path wouldn't satisfy my deeper aspirations. I sought something that could channel my innate curiosity while serving others in their quest for a solution. The absence of my biological parents created more than just emotional wounds; it represented a fundamental lack of representation in my own life story. Years of investigating why I didn't know my parents evolved into a broader understanding of how the law could provide both answers and advocacy for those similarly marginalised. My childhood experience of living without proper representation unearthed a deep appreciation for the legal system's potential to fill such voids for others.

The Path To Qualification - Eleven Years In The Making

Over the past eleven years in my pursuit of qualifying as a solicitor, I have learned that no two journeys are identical and that the path to qualification is rarely linear. During my seventh year of Royal Navy Service, I commenced my legal studies at the Open University, spending the majority of my academic tenure at sea. My typical working pattern was 7 days per week, sometimes with half a day off and the hours spanned from 5am to 9pm. This unique circumstance presented extraordinary challenges, particularly the absence of reliable internet connection necessary for timely assignment submissions and the time to put in meaningful work in my studies.

Given these circumstances, achieving a lower second-class degree felt like a genuine triumph. While many might view a 2:2 as disappointing, I celebrated it as evidence of extraordinary perseverance. This academic period coincided with profound personal losses, including the death of my grandmother, my only parental figure, ongoing battles with depression and anxiety, and numerous other challenges. In this context, any degree completion represented success beyond grades.

Transitioning from military to civilian legal employment presented new obstacles. Entry-level positions consistently demanded years of experience, creating the classic paradox of needing experience to gain experience. With my goal to qualify securely in mind, I decided to start at the very bottom of the ladder to get my feet in the door by any means necessary, so I applied for an Office Assistant role at a Legal 500 firm. Despite holding a Master's degree, I recognized that strategic positioning sometimes requires temporary steps backward to ultimately move forward. This move meant a massive sacrifice from military salary to a support staff salary; this is the ultimate example of what starting over really looks like.

This decision initiated my legal career, a journey characterised by opportunities and setbacks in equal measure. I encountered rejections, intimidation, unfulfilled promises, and moments of demoralisation in epic proportions. Yet through each firm and every challenge, one constant motivation sustained me: my son.

As a single mother raising a son with autism, the weight of providing opportunities for his development while pursuing my professional goals created constant tension. Summer holidays became particularly stark reminders of my limitations, watching other children attend camps while mine couldn't, due to programs running impossible hours for a working single parent. Even during my LPC studies, attending fulltime on Universal Credit with severely limited resources, every decision carried financial consequences. In the end, the strength of my resolve to see my journey through to its conclusion, regardless of the obstacles, defined my path to qualification and will continue to inform my practice as a solicitor.

Areas Of Law I Have Experienced

Dependants) Act 1975, I assisted clients seeking to challenge Wills and Estate administration. This exposure to disputed inheritance matters provided crucial insight into the potential vulnerabilities in Estate Planning, which fundamentally developed my approach to Will drafting.

Understanding both sides of Estate Planning, the careful construction of testamentary documents and their potential contestation, has made me a more thorough and thoughtful practitioner. When advising clients on their Wills, I now draw upon my knowledge of common dispute grounds to craft more robust documentation and provide more comprehensive guidance.

This diverse experience across multiple practice areas has created a well-rounded foundation that serves both my clients and my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Each area has contributed unique perspectives that enhance my overall legal practice, demonstrating that seemingly unrelated experiences often prove interconnected in valuable and unexpected ways.

Career Aspirations

As a newly qualified Private Client solicitor, I am focused on deepening my expertise across all facets of this practice area while strategically positioning myself for advanced specialisation. My immediate professional objective centres on achieving STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualification, which will enable me to handle increasingly complex Tax and Trusts matters with greater confidence and competence.

“Your background is not a limitation to overcome but a qualification worthy of celebrating. The SQE pathway has removed many traditional barriers, now it is your determination and unique perspective that will set you apart.”

I feel naturally drawn to the intersection between traditional Private Client work and Contentious Probate practice. While most firms maintain strict departmental boundaries between these two areas, I believe there is significant value in developing crosspractice competence. My experience in both area has revealed how contentious matters often arise from inadequacies in initial estate planning, and conversely, how understanding litigation risks can substantially improve the quality of estate planning advice.

The foundation of my legal experience lies primarily in Private Client Law, an area that continues to provide immense professional satisfaction. The client-facing nature of this practice allows me to directly assist individuals during significant life transitions, advising on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Probate matters. There is something uniquely rewarding about guiding clients through these deeply personal legal processes, often during emotionally challenging periods in their lives.

My experience expanded into Lending Law over the course of approximately one year, focusing on mortgage lending transactions. This role involved representing lenders in the majority of cases, though I also gained valuable experience in dual representation matters where we acted for both borrower and lender. This exposure to different perspectives within the same transaction type enhanced my understanding of commercial lending.

I spent a brief period in Property Finance, this represented what I initially believed would be my ultimate career destination. When the opportunity arose, I was convinced I was finally positioned where I belonged professionally. However, this experience ultimately demonstrated that career paths often involve unexpected turns.

During my training contract, while Private Client work remained my primary focus, I gained exposure to other practice areas. A stint in Family Law provided insight into children matters, broadening my understanding of how legal issues intersect with family dynamics. This experience proved particularly valuable given my own experiences as a parent.

Perhaps most intriguing was my seat in Contentious Probate, which offered a fascinating counterpoint to my Private Client experience. Working on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and

This dual expertise would enable me to serve clients more comprehensively, not only creating iron-clad estate plans that anticipate potential challenges but also providing seamless representation should disputes arise. The ability to advise clients on both the contentious and non-contentious aspects of estate law represent a unique professional proposition that could differentiate my practice.

My Advice

Your background is not a limitation to overcome but a qualification worthy of celebrating. The SQE pathway has removed many traditional barriers, now it is your determination and unique perspective that will set you apart.

To those beginning this journey, your circumstances do not define your ceiling and look at every challenge you have surmounted as preparation for the challenges you will face when you eventually qualify. Trust in your ability to succeed, remain committed to your vision, and remember that the legal profession will be strengthened by your presence within it.

The path may not be linear, but with persistence and careful and intentional planning, it will lead to qualification and a fulfilling career in law. ■

Nedra Daniel Private Client Solicitor Carpenter & Co Solicitors

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedra-daniel-28aa4392/

What interested me about the Law?

From an early age, I became aware of the powerful impact that helping others to navigate complex issues could have in their lives. My family immigrated to the UK from Bangladesh when I was very young. Growing up as the child of immigrant parents who moved to the UK as adults, I often found myself acting as a bridge between them and the unfamiliar systems they had to engage with.

I came to understand just how stressful and confusing such processes can be when the language, culture, and rules are unfamiliar. Taking on this role from a young age, I realised not only that I had an ability for breaking down and explaining complex information, but also that I enjoyed being able to help others feel more secure and confident in difficult situations.

This experience taught me that having access to the right information and someone who could explain it, can have a hugely positive impact. I began to see how systems, especially legal and bureaucratical ones, can either empower or hinder individuals, depending on their ability to navigate them. As I grew older, this awareness developed into a deeper interest in Justice, and the Law in general. Law, to me, emerged as the ideal way to turn these values and interests into a meaningful career.

My academic interests have always complemented this passion. I genuinely enjoy researching, questioning, and understanding how different things work and how they could be improved. During my legal education and subsequent professional experiences, I found particular interest in Public Law. What appeals to me most about this area is its impact on people’s lives on both individual and societal levels. Public Law deals with the relationship between individuals and the state, touching on issues of rights, accountability, and access to justice, all areas I care deeply about.

My Journey to Qualification

My journey to securing a Training Contract was a challenging one. It took me a few years of continuous applications, and I always knew it would be competitive. I prepared myself mentally for those

Halima Rashid

Halima Rashid, Associate at Browne Jacobson, talks to Legal Women about her Legal Career to Date.

setbacks, but of course, dealing with the rejections as they came in was tough. Still, I kept an open mind and continued applying in the hope that one day I’d finally secure a Training Contract.

In the meantime, as I worked toward qualification, I took a position with Neath Port Talbot Council in their Childcare Legal Team. It was originally just a one-month temporary role, but I ended up staying there for three years. It was during that time I decided to broaden my horizons and took a HR (Human Resources) Advisor role Although it wasn’t strictly a legal role, it did involve Employment Law risk analysis. This experience really helped me build additional skills that ultimately strengthened my applications. In the end, that willingness to explore different roles contributed to me building up my skill set and diversifying my experience.

I then moved to a role at the Home Office. This was an extremely busy, high-profile environment. That role gave me firsthand insight into how Policy and Legislation really work together in practice. It really allowed me to appreciate the sometimes delicate and nuanced balance between legislation and policy objectives.

I then moved on to HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs), as a Litigator, where I got to practice law in the courtroom, representing HMRC at tribunal.

In the end, all those experiences, taking on less traditional roles, broadening my horizons, and navigating different areas of a business, really came together to help me secure a training contract. The day I finally qualified was an incredibly proud moment.

The Areas of Law I have Practiced to Date

Over the course of my career, I’ve been fortunate to work across a diverse range of practice areas. I began in Public Children’s Law, supporting childcare proceedings and safeguarding matters. My career then took me into Employment Law during a period working as an HR Advisor, where I gained practical experience handling workplace disputes and HR Policy Interpretation

I later moved into the field of Immigration Law, with a particular focus on Asylum, Human Rights and Humanitarian Protection

“With hindsight I can say every setback I suffered was an opportunity for me to grow, and every experience, no matter how difficult, contributed to my development.”

During this time, I was also exposed to Public Law, in particular the potential challenges that could be made against the decisions of the Home Office. I’ve also had the opportunity to work in Tax Law, specifically relating to VAT (Value Added Tax) surcharges and the legal principles governing Indirect Tax. This experience deepened my appreciation for the technical aspects of Regulatory Law

During my Training Contract with the Welsh Government, I returned to my core interest in Public Law. I was involved in a wide range of work, including Judicial Review Litigation, Statutory Interpretation, Advisory Work and drafting Secondary Legislation. This experience solidified my commitment to public service and deepened my understanding of how the Law operates at the intersection of Policy and Governance

In my current role as a Public Law Associate at Browne Jacobson LLP, I practise across both Litigation and Advisory work. On the Litigation side, I manage Judicial Review and County Court matters, from Pre-Action through to Resolution, as well as preparing cases for hearing alongside counsel. I also provide post-decision advice on appeals and the wider policy impact of judgments. Alongside this, I advise a broad range of Public Sector clients, including Central Government and Local Authorities, on complex Public Law and Constitutional issues. My work spans legislative drafting and review, statutory interpretation, vires analysis, and human rights assessment. A key focus of my role is delivering pragmatic, riskfocused advice that ensures policies and decisions are legally robust and defensible.

Future Career Aspirations

Looking ahead, my aspirations centre on expanding my expertise in Public Law. It’s an area that continues to challenge and interest me, and I’m keen to build on the foundations I’ve already built. That said, I remain open-minded about where my professional journey might lead. One of the most exciting aspects of working in law particularly within the Public Sector arena is the constant evolution of the political landscape and the challenges it brings.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work on several high-profile projects, both during my training with the Welsh Government and in my current role at Browne Jacobson LLP. These experiences have not only enhanced my technical legal skills but also provided valuable insight into how Public Law operates in complex, realworld scenarios and the challenges faced by Government when designing and implementing legislation. At the Welsh Government, I was involved in work that directly shaped governance at a national level during the pandemic. Now, at Browne Jacobson LLP, I continue to be involved in meaningful work, advising government bodies such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Marine Management Organisation. These roles have offered me the opportunity to contribute to matters of national significance, often at the intersection of law and policy. I hope to continue working on legal issues that have a tangible impact, while growing as a well-rounded legal professional. Public Law remains at the heart of my ambitions, and I’m excited to see where my journey takes me.

Equally important to me is contributing to the legal profession beyond my day-to-day work. Throughout my journey, I’ve benefited greatly from the guidance of others, and I’m passionate about giving back in the same way. I’ve been involved with ‘one million mentors’, this experience was incredibly rewarding, allowing me to contribute to someone else's journey by offering practical advice, sharing lessons learned, and serving as a consistent source of encouragement. It reinforced my belief in the importance of accessible role models and the transformative power of supportive professional relationships.

Advice

If I could offer advice to those just starting out in the law, it would be to embrace resilience. The legal profession is demanding and there will inevitably be moments when it gets overwhelming or uncertainty kicks in. Whether it's facing rejection or grappling with application deadlines, these challenges can test your confidence. But it's in these very moments that resilience becomes your greatest asset.

With hindsight I can say every setback I suffered was an opportunity for me to grow, and every experience, no matter how difficult, contributed to my development. Like most things, the law is a field built on continuous learning, and no one enters it fully formed. It’s important to remember that progress isn’t always linear and sometimes you have to adapt or explore other avenues, as I did. There will be highs and lows, but each day is a fresh opportunity to build on what you’ve learned, refine your skills, and move forward.

Also keep an open mind about your career journey, things don’t always fall into place straight away, but every role you take on, even those outside of traditional law can give you valuable skills. Be kind to yourself, always. It’s easy to compare your journey but your path is your own and comparison really is “the thief of joy” Stay curious, ask questions, and seek out experiences that align with your values and interests.

Most importantly make sure you find a role and organisation that fits you and aligns with your values and interests. ■

Halima Rashid Public Law Associate Browne Jacobson LLP

Halima Rashid | Browne Jacobson

Iwas called to the bar in 2005. After a few years in Criminal Practice, I moved into the Professional Legal Education sector. I have been helping candidates qualify ever since. I have taught and assessed on the LLB (the qualifying law degree), the GDL (Graduate Diploma in Lawthe post-graduate conversion course), the LPC (Legal Practice Course -the vocational solicitor training course), BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course) and even the QLTS (Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme-the route for overseas-qualified solicitors to cross qualify in England and Wales). I have been delivering Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam (SQE) assessment training since before the assessment’s inception. I sat the pilot SQE assessments in 2019 and then cross-qualified as a Solicitor in May 2025 by taking the SQE assessments as a candidate.

A Changing of the Guard: The Shift from Law Firms to the SRA as Gatekeeper to the Profession

By Emily Allen

The Old Guard: Law Firms as Gatekeepers

The traditional route was often criticized for its high costs and lack of consistency between providers. Entry requirements and teaching standards for the LPC varied. Candidates had to complete a two-year training contract in order to qualify. Some would complete the LPC and then find it impossible to secure a Training Contract. The system left the law firms as arbiters of who could enter the profession. This bottleneck favoured those from more privileged backgrounds and left some with expensive qualifications they could not use.

Financial Burden and Exclusivity

The combined cost of the GDL and LPC was a major barrier to candidates. Some candidates would have their fees paid for by large firms, while the rest often took on significant debt with no guarantee of a training contract. This created a two-tier system.

The QLTS Model as a Precursor

TAt this time, the QLTS provided a route for foreign-qualified lawyers to become solicitors. The QLTS, with its two-part assessment structure Multiple Choice Test (MCT) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), acted as a kind of pilot program for a standardized, national exam. BARBRI entered

the UK market before SQE’s inception and created a targeted, online preparation course for the QLTS, which was based on their very successful US-bar prep courses. The success of BARBRI candidates demonstrated the viability of the BARBRI preparation model for a more flexible course for a standardized assessment. The experience from the QLTS directly informed BARBRI’s design and delivery for SQE prep.

The New Guard: The SRA Take Back Control

When the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) introduced the SQE assessments in 2021, they introduced a single, consistent standard for all new solicitors, regardless of their background or route of study. Candidates no longer needed to secure a training contract to qualify as a solicitor. They needed to secure two years relevant experience within the legal sector, but this could include paralegal work, voluntary work or any other work that met the SRA’s criteria. Securing a training contract was no longer the barrier to entering the profession, and law firms no longer could decide who could and who could not qualify. Instead, the new barrier was the SQE assessments (and anyone who has sat these exams will be able to tell you it is QUITE the barrier), and the arbiter of who can qualify is the regulator, the SRA. This shift to the regulator as gatekeeper is necessarily a good thing; who better to decide who gets to call themselves a solicitor, after all?

The Rise of SQE: An Educator's Viewpoint

For training providers, the SQE represents a seismic shift. The training market is now deregulated, creating an array of preparation options offered by universities and private providers.

The SQE's Challenging Standard: From the SRA's own data, it's clear the exams are challenging, with low pass rates. Past papers are not published and failing candidates cannot review their mistakes to prepare for resits. Of course, it is only right that the standard is high and that only competent candidates can qualify. However, the lack of transparency on the papers is a big challenge for candidates and can make preparing for a resit challenging and demotivating.

High Stakes Investment Choices: While the potential for lower costs exists, the lack of standardized course fees means candidates who are not sponsored by a firm face a challenging, high-stakes situation. Taking a lower-cost, self-study approach without the support of a comprehensive prep course is risky, given the low pass rates for those who are not well-prepared. I would not recommend sitting these assessments without a comprehensive prep plan; the assessment is a big enough challenge even when thoroughly prepared.

Room for Improvement: Shaping the Future of Legal Education

Better Guidance and Collaboration: The key to improving the candidate experience is for the SRA, Training Providers and Candidates to work together to ensure candidates are well-informed about the new landscape. The SRA has made great progress in sharing information on its assessment drafting processes, but there is more work to be done. Candidates need access to past papers to be able to learn and improve for resits.

“The shift to SQE is more than just a change of exam; it is a fundamental reconfiguration of the legal education landscape. It’s an exciting time, which elevates the SRA to its rightful position as gatekeeper to the profession.”

The Good: Increased access and flexibility

Wider Access to the Profession: One of the most significant positives is the SQE's potential to break down barriers to entry. The ability to accrue Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) in a variety of settings, not just traditional training contracts, and the removal of the mandatory law degree open up new pathways.

Flexibility and Innovation in Training: Without the rigid structure of the LPC, educators have been free to innovate. For example, BARBRI have been able to provide courses that use spaced repetition and adaptive technology to help learners absorb large amounts of content, without having to think about how to study effectively and without having to cram. Study is highly flexible, part-time, and online; candidates can complete SQE alongside a job, opening up access into the profession.

A Focus on Assessment: From a purely pedagogical perspective, the SQE's format forces a greater emphasis on testing skills and knowledge acquisition for a specific assessment. This is a contrast to the more open-ended, traditional LPC assignments. The assessment experience is high stakes and high pressured; arguably, it helps prepare candidates for what they may have to face once in practice.

The Bad: Unintended Consequences and Challenges of SQE

A race to the bottom? The deregulated market risks a proliferation of low-quality, "teach to the test" preparation courses that do not adequately prepare candidates for the realities of practice. Law firms may not have confidence the SQE alone will be enough to prepare students for practice.

Integration of Modern Skills into Training: The SQE focuses heavily on Core Legal Knowledge and Skills. However, the profession is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI(Artificial Intelligence), Legal Technology, and changing Client Expectations. Legal Education must move beyond purely Substantive Law to include skills in Legal Tech, Data Analytics, and Project Management. As AI handles more routine tasks, the demand for high-level, human-centric skills will grow. The SQE should be complemented by educational pathways that strengthen critical thinking, ethical judgment, and creative problemsolving. BARBRI have developed a host of Prep for Practice courses to support candidates in gaining the technological skills and soft skills to enter the legal profession well equipped for practice, beyond the SQE assessments.

The shift to SQE is more than just a change of exam; it is a fundamental reconfiguration of the legal education landscape. It’s an exciting time, which elevates the SRA to its rightful position as gatekeeper to the profession. For candidates, it places a greater burden on individuals to navigate a complex, unregulated training market. My advice is to be realistic and take your time; it is better to take longer to prepare and pass than to have to face a resit. BARBRI have different course lengths to suit all candidates; make sure you take the time you need to be ready. You can do this! ■

Emily Allen

Senior Tutor and Legal Editor at Barbri https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-allen-8400b455/

Dr Chris Walsh, Head of Learning and Development at The Law Society, talks to Legal Women about: The Evolving Landscape of Legal Education

The Bigger Picture

A Forbes article published at the end of 2024 made a series of predictions about trends that will define learning in 2025. The author identified lifelong learning as one of the most important of these, claiming that it “…has become the mantra to live by – for professionals, there’s a need to consistently upskill and reskill in order to keep pace with rapid changes in technology and the world of work.”

This is especially important in a field such as the Law, where the parameters of knowledge are constantly changing. As noted in the Forbes article, the need to constantly re and upskill is compounded by the rapid pace of technological change, the increasing influence of AI, and the need to refine professional competences as practice diversifies. A commitment to lifelong learning has also become more important as routes into the profession become more labyrinthine.

The Law Society’s Education Offer

The Law Society’s education offer is unrecognisable from where it was a few years ago. We needed to modernise to fulfil the training requirements of our 200,000 members, who come from all types of firms and practice areas across England and Wales and beyond. We were also mindful of the challenges members faced in meeting Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements, including the need to offer solutions that enabled members to be successful lifelong learners.

To address these challenges, and to make the offer as accessible as possible, we launched a fully digital education programme in late 2021. The education offer is delivered via Law Society Learning, our digital learning platform. We started with a handful of courses, but we’ve now released nearly 700 content items since launch.

“The Law Society’s education offer is unrecognisable from where it was a few years ago. We needed to modernise to fulfil the training requirements of our 200,000 members, who come from all types of firms and practice areas across England and Wales and beyond.”

Our content is split across two broad streams. The first stream supports individuals and firms to fulfil the training requirements of The Society’s Accreditation schemes – some of which are mandated - in practice areas including Conveyancing and Immigration. The second steam is CPD, which is comprised of entirely non-mandated content. There’s a really diverse range of content in this stream ranging from microlearning modules that use an AI tool to present content in different modalities, to longer form content such as Diplomas that give members the tools they need to thrive in contemporary practice. The CPD stream also contains a dedicated careers service, which provides members with one on one careers advice along with sessions dedicated to help members return to or change direction within the profession.

Members told us that they were worried about showcasing their lifelong learning to clients, peers and employers. Moreover, members also told us they found it increasingly difficult to keep track of all the activities that contributed to fulfilling continuing competence requirements. On the back of this member insight we built a Digital CPD Diary; this is an under one roof solution that automatically records anything completed on Law Society Learning, plus anything that is done locally or as self-directed learning. It also recognises that contemporary CPD comes in many shapes and sizes, so it includes the function to record non-formal things like podcasts.

Commitment to Members

What constitutes legal knowledge and compliant practice is always evolving, and our curriculum has been designed to both embed and anticipate these changes. The offer is holistic in that it provides content on a range of areas including Black Letter Law, Risk and Compliance, Business and Commercial Development and outputs dedicated to career development and wellbeing

We also know how busy our members are, which was one of the main drivers for making the offer fully digital. All of our content can be used anywhere and at any time; it is entirely self-paced, and it can be consumed at times that align with our learners’ professional and personal commitments.

Post-qualification career pathways and routes into the profession are increasingly non-linear. We know that members need ways to showcase their credentials and commitment to lifelong learning throughout their careers, and our microcredentials and Diplomas have been designed to do just that. These are longer form courses that take anywhere from a minimum of six weeks to a maximum of three months to complete; in both of these courses learners get personalised feedback from our expert faculty and a Law Society branded digital badge which they can share on their socials and take with them throughout their careers. Importantly, assessment has been designed to reflect the types of challenges members will face in practice, and all feedback is actionable and practical.

Challenges

The main challenges facing post-qualification legal education and training can be distilled into three main areas: the pace of change, the evolving nature of professional competences and what it means to be a proficient contemporary practitioner, and the ongoing impact of the Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam (SQE).

We hope we’re dealing with the pace of change as well as we possibly can at The Law Society via the fully digital offer we provide. This means we can nimbly update existing content and provide new content when there are notable changes to practice.

The rapidly evolving nature of professional competences is also partly informed by the pace of change, but there’s also a wider point here about what good looks like for contemporary legal practitioners. Of course, being a highly proficient expert in your practice area is still incredibly important, but there are layers of other skills that need to be added to that in today’s environment. This includes the constant reframing of Tech and Client Care Skills, an awareness of how to manage and get the best out of different generations in the workplace, and familiarity with how to optimise legal design and business services.

The third challenge – the ongoing impact of the SQE - is perhaps the most complex of all. To date it hasn’t been the democratising force for good it initially promised to be, nor is it yet producing ‘day one practice ready’ graduates. SQE1 one asks candidates to cover an astonishing amount of material, but the heavily MCQ biased assessment at this stage perhaps doesn’t align with how these problems and challenges emerge in practice, whereas the breadth of coverage required for SQE2 accentuates what is already an extremely stressful experience for many. Addressing the socioeconomic disparities it has perpetuated along with filling important knowledge and competency gaps is a challenge all legal educators need to face into.

What’s Next?

Confronting the challenges posed by the post-SQE landscape is an immediate priority, which we will do by filling gaps in knowledge and competences and providing wellbeing and careers support where we can. Beyond that, supporting solicitors with AI – in terms of adopting it, demystifying it and optimising it’s for use in practice – provides a real opportunity, especially as it continues to change the traditional roles and services within the profession.

If you’d like to find out more about how Law Society Learning can help your lifelong learning journey you can do on here https://learn. lawsociety.org.uk/ ■

Dr. Chris Walsh, Head of Learning and Development

The Law Society

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-walsh-4b21b232/

A Changing Picture

Leadership in Law: From Precedent to Practice

By

Irene Adeyinka

We often look to senior colleagues for leadership. Partners who bring in clients or Barristers who achieve landmark judgments remain visible examples of success. These achievements are part of leadership, but they are not the whole story.

Law is a knowledge-based profession. Its strength depends on people. It is shaped by how colleagues share expertise, how they work together and how they support those around them. This is why the so-called soft skills are not secondary. Listening and communicating clearly are what make leadership effective. This shift is not separate from leadership. It is leadership.

One example is the leader who takes a moment to explain a decision, giving colleagues clarity. Small acts like this build trust and confidence across teams. It is a reminder that leadership is experienced in everyday behaviours.

The Law Society has highlighted that, alongside technical expertise, skills such as empathy and cultural awareness are now essential for long-term success. In a profession where judgments carry weight and decisions affect people’s lives, the ability to lead with clarity and respect is not optional. It is essential. As the profession changes, leadership cannot remain defined only by precedent. For example, The Law Society’s 2025 guidance on Ethical Organisational Culture emphasises emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills and communication, while its 2025 Toolkit on Race and Ethnicity Inclusivity highlights the importance of cultural awareness and inclusive leadership.

From Case Wins to Culture Wins

Thomson Reuters’ State of the UK Legal Market shows that General Counsel value advisers who can partner with them to solve problems, not just provide technical expertise. They want clear communication,

collaboration and commercial awareness. In other words, they want lawyers who understand people as well as the law, including precedent.

Inside firms, the same applies. What colleagues often remember most is not the transaction itself but how they were treated during the process of it. A Trainee may recall the Associate who took time to explain a complex point. A clerk may remember the respect shown by a Barrister under pressure. The way you behave is as important as the work you deliver. These moments show that the way you behave is as important as the work you deliver.

“The way you behave is as important as the work you deliver.”

For years, leadership in Law was measured by billable hours, new clients or judgments won. These achievements still matter, but clients and colleagues now expect more.

Research in organisational psychology supports this. People engage more when leaders create conditions of psychological safety. These are not abstract concepts. They are the practical choices leaders make each day in how they set expectations, how they listen and how they respond when pressure rises.

As Amy C. Edmondson explains in The Fearless Organization (2018), psychological safety is not a luxury but a foundation for learning, innovation and trust.

Strategy Meets Practice

Every legal organisation has policies, frameworks and values statements. They matter. They provide structure and set direction. But they do not tell the whole story.

Culture is lived in the day-to-day. It is set by what leaders do, and just as often, by what they do not do. Colleagues notice how leaders handle routine situations. Do they take the time to explain decisions? Do they give credit where it is due? Do they make space for others to contribute? These actions reveal what leadership truly means in practice.

In law, the examples can be simple but significant. A partner who listens to feedback before making a call signals openness. A manager who explains the reasoning behind a difficult decision creates clarity. Each choice reinforces, or undermines, what the organisation says it “stands for.”

Research such as Google’s Project Aristotle found that the most effective teams were not defined by technical skill alone. They worked best when people felt safe to speak up, share ideas and admit mistakes. That kind of culture cannot be written into policy. It is created by consistent behaviours that build trust. Culture is not written in frameworks. It is shaped in the moments people experience each day.

Leadership Across the Whole System

Leadership in Law is not limited to Partners or Barristers. It runs through every part of the system. HR (Human Resources), Finance, Front-ofHouse, and Operations colleagues all shape the conditions in which legal work is carried out. Their leadership may be less visible, but it is no less influential.

Edgar Schein’s work on organisational culture reminds us that leaders shape culture most clearly by what they consistently pay attention to. In Law, this might involve tone in an email, acknowledgement of a colleague’s effort, or respect shown during a client meeting. These are not incidental. They are evidence of leadership in practice.

“Leadership is not a title you hold. It is a practice you choose.”

Examples are everywhere. HR colleagues who design transparent promotion processes reinforce fairness. Front-of-House staff who set the tone when clients or witnesses arrive create trust from the very first interaction. Finance colleagues who create accessible budgets give teams the tools to deliver effectively. In Chambers, Senior Clerks who distribute work fairly set the tone for equity and trust. In courts, Administrators who make information easier to access for litigants in person directly influence how justice is experienced.

The International Bar Association has emphasised that collaboration and cultural awareness are essential for modern practice. These skills are not confined to lawyers. They are required across the profession if it is to meet client expectations and adapt to change. Leadership is at its strongest when every part of the system is recognised and supported.

A Call to Practise Leadership

If leadership is not confined to title, then it is something everyone can practise. For organisations, the challenge is to connect systems and behaviours. Policies set expectations, but daily behaviour shows whether they are genuine. When the two align, trust builds. When they do not, credibility suffers.

For individuals, the invitation is to notice leadership in the ordinary. It might be how you explain a decision, how you listen, or how you respond under pressure. These actions shape culture as much as strategy does.

Small shifts can have a significant impact. A Senior Lawyer who moves from correcting every detail themselves to trusting their team creates space for growth. A manager who replaces silence with feedback builds confidence. Leadership is not built on rare moments of authority. It is sustained by repeated actions that show clarity, respect and consistency. Leadership is not a title you hold. It is a practice you choose.

Reflection Questions

●• How do my daily actions affect the people I work with?

●• Where might there be a gap between what is written in policy and what people experience in practice?

●• Who shows leadership in my organisation, even without a title, and how can I recognise it?

• Leadership in the Law is changing. It is moving from precedent to practice. The next step belongs to each of us.

Leadership in the Law is changing. It is moving from precedent to practice. The next step belongs to each of us. ■

Irene Adeyinka, Executive Coach

Website: https://www.ireneadeyinka.com/

“Culture is not written in frameworks. It is shaped in the moments people experience each day.”

Early Stages of my entry into the Law

I decided to go to University and read Law at the age of 18, some 24 years ago, a decision which was based predominately on logic and practicalities over passion- if I am being perfectly honest. I spent my childhood dreaming of becoming a Veterinarian, but once the prospect of pursuing A Level Chemistry and Physics became a reality, I decided to put that dream firmly to bed. I felt that an LLB would be an impressive degree, but that it also had the potential to lead to a great career if it turned out that I did in fact like the Law. Whenever there have been bumps in the road on my legal career journey, my daughter would always say “It’s OK mummy, why don’t you just become a vet now?!” Fortunately for me, that logical decision made in my teens has led to an unfaltering passion for the Law, despite the challenges securing a career in the profession.

When I graduated in 2004, I was pretty tunnel-visioned that it was the social justice orientated law subjects that I would practise, if at all: namely, International Human Rights Law. I had not pursued Vacation Schemes or Training Contract opportunities during my undergraduate degree, rather I had carried on the paid employment that I had loved since I was a teen: childcare. I worked in daycare nurseries, babysat and nannied, and a career in law felt really rather distanced.

My passion for travel led me to complete a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification shortly after graduating, and I completed a community development project in the favelas

Melanie Arens talks to Legal Women about her Legal Career to date, and why she founded Later on Lawyers

of Rio de Janeiro in 2006. It was the most formative experience and initiated my passion for working with disadvantaged communities that would shape the next 15 years of my working career.

When I returned to the UK after Rio, I applied to volunteer with my local Youth Offending Service (YOS). I sat as a Community Representative on “referral order panels” where the task was to agree tailor-made restorative justice contracts with the young person and their parents. I knew then that this marriage of Law, Justice and working with children was the fit for me – and I was delighted to secure a job as a Youth Crime Prevention Officer shortly after. It was challenging work, but very rewarding and purposeful too.

However, my ambition to qualify and practise as a Human Rights lawyer never left me and alongside my local authority work, I applied for human rights centred Training Contracts year after year. I was met with endless rejections, so I pursued an LLM in Human Rights at Birkbeck part time by night school to further increase my chances. I always felt that I could not leave a career I enjoyed or invest financially in the next stage in legal training (at that time, the Legal Practice Course) without the security of a Training Contract. Of course, the qualification process for solicitors in England and Wales has changed in recent years, and I like to think that anyone in a similar position now wanting to tentatively leap off their career track would feel more assured by the broader path created by Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) under the new regulations.

Further to my LLM, I left the YOS to experience frontline human rights law in action through a variety of rights-based internships in Geneva, Switzerland. However, this period coincided with the global recession, and it was hard to get paid consultancy work off the ground. So, I returned the UK and picked up with my public sector work again: this time predominately supporting young people leaving the care of the local authority. This work would form the bulk of my career for the next decade, until I finally got my first ever law interview and Training Contract offer in 2017 – a sign for me to finally take the leap and commit to a career in the law!

Progressing into the Law

As you can see, working in and around the law was always on the career agenda in some shape or form, I just needed the security of a Training Contract as a springboard. It really has been a rollercoaster of a journey; at one point my law degree technically expired, but then a change in the regulations reversed this and the path to qualification was laid open to me once more. It’s one of the reasons I am so passionate about arbitrary barriers to law being broken down: like the current 2032 deadline for LPC graduates to qualify under the traditional Training Contract route. If I’ve been able to qualify last year with my ancient LLB, so should they with their potentially much more current LPCs!

I think a major change in my destiny occurred when I opened my mind a little more to the fact that my desires in law were really just a reflection of wanting to carry out people-orientated and meaningful work, and that that could be achieved beyond the narrow “Top 20” Human Rights firms to whom I had relentlessly applied so far. When I cast my net more widely, I achieved success.

I had something to contribute there!) that revealed there were lots of other people like me out there qualifying later in life – or trying to - and that there would be real value in connecting us altogether. And so “Later On Lawyers” was born. I had no great agenda for the group; I just knew that I needed the solidarity of these people and then everything else happened very organically from there.

What does Later on Lawyers do?

At the time of writing Later On Lawyers has over 700 members with international reach:- including, North and South America, Australia and India. The membership comprises mainly mature aspiring legal professionals (including Solicitors, Barristers and those who are unsure!) that have had a career before law or are returning to it after a break. Members are welcome to join at any stage in their journey, whether they are just tentatively exploring a career change or have completed it. The mandate of the group is networking, community and support. The members and I regularly post everything from, inspiration and motivation, to tips for career change, and industry insights

“At the time of writing Later On Lawyers has over 700 members with international reach:including, North and South America, Australia and India.”

Earlier this year, I started twice monthly online meetings to provide a confidential space for members to connect more deeply with one another. It gives me immense satisfaction to see them so uplifted for knowing they are not alone in their brave and unwieldy move into the legal world.

I do whatever I can to assist the community; from individual mentoring, advice and guidance to raising their profile and bagging them offers (like discounts on legal education products).

Why I founded Later on Lawyers

I personally really enjoyed returning to university, hard as it was, as a working mum to two young children (I had my second daughter half way through the LPC). But it was entering the private sector and legal sphere for the first time that was the most challenging thing for me. It was such an utter culture shock from my working life experiences thus far. I expected long hours and complex work, but what I couldn’t have prepared for, was (sadly) the way I felt treated as a junior professional and working parent. I left my first training contract due to dissatisfaction with their approach to flexible working as a trainee, and I had some very challenging personal experiences in private practice thereafter. It opened my eyes to some of the systemic wellbeing issues in the legal industry, and has made me really passionate about the importance of healthy workplaces, especially at the junior end of the legal profession and for working parents.

When I qualified last year, I felt a bit lost and that I hadn’t really found “my fit”. I took time to reflect on my next steps and decided I ought to build my professional profile online. I soon came across the work of Jen Shipley, a legal influencer on LinkedIn who champions non-linear paths to law. It was a chance comment that I made on one of her posts regarding qualification journeys (clearly

I was honoured this year to have been invited to contribute to Globe Law and Business’ Second Edition of “Beyond Bias: Unleashing the Potential of Women in Law”, where I’ve written a chapter highlighting the barriers faced by mature women trying to enter the legal profession later on in life. I could not have written the chapter without the insights so kindly shared by the Later on Lawyers community and I’m incredibly grateful for all the members have assisted me with this past year. I’m excited to see where the group goes next: hopefully we can break some of the unjustifiable barriers to law for all of the exceptional and brave career changers in the years to come. ■

Melanie Arens

Justices’ Legal Advisor in Training with HMCTS Founder of Later On Lawyers https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-arens54b162206/

Black History Month

In October, Legal Women featured 12 women from across England and even one based in Germany, in Celebration of Black History Month based on this year’s theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”

Our contributors shared their individual takes on what “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” means to them personally, and how they demonstrate this in their daily lives.

Additionally, they also outlined their perception about some of the ways in which the Black Community have demonstrated “Power in Protest” (for example -speaking out, standing firm or sparking change)

Finally, they shared their personal lists of “Black Icons of Influence” who have demonstrated “Leadership with Purpose” and Presence with Power”. I have highlighted 4 profiles from our 12 amazing contributors, and the rest of profiles can be accessed on our social media pages. ■

Jozanne Layne

This years’ theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, focuses on a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe.

What are some of the ways in which you have and continue to “Stand Firm in Power and Pride”

I left my home country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at nineteen years old to pursue Undergraduate studies in Taiwan. While Taiwan seemed like a completely different world, vastly different from my Caribbean heritage, customs and comfort– I leaped into the unknown expectantly. I was instantly immersed in an unfamiliar culture, a new language and met with the challenge of adapting to my new home.

Very early into this five year journey, I became very aware of how I easily stood out in most surroundings and the fact that I was most people’s first interaction with a “Black Girl”. I felt like there was an unspoken responsibility on me to Stand Firm in my Blackness and represent young Black Caribbean Women well. This meant pushing myself to excel in classes and earn a position in the top 10 percentile each semester. It meant holding on to my Vincentian accent amid a sea of Faux- American English accents. It meant participating in Caribbean Exhibitions, Festivals and Cultural events proudly adorned in my national colours. It meant Standing Firm in Power and Pride of the soil from which I was raised, proudly representing the millions of Black Women globally who see past obstacles, discomfort and predetermined paths yet excel in achieving their goals.

Moreover, as I grew more into adulthood, I realised that while pride in one’s National and Ethnic Identity are critical to who we are as Human Beings, it cannot be the only pillar of our identity. As I became more exposed to various cultures, differing ideologies and perspectives I realised that ultimately it is my Faith and Empowerment from God that are the most important elements which have enabled my resilience and strength in defying odds in a vastly different and challenging environment.

What are some of the ways in which the Black Community has demonstrated “Power in Protest?”- (For example -Speaking Out, Standing Firm or Sparking Change)

One of the beauties of the Black Community is our geographic and influential vastness. Our protests, presence and voice were catalysts to movements of Freedom, Equity and Justice across the Americas

and Africa. In the United States of America(USA), the Civil Rights movements saw mass civil upheavals against the normative racial segregation and discrimination in its southern states. Led by formerly enslaved Africans and their descendants, these years of protests demanding for Federal protection and rights resulted in the ratification of the Civil Rights Bill which restructured the USA Government obligations to protect the inalienable rights of its Black Citizens.

In the context of the Caribbean and Africa, our interconnectivity is one that is not just symbolic or built on camaraderie, but also built on our shared pain and struggle to rebuild our nations after the treacherous 500 year displacement to and from our borders. Today, we continue to endure the undisputable repercussions of the Atlantic Slave Trade and colonization and are jointly demanding that our voices be heard at international forums as we campaign for Reparatory Justice.

This deliberate decision made in 2023 to jointly address this issue was a momentous step taken by the African Union and the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Today, the African Union and Caricom Stand Firmly together in Power and Protest as we demand reparations from colonial powers. This act defines the beauty of our protest– one that transcends civil unrest and plaque cards– one that borrows from the brilliance and scholarship of our scholars, historians, lawyers and leaders. It breeds expertise exchange and forces public accountability from the colonial powers who have never claimed responsibility for their contribution to the challenged social and economic development of African and Caribbean states. As we continue to demand the return of our artefacts and history, demand financial compensation and acknowledgements, we also Stand Firm in Power and Pride of our unity as a Diaspora in our shared history and will to protest.

Who are some of the “Black Icons of Influence” that have demonstrated “Leadership with Purpose” and “Presence with Power”?

When I think of the Black Icons of Influence who have demonstrated Leadership with Purpose, I immediately think of how the first Black American President, Barack Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama’s mere presence in the White House challenged society and revealed the inveterate racial disparity that in over two hundred years, only in 2009 allowed for its first and only Black President.

Then, when I give deeper thought into how the Caribbean contributes to social movements and have also birthed powerful leaders who have (and continue) to shape the world, I think of Toussaint Louverture of Haiti, formerly enslaved, became freed and led to Haiti becoming the first freed nation in the Caribbean centuries ahead of many other Caribbean nations. He led the Haitian Independence Movement during the French Revolution (1787–99) by his exceptional military capability–training and leading an enslaved peoples Guerilla group. Beyond his physical abilities, Louverture’s brilliance was evident in his negotiating and strategizing skills. He led with purpose by forming alliances and initiating coups of colonial powers. This movement became the inspiration of many other revolts that led to the emancipation of other Caribbean Islands.

Not limited to the colonial times, in modern politics, we see the rise in influence of Barbadian Prime Minister, Mia Mottley who champions climate justice at the United Nations and COP (Conference of the Parties) Conferences. Her voice continues to hold Developed countries accountable to their responsibility to take actionable steps in protecting the environment amid the inequitable expectation of far less developed countries to bear the same responsibility.

The leadership and presence of these Black Icons continue to empower generations of Black People to inspire change. Their leadership and presence inspires us to remember that our challenged past does not define us, but how we choose to redeem our power and contribute to the shaping of this world. ■

Cynthia Irungu

This years’ theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, focuses on a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe.

What are some of the ways in which you have and continue to “Stand Firm in Power and Pride”

Maintaining my identity even in new settings that attempt to define me is what standing firm in power and pride means to me. This resonates deeply with my experience as an international student navigating unfamiliar spaces that often try to define who I should be. I remember a moment when someone told me I did not belong there because I am black. For a split second I was shocked, but I asked, “Where exactly do black people belong, and who decided this space wasn’t one of them?” This was a refusal to lower myself to their expectations. Such experiences have taught me the importance of speaking up, because silence is complacency and it is a form of quiet surrender to those who continue to believe in the stereotypes out there.

Pride means, embracing who I am unapologetically, despite being far from home, by being proud of my cultural background and sharing parts of it with friends, including introducing them to meals or my language. During my time as Vice President of AIESEC in Cardiff, I found the perfect platform to continue celebrating my identity while also uplifting others. I used my role to mentor fellow students, help them develop their skills, and encourage meaningful interactions across the diverse cultures represented in our society.

For me, leadership is not just about personal growth it is about community. Real Power, in my opinion, comes from assisting others in their own growth. I have embraced this opinion as a student and shared my ideas with fellow students on applications and internship opportunities. I believe that if we come together and share our ideas, then we thrive as a community. Thus, I choose collaboration over cutthroat competition because I believe the greatest power is found in unity.

What are some of the ways in which the Black Community has demonstrated “Power in Protest?”- (For example -Speaking Out, Standing Firm or Sparking Change)

The black community’s resistance throughout the years has been a matter of unity and resilience. This has been evident from African countries fighting for independence, to the Black Lives Matter

movement, when the community came together to demand equality and justice which lead to major policy changes. Changes can be traced from Independence of African countries, enactment of the Civil Rights Act banning racial discrimination in the USA, to the UK Equality Act banning discrimination in workplaces and beyond. More recently, Black Lives Matter protests pushed companies to act, prompting them to commit to diversity reforms and funding black-led initiatives.

The impact reached many sectors including sports with the premier league actively supporting the movement. Players were seen replacing their Jersey names with “Black Lives Matter” More companies made internal changes such as implementing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs which remains a major factor especially in UK workplaces. The long-term impact of these companies is still evident in majority parts of the world. However, challenges still remain in the USA which is now scaling back on its efforts on the programs. These protests sparked change by raising awareness about systemic racism, police brutality and racial inequality

Moreover, to support each other, the Black community has built long-lasting support networks that foster empowerment. For example, the Black Women’s Network provides mentorship, career development, and networking opportunities, helping Black women become more self-sufficient and confident in professional spaces. Similarly, the 10,000 Black Interns program addresses the underrepresentation of Black talent in various industries by providing a platform that offers paid internships. These initiatives have encouraged more companies to sponsor and partner with such organisations, enabling them to meet their diversity and inclusion goals. This shows that power not only lies in resistance, but in moments of empowerment and building a better future. Who are some of the “Black Icons of Influence” that have demonstrated “Leadership with Purpose” and “Presence with Power”?

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is more than just an accomplished writer. She is a purposeful leader and a powerful presence whose influence is beyond literature. She has used her platform to bring attention to issues on history, gender, race, and African politics. She has helped shift how African narratives are told. She influenced change by writing about African narratives based on her background to increase representation in a space that had British and American centred stories. Her novel Half of a Yellow Sun recreated the Biafran War, exposing the violence and the history that is often overlooked.

In her leadership, she has inspired many feminists and emerging writers, particularly through her Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop. She speaks openly of uncomfortable topics that we prefer to forget, that need to be addressed. These topics range from gender equality, war, the global forces that continue to produce violence to the fight from colonialism to the modern world

Her TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” reached people across the world making many rethink how they view culture, race, and representation. That no continent, not only African can be represented with a single story because this will lead to incomplete stereotypes. She has helped more Black women understand feminism and more readers see Africa beyond stereotypes. A part that resonated with me the most is how she challenged the idea that Africans must always be seen as helpless or waiting to be saved, instead showing that Africans can and do speak for themselves. Her work is a reminder that stories have power, and her influence is not just in writing but the impact she brings.

Her courage when speaking up in her work is to be admired and has shown that leadership doesn’t have to be loud or aggressive to carry weight. ■

Victoria Nyameyie Boateng

This years’ theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, focuses on a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe.

What are some of the ways in which you have and continue to “Stand Firm in Power and Pride”

For me, “standing firm in power and pride” begins with owning my identity unapologetically. There were times in my academic journey when I was the only Black student in the room. It could feel isolating at times, but instead of letting that weigh me down, I turned that into fuel. I worked harder, pushed further, and ranked in the top 0.5% of my class, ultimately graduating as a valedictorian. These moments serve as a reminder that resilience is not just about surviving, but also about thriving, even when the odds feel stacked against you.

These values of strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment guide me every day. I lean on the legacy of our ancestors, their endurance, their vision, and their sacrifices, which remind me that my achievements are never just my own. They are part of a longer story of progress, and I stand on their shoulders with gratitude and pride.

In my legal career, I continue to “stand firm” by speaking out against inequities, mentoring young people, and ensuring that my presence in under-represented spaces is meaningful. To me, “standing firm in power and pride” is about more than achievement; it is about opening doors, holding them wide, and showing others that being Black and multifaceted is not a barrier but a strength that transforms every room we walk into.

What are some of the ways in which the Black Community has demonstrated “Power in Protest?”- (For example -Speaking Out, Standing Firm or Sparking Change)

The Black community has shown that “protest” is not only about resistance - it is about transformation. From civil rights marches to today’s digital movements, our voices have carried across borders, demanding justice, and equal rights. Social media has become a powerful tool, amplifying our stories and uniting people worldwide.

But “protest” is also found in less obvious spaces. It is in the classroom, where we excel against odds, and in workplaces where we push against barriers not built for us. Every time a Black student becomes the ‘‘only’’ in a room and still rises to the top, or when a Black professional breaks through ceilings, that too is protest, quiet but deeply powerful.

Equally, “protest” lives in our storytelling. Through our ‘amapiano’ and ‘afrobeat’ music, film, literature, and education, we have retold our history and redefined how the world sees us. By reclaiming narratives, we resist invisibility and affirm our dignity.

What inspires me most is that “protest” has always been about progress. It is not only about saying ‘‘no’’ to injustice but also about creating a vision of what should replace it. From marching to mentoring, from speaking out to sparking change online, our community continues to prove that “protest” is not just an act of defiance; it is an act of building.

Who are some of the “Black Icons of Influence” that have demonstrated “Leadership with Purpose” and “Presence with Power”?

When I think of “Black Icons of Influence”, I am struck by the diversity of leadership styles that carry both “purpose and power.” Nelson Mandela’s courage and sacrifice transformed a nation and taught the world about justice and reconciliation. Kwame Nkrumah, as Ghana’s first president, embodied Pan-African leadership and showed that liberation is most powerful when it is collective.

The world-famous author, Maya Angelou, demonstrated that leadership could flow through art and truth. Her words carry healing, power, and clarity, reminding us that language itself can spark movements. In the legal world, Constance Baker Motley shattered barriers as the first Black woman on the federal bench, leaving a legacy that inspires me as an aspiring solicitor to use my seat at the table wisely in the future.

In more recent times, Michelle Obama has redefined leadership on the global stage. With grace and strength, she has championed education, empowerment, and representation, particularly for women and young people. Barack Obama’s presidency too symbolised not just achievement, but the powerful idea that the highest levels of leadership can reflect diversity and vision.

Yet, my greatest icon is my mother. She may not have held public office or global recognition, but her resilience and unwavering strength shaped me more than anyone else. Watching her lead with dignity, even through challenges, taught me that leadership begins at home. Her example is my foundation, and her presence remains my deepest source of power. ■

Curated

by

Charity Mafuba

Design by Emma Webb

Charity: Agnes can you please tell us about yourself?

Agnes: I completed my BA (Hons) in Business Management and Law at the University of Winchester, followed by the GDL and LPC with an LLM in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Law, Guildford. I am 28 and relocated to Norway three years ago to continue my legal career.

As my first legal position, I worked in Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning before joining Blake Morgan LLP's Construction and Development Team, gaining experience in both contentious and transactional matters. I currently work at Svensson Nøkleby, a law firm in Drammen, Norway. My primary focus is Insolvency and Restructuring. Alongside my main workload, I have also contributed to various Private Client cases, including, tracing financial assets abroad, most recently travelling to the USA for an investigation on behalf of the beneficiaries of a deceased estate.

Charity: Given your varied legal experience to date, what are the areas of law that interest you the most and why?

Agnes: During my time working within the Construction and Development Team, the Grenfell Tower incident occurred, leading to the introduction of stricter regulations, particularly regarding cladding and building safety. This impacted the scope of our work and provided valuable insight into how policy changes directly affect construction practices.

My work in Bankruptcy Estate Administration involves crossover into different areas of law, this allowed me to gain experience in Corporate, Employment, Contract, Property, Tax, and Criminal law, in addition to the general administrative processes. This area offers a steep learning curve, as scenarios vary greatly depending on the nature of the company involved.

I am most interested in work that feels fulfilling and encourages self-development. So far, my roles have provided this, including the challenge of working day-to-day in multiple languages. In this

Interview with Agnes Święcka

Charity Mafuba talks to Agnes Swiecka, Legal Advisor at Svensson Nøkleby Advokatfirma ANS about her Legal Career.

respect, I can contribute to areas where I can use English, Polish, or Norwegian

Charity: Having commenced your legal career in England and Wales including completion of your Legal Education, and now continuing it in Norway.

Do you have aspirations to qualify in both jurisdictions? And

Agnes: Yes. To qualify in England and Wales, the remaining step would be completing the SQE2. Should I qualify in the UK before qualifying in Norway, I will most likely pursue the advokatfullmektig (Norwegian Training Contract) route to qualification in Norway, as this also enables me to practice Norwegian law upon admission, as opposed to cross-qualifying and working in Norway as an England & Wales Qualified Lawyer and being restricted from the outset to only practising under the EU/EEA rules i.e. not permitted to practice Norwegian Law. You also cannot use the title “advokat” (lawyer) unless admitted to the Norwegian Bar, of which there are various other steps to complete for this.

These were the considerations I evaluated before relocating. In Norway, the legal profession is unified—there is no separate solicitor or barrister track. To qualify, you must obtain an LLM and secure authorization to work as an advokatfullmektig (Training Contract) for two years, in addition to litigating at least three court cases, and completing other formalities.

Charity: What are the similarities and differences in terms of legislation, policy for example?

Agnes: The fundamental difference is in the application of the law under court proceedings. In contrast to England & Wales where the system is built upon Common Law and heavily based on the principle of ‘stare decisis’ i.e. following case law precedent and, in this way, ensuring for consistency.

Norway’s civil system allows for more focus on codified statues, which are the main source of law, although case law can be a

“An important aspect which you should not neglect, is taking care of yourself. Burnouts are common in law, so practice stress management strategies early on.”

persuasive factor, it is not binding in the same way in practice. Legal interpretation, however, may look to Supreme Court guidance since laws are often drafted in general terms. Norway does not have one single civil code; instead; separate laws govern distinct areas.

Norway also has a much more simplified court structure, made up of, the;

1. Supreme Court (Høyesterett) - The Court of Final Instance.

2. Courts of Appeal (Lagmannsrett) - The Court of Appeal.

3. District Courts (Tingrett) - The Court of First Instance.

There also exist specialized courts which can handle Labour Disputes or Land and Property matters. This is in high contrast to the various courts and divisions of the English Legal Court Hierarchy.

Charity: Can you please tell us about your tenure as a Committee Member on the South Hampshire Junior Lawyers Division (SHJLD)?

Agnes: The SHJLD hosts regular social, networking, personal development events, and skills workshops for junior lawyers across Southampton, Fareham, Portsmouth, Winchester, and surrounding areas. Membership is open to paralegals, legal assistants, trainee solicitors, trainee legal executives, NQ solicitors, solicitors up to five years’ PQE, chartered legal executives, pupil barristers, and barristers up to two years’ call.

I first attended the network’s event in June 2019 while at Blake Morgan LLP. Following the committee elections that September, I joined as an Annual Ball Representative. The society’s Annual Law Ball for 2020 had to be postponed due to COVID-19 and ended up being our first in-person event of 2021, by which time my role developed into Ball & Sponsorship Representative. We normally collaborate with at least one law firm, chambers and legal recruiters. The event was held at the beautiful Harbour Hotel in Ocean Village for the first time and our chosen charity was Naomi House & Jacksplace- children’s and young adults’ hospices providing expert, compassionate care, from respite breaks to end-of-life support, helping families facing lifelimiting conditions find comfort and support when they need it most. This is a cause I have been involved in supporting since 2015.

Charity: What advice would you give to other women who are considering a career in law?

Agnes: Build your network early. Put yourself out there and create opportunities for yourself.

Grades can help in securing work experience, but it certainly helps if someone is able to open the doors to such opportunities for you. A strong network can help you down the line with client acquisition, which is also crucial for long-term success, especially if you are planning on starting your own practice or aiming for Partnership. The job market in the legal industry is highly competitive. If you are proactive, you could have the chance to secure an opportunity before it becomes widely available, i.e. landing a position ‘off-market’.

Your path to qualification is not set, there are many ways to arrive at your end goal and the introduction of the SQE means even more accessibility into the profession. If you are considering practicing elsewhere, do your research, every jurisdiction has their own system, and you must be prepared for the journey ahead. Remember! If you are considering moving abroad for your studies or career, be prepared for what this means in practice, and how this affects you should you move back to your original jurisdiction.

An important aspect which you should not neglect, is taking care of yourself. Burnouts are common in law, so practice stress management strategies early on. There are many programmes, lectures and workshops, which are organised internally by law firms which you could take part in and local or regional societies which you could join for additional support.

Finally, find mentors - if possible, find more than one, both with different background and journeys to qualifications! Look for female role models who can give advice on both career strategy and worklife balance.

Charity: What Social Mobility causes are you passionate about?

Agnes: I’m particularly passionate about empowering women in law, which is why I volunteer with Legal Women UK, the publication is dedicated to sharing valuable resources and insights for women in the profession. I also champion technological literacy—having access to tools isn’t enough; real progress comes from understanding them, staying ahead of new developments, and remaining open-minded. That knowledge not only sets you apart but also helps level the playing field.

Charity: What does the future hold for you?

Agnes: Looking ahead, my focus is on exceling in my ‘new normal’ and eventually qualification in whichever jurisdiction this may naturally occur first. In the period before qualification, I am excited about further developing my expertise in Insolvency & Restructuring and continue to build experience in different areas of law.

My personal and professional life have enabled me to bring an international perspective to my workplace. It would be particularly interesting to continue working with cases that entail cross-border elements, where my background can really add value. It is important to be able to combine technical skills with the developing available technology at the same time as bridging different legal systems and cultures. Most of all, I want a career that keeps challenging me, keeps me learning, and allows me to make a meaningful contribution. ■

Agnes Święcka

Legal Advisor, Svensson Nøkleby Advokatfirma ANS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnes-%C5%9Bwi%C4%99cka/

Interviewed by Charity Mafuba

Editor-in-Chief and Director, Solicitor (England

and Wales)

New York Attorney

Attorney-Supreme Court of the United States

From Soviet Estonia to European Leadership: A Journey Through Law

Imbi Jürgen is President of the Estonian Bar Association and Vice-President of the Council of European Bars and Law Societies (CCBE). She is also Attorney-at-Law and Counsel at Law Firm TEGOS, specialising in Energy, Environmental, and Real Estate Law. In this article, she shares her journey from post-Soviet Estonia to European Legal Leadership, offering insights for women navigating their careers in the Law.

Early Career: Building Foundations in a Changing Society

When I graduated from secondary school in 1992, Estonia had restored its independence just one year earlier. Our society was transitioning from Soviet Socialist Republic to a modern Western democracy. In the Soviet Union, lawyers were not visible in society, so I did not have role models. However, I sensed that law was something new, progressive and promising.

My entry into the Law was by chance - I had one close relative who studied law and told me it was great at university, so I followed his advice. I found studying law fascinating and it suited me well.

In the beginning of my career, the legal system was developing extremely quickly in Estonia. New legal concepts were introduced, and we were all learning by doing. As a young lawyer, I did whatever tasks were given to me - from administrative law to Employment and Contracts to Litigation.

Finding My Specialisation: Energy Law

Energy Law came by chance when Renewable Energy started developing in Estonia about 25 years ago. Our law firm had clients requiring assistance, but there was no one with experience in Energy Law. By chance, I was available, so colleagues said, "Imbi, you'll do it."

I jumped into the unknown and gradually grew my experience. The Energy Sector opened up and I learned to love it. This specialisation has remained central to my practice at various firms including my current role at TEGOS.

Balancing Career and Family: You Cannot Have It All at the Same Time

I believe you cannot have it all at the same time. There is a time for family and time for a career. You do not have to have it all by age 35 - you can flourish and develop your career at 50 or later.

“I have not felt discriminated because of my gender in Estonia and did not think that there was a glass ceiling above me just because I am a woman.”

People do not stop developing once they are 40 or 50; they just start getting better.

I have three children. My husband is also a lawyer and has carried the role of Managing Partner of a large law firm for a decade. When our children were young, he was building his career and I held mine back, concentrating on home and the children whilst maintaining some part-time work from home.

At one point, I felt I had failed. Despite the fact that I had three wonderful children, I hadn’t made partnership in a large law firm like many of my male classmates. But I returned to full-time work after my children went to school, learning valuable lessons about resilience and defining success on my own terms. However, it was only my work in the Bar Association that unlocked my full potential. This largely voluntary work of mission has opened a whole new world for me, broadened my perspectives in so many ways and gradually grown me as a leader. It seems to be my vocation to stand for the values of the profession, and to serve the legal profession.

Leadership in the Estonian Bar Association

I have been a member of the Estonian Bar Association board since March 2016, serving as Vice-President from 2019 to 2022, and President since 2022, focusing on comprehensive modernisation of our profession.

My key priorities include modernising the legal framework through Bar Act amendments, improving Criminal Procedure Regulations to protect client confidentiality, developing our supervision system for Anti-Money Laundering requirements, and implementing better digital solutions.

I have also focused on women's leadership in law firms, launching a project featuring interviews with female partners to inspire young female colleagues to make bold career choices, and encouraging the establishment of a supporting woman lawyers’ community.

European Leadership: Vice-President of the CCBE

In November 2024, I was elected Vice-President of the CCBE, officially taking the position from 1 January 2025. I am the fifth woman to hold this position since 1966.

As the 3rd Vice-President, I participate in CCBE management and Policy initiatives. I also coordinate committees including; Future of the Legal Profession, Young Lawyers, Training, IT law, Migration, Environment, and Climate Change. This role allows me to bring international experiences to Estonia and help shape our profession's future in Europe.

I was born and raised in the former Soviet Union and have direct experience of life in a society where the Rule of Law and fundamental rights are not protected. In this society, the profession of a lawyer could not be exercised independently and the Bar Association could not perform its self-governance free from the Government’s pressure and intense supervision. I came of age as Estonia broke free from an authoritarian regime, studying law when the Estonian legal system was being recreated, inspired by Western democracies. I believe this unique perspective helps me better recognise when the Rule of Law is under threat and to defend it alongside, Human Rights and Democratic Values, which are the most important missions of the CCBE.

International work has been rewarding in understanding that our national bar is not alone. While there may be some things characteristic to our specific legal system, problems that the

bars are facing are usually universal. The CCBE is largely about exchanging good practices and learning what other bars do in similar situations.

Overcoming Internal Barriers

I have not felt discriminated because of my gender in Estonia and did not think that there was a glass ceiling above me just because I am a woman. However, there were barriers inside myself - how I thought of myself, partly because of my personality but largely thanks to society around me. Women often have beliefs and habits that hold them back and want to meet society's and family's expectations.

I have learned to recognise behaviours characteristic to many women, such as; overvaluing expertise, the desire to be perfect, reluctance to claim achievements, and expecting others to spontaneously notice hard work. Since I recognised these patterns in myself, I have consciously tried to change these behaviours. This self-awareness has been transformative for my career development and personal growth.

The Importance of Teamwork

My biggest challenge is balancing three equally important work areas: my work as Counsel in a Private Law Firm, my work at the Estonian Bar Association, and CCBE Presidency work - all equally important along with family and personal needs.

The key to managing this is teamwork. I do not have to perform any of these tasks on my own and couldn't possibly, as none of these positions are solo work. You need to trust others and delegate where possible. I am fortunate to have supportive teams in my law firm, Estonian Bar Association, and at the CCBE.

Advice for the Next Generation

My best piece of advice is "don't try to plan everything". You cannot control your life entirely. Chance has played a significant role in my life - it was by chance that I studied law, joined the best law firm in Estonia, moved to the Energy sector, and entered Bar Association work.

I have not been good at planning but have been willing to accept opportunities that came my way. My courage has grown significantly over time - when younger I often thought I didn’t know enough or wasn't skilled enough due to perfectionism, but with age came experience and confidence to take on new challenges.

I can proudly say I have a wonderful career in law that is not over yet. My advice is to be open to new opportunities and do not underestimate yourself. The legal profession offers incredible opportunities for those willing to embrace change and remain committed to Justice and the Rule of Law. ■

Imbi Jürgen, President of the Estonian Bar Association

Vice-President of the Council of European Bars and Law Societies (CCBE) Attorney-at-Law and Counsel -TEGOS,

https://www.linkedin.com/in/imbi-j%C3%BCrgen-545728b/

Iwas first drawn to law at a young age; inspired by my mother’s work with the United Nations. Watching her navigate international issues made me deeply curious about how different legal systems overlap, interact, and sometimes conflict when it comes to enforcing rights. What fascinated me most was the idea that law (especially Intellectual Property Law) is both Jurisdictional and International in the way that it provides structure, protects creativity, and governs Commerce. From early on, I wanted to understand and navigate these international legal landscapes. For me, the Law has always hit a unique intersection of intellectual rigor and people skills, where complex reasoning meets helping individuals and businesses solve problems.

My Path to Qualification

I graduated from the University of Bristol School of Law in June 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the job market uncertain, I took the opportunity to hone in on the interest

My Journey in Law: Building a Global Legal Career in Intellectual Property (IP)

By Jasmine B. Gratton

I had piqued in my L.L.B: International Intellectual Property Law In January 2021, I began my L.L.M in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law at Fordham University School of Law, and in February 2021, I sat the two-day New York Bar exam remotely from my bedroom.

Soon after, I pursued admission as a Solicitor in England and Wales. My current role as an Attorney at a Legal Tech firm has enabled me to bring my qualifications together and work on International Trademark Prosecution and Litigation for a global client base. Practicing across jurisdictions has allowed me to combine my academic interests with practical, cross-border problem-solving, which was precisely the kind of international legal work that first inspired me to become a lawyer.

I am now also qualified as a solicitor in the Republic of Ireland, and hope to be qualified in Australia and Canada before 2030. Even though Intellectual Property rights are jurisdictional by nature,

today’s interconnected marketplace makes it nearly impossible to confine goods and services to a single country, so businesses need to think internationally by anticipating future growth and building portfolios with cross-border protection and enforcement in mind from the outset, which is where I step in.

Areas I’ve Practiced So Far

My main focus has been Intellectual Property, especially Trademarks. I’ve worked on:

• Trademark prosecution in the U.S., UK, EU, and globally through World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

• Oppositions, Cancellations, and Disputes before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO’s) Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and Federal litigation before U.S. Federal courts.

• Negotiating coexistence agreements and settlements, as well as Licensing Deals, Domain Purchases, and other Commercial agreements.

• Helping clients strategically identify, build, and scale their brands by protecting and enforcing Intellectual Property portfolios across global markets.

2. Invest in people and build your network. Law is just as much about trust and relationships as it is about knowing the rules. Not every coffee chat will lead to a job, but it will create allies, mentors, and supporters who will be in your corner.

3. Embrace change and stay open to new technology. Always be responsible when reviewing your work and safeguarding confidential information, but do not shy away from using new tools. Your clients will be using them, and in many cases, they may be the ones developing them.

“For me, the Law has always been about people. The joy I find in my work comes from helping clients protect what matters most to them, namely their ideas, creativity, and brands. Intellectual Property Law isn’t abstract; it is actually a tangible intangible asset!”

Along the way, I’ve also worked on broader Commercial and Corporate Law issues, especially where IP intersects with Brand Strategy, Contracts, and Cross-Border deals, and I have served as General Counsel where I assisted with ad hoc legal tasks, including Compliance and Real Estate.

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, I want to keep building a truly international practice in Intellectual Property. My goal is to become a trusted advisor for even more clients scaling across borders, helping them both protect and maximize the value of their brands.

I’m particularly excited about the intersection of Law and Technology. IP is constantly shifting in response to AI, Blockchain, and Digital platforms. I’d like to be at the forefront of helping shape how legal protections evolve in those areas. Longer-term, I also see myself stepping into leadership roles where I can guide strategy, mentor younger lawyers, and broaden access to affordable international legal expertise.

Advice for Aspiring Lawyers

If I had to give advice to someone just starting out, it would be this:

1. Adaptability will take you further than technical skill alone, and your potential is always more than what could ever be captured by a resume or cover letter. The legal field is evolving at an unprecedented pace and up-skilling itself is the most important skill you can have as a junior lawyer. A mindset of growth and adaptability will serve you far better in the long run than relying only on what you already know.

Closing Reflection

For me, the Law has always been about people. The joy I find in my work comes from helping clients protect what matters most to them, namely their ideas, creativity, and brands. Intellectual Property Law isn’t abstract; it is actually a tangible intangible asset! It shapes businesses, changes lives, and creates real economic opportunity. I’m especially passionate about making IP support accessible by providing cost-effective legal resources to entrepreneurs, solo founders, and small businesses. Guiding them as they protect and grow their most valuable assets, their Intellectual Property, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my practice. ■

Jasmine

B. Gratton, Trade Attorney-Trademarkia

U.S. Attorney, England and Wales Solicitor, Irish Solicitor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminebgratton/ https://meet.trademarkia.com/jasmine https://www.trademarkia.com/attorneys/jasmine-b.-gratton

From Law School to Leadership, My Journey in the Legal Profession

Deborah

Enix-Ross, talks to Legal Women about her Legal career- Specifically her respective tenures at the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association

“You are only here because of affirmative action.” It was 1978 when one of my fellow law school classmates uttered those words. Designed to make me feel inferior or doubt myself, but little did he know, I’m a native New Yorker and a girl from Harlem. So, I simply replied, “That’s okay, I’m not going to take the affirmative action bar exam!”

It’s been a long journey from being a first-year law student, one of only two African American women in my class, to becoming President of the American Bar Association (“ABA”), the world’s largest voluntary association of lawyers.

Throughout my career and service to the Bar, I learned a few lessons, that have guided and sustained me.

Embrace Who You Are: No, I do not have the traditional educational pedigree or experience of many in the legal profession. But no one else has my experiences either. I am grateful for the obstacles I faced early in life. They made me strong, determined, and self-reliant, and brought me to where I am today. I learned it is important to embrace and value our differences

Write your own Definition of Success: To say I have not followed a traditional path in the law would be an understatement. I began as a legal aid attorney and went on to practice in a variety of settings, including serving as the American representative to the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s Arbitration and Mediation Center in Geneva, Switzerland, Price Waterhouse, and my current firm, Debevoise &

Plimpton in New York. Along the way, I faced many naysayers and doubters, but I learned: You are the only person who should determine what is a suitable position or career choice for you

Find Your Community: More than forty years ago, I graduated from law school and soon after, attended my first ABA meeting, in San Francisco. I spent my graduation money on ABA membership fees, the flight, accommodations, and meeting registration fees. Why? Because I wanted to be around the best, smartest leaders in the legal profession. When I think about it now, I marvel at how I was so determined to be a part of the legal profession, that I went to a meeting alone at my own expense and just walked into a room and tried to figure it all out!

At first I was the youngest person at bar associations meetings, or I was the only woman, or I was the only person of color. Sometimes I was all three! But I persevered. The sense of community I enjoyed growing up in Harlem stayed with me and later I found professional communities, including at bar associations. It is in community that we can find strength, guidance and solace

Lift as You Climb: Madeleine Albright famously said, “There’s a special place in Hell for women who don’t help other women.”

Throughout my career, I have used my positions to support and promote women lawyers. From placing the first woman on the arbitration panel of the U.S.National Committee of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, to being a founding member of ArbitralWomen, an international association dedicated to bringing together women international dispute resolution practitioners, to establishing the Women’s Interest Network (WIN) and Women’s Interest Group (WIG) in the ABA and International Bar Association (IBA), respectively.

Secretary-General of the IBA. As Secretray-General I am primarily responsible for giving support to the IBA Council and Management Board regarding the IBA’s Constitution and governance. I also work with the Deputy Secretaries-General, who lead the IBA’s regional forums. The IBA’s global impact, now, more than ever, is critical to defending democracy and the rule of law around the world. As officers of the legal system, lawyers and judges play a special role in the preservation of a democratic society. When lawyers engage in challenges with respect for both sides, we instill public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law. That is how we lift as we climb.

Being a lawyer is both a privilege and a responsibility. One that is larger than our daily work as lawyers. We serve clients, but ultimately, we defend liberty and pursue justice.

These nearly 45 years of my career have not been easy, but I have never allowed being a woman to prevent me from getting to where I am today, I have always chosen not to let it define or restrict me. I will continue fighting for the women lawyers who come after me, so that they do not have to live through what I had to face.

“Madeleine Albright famously said, ‘There’s a special place in Hell for women who don’t help other women.”

Lifting as you climb means not only creating opportunities for other women and young lawyers in particular, but it also means lifting the profession, and in turn society.

During my tenure as ABA President, I focused on opportunities for lawyers to demonstrate and emphasize the importance of lifting civility in the profession. Civility and the Rule of Law are closely intertwined. Lawyers are guardians of the rule of law. It is imperative that lawyers appropriately embody civility in all we do, because civility inspires confidence in the rule of law. The perception of incivility between lawyers, and between lawyers and judges, is dangerous to democracy and the rule of law. The public will not trust the legal system if it does not believe lawyers and judges are honest, ethical, and civil in their interactions.

We’re at a point now where people are concerned about incivility with one another, and political polarization is at its zenith. The question for lawyers is where and how do we draw the line between righteous protest that draws attention to injustice and incivility that drives people apart? One solution is the conversation guides developed by the ABA to use in programs that help lawyers teach communities how to model civil discourse on contested issues.

I am currently the first American woman elected to serve as

That is why today it is more important than ever that we stand together not just as lawyers, but as leaders and global citizens - shaping the future of justice, equity and inclusion.

Leadership isn’t defined by titles alone. It’s about integrity, and the courage to use your influence to challenge outdated norms. As leaders in law, we carry a unique responsibility – and a remarkable opportunity- to lead with purpose, resilience and vision. ■

Deborah Enix-Ross

Senior Advisor, Global Engagement International Dispute Resolution Group Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-enix-ross-b67b80/

Reflecting on my journey in the Law across nearly four decades, the thing I am most satisfied with is that I have been able to find ways to express my deep commitment to Justice and a conviction that the Law must serve the public good. My practice has taken me from the courtroom to the boardrooms of professional organisations, into prisons and community centres, and into of Royal Commissions.

Along the way, I have had the privilege of representing clients whose courage has inspired me, and helping to shape reforms that I hope will make the Justice System more Humane, Accessible, and Effective.

Early Years at the Bar

I began my career in the Law with a short stint as a solicitor before joining the Victorian Bar in Australia in 1991. Initially I took whatever briefs came my way —Public Law, Civil, Commercial and Criminal matters that are the bread and butter of a Junior Barrister’s typical work. Most paid the bills, with time for Human Rights matters and Pro Bono matters for those unable to afford legal representation.

The Pursuit of Just OutcomesMy Life in the Law

By

Fiona McLeod AO SC

More recently, I was Senior Counsel assisting the Yoorrook Truth and Justice Commission, with my co-counsel leading a landmark truth telling commission in Victoria, examining the history of our colonial past on First Nations people and profoundly moving but brutal impacts of dispossession, and systemic injustice that persist today.

Leadership in the Profession

I was encouraged to take on leadership roles. I served as President of Australian Women Lawyers, Chair of the Victorian Bar, President of the Australian Bar Association (ABA), and President of the Law Council of Australia. I joined numerous government boards and committees, working to reform Laws and Policies to address inequity and promote Human Rights. I am now an officer of the International Bar Association and on the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Council

“I was encouraged to take on leadership roles. I served as President of Australian Women Lawyers, Chair of the Victorian Bar, President of the Australian Bar Association (ABA), and President of the Law Council of Australia.”

In 2003, I was appointed Senior Counsel and my practice expanded to major Class Actions, many more appeals and assisting and appearing before Royal Commissions and inquiries of national significance including the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, investigating how public authorities responded to disaster and the tragic loss of life when warning and disaster response systems are overwhelmed. I appeared in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, one of the most searing exercises in truth-telling in our nation’s history.

I have embraced the opportunity to travel widely to offer training in Court Advocacy to lawyers in Bangladesh, Nepal, Borneo, Vanuatu, Solomon Island.

Each role gave me a different vantage point from which to see our profession — its strengths, its challenges, and its responsibilities.

As President of Australian Women Lawyers, I developed a number of important Diversity and Inclusion initiatives with the national profession. It has been a great joy to continue this work in the international sphere.

As Chair of the Victorian Bar, I focused on mentoring, training and supporting Barristers, on Diversity initiatives and on building a stronger Pro Bono culture to ensure our Bar is reflective of the community we serve and responsive to its needs.

As President of the ABA, I spoke frequently about the independence of the profession and the importance of the Rule of Law. At a time when political institutions were under strain, I believed — and still believe — that the legal profession has a special role to play in defending democratic values and the integrity of our justice systems.

As President of the Law Council, I was particularly focused on the chronic underfunding of legal assistance. I advocated for reforms to support vulnerable communities, and launched the Justice Project, a landmark review into Access to Justice in Australia, which took me across the country, listening to people whose voices are too often excluded from debates about Law and Policy. I consulted widely with people facing significant disadvantage: those in rural and remote communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those in custodial settings, with victims of family violence, people with disabilities, older Australians, and many others.

In launching the Justice Project I said: “Our consultations have taken me to prisons and detention centres, bush courts, refuges and cultural centres, nursing homes and hospitals, and government departments. I have heard stories that have moved me and that will stay with me forever — the new mother in jail, whose child was removed within 24 hours of birth and placed into state care, the anguish of her remaining time inside prison as she waited for news with diminishing hope of being reunited with her baby.”

Our justice system fails millions of people and the promise of equality before the law remains an unrealised aspiration for so many.

Pro Bono Advocacy: Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

The Culture of Pro Bono

It has been a great honour to be recognised with awards for the work I have undertaken. In 2020 I was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the Law and the Legal Profession at the national and international level and to women lawyers. These awards I hope encourage others to devote their time to important causes and to take joy in taking up opportunities for service.

This year I accepted the Victorian Bar’s Pro Bono Trophy for outstanding individual contribution on behalf of those I have represented and all that I could not. At the time I said: “Justice is so important, yet so unavailable to many of us in this country. You don’t walk away from this work untouched. It is the greatest privilege of my life to have appeared for some of these clients.”

Reflections on Leadership

What have I learned from all of this?

First, that advocacy is about more than winning cases. It is about strengthening the institutions that uphold justice — courts, commissions, legal assistance services, professional bodies. If those institutions are strong, justice is more likely to follow.

“For many years, I acted on behalf of victims of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. These were among the first compensation claims brought in Australia. They were harrowing cases.”

For many years, I acted on behalf of victims of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. These were among the first compensation claims brought in Australia. They were harrowing cases. My clients were women who had been stripped of their freedom, dignity and agency, and yet who showed extraordinary courage in coming forward.

From those cases flowed my advocacy for Legislative Reform: changes to improve protections, remedies, and recognition for survivors of Trafficking and Slavery. It was through this work that I came to appreciate how the Law can be both an obstacle and an instrument of justice. When wielded well, it empowers survivors; when wielded poorly, it compounds their suffering.

Climate Change and Public Interest Litigation

In more recent years, I have acted in Environmental and Climaterelated cases brought by communities vulnerable to rising seas, extreme weather, and environmental degradation. These matters are technically demanding, involving complex scientific evidence and involve difficult questions of causation and responsibility.

But at their heart, they are human cases — about those whose homes and culture are threatened. These cases ask the courts to hold governments and corporations accountable for the future we all share.

In reflecting on these cases and the many injustices I have observed over my career, I have posed this question in public lectures: “For most of us, interactions with the justice system are rare and remote. We accept that rules and laws are imposed upon us in exchange for a sense of safety and certainty in our daily lives. But for large numbers of us, the justice system is failing. How do we reclaim the law as a vehicle for public good, and address this wasted human potential?”

The law must not be a bystander to injustice. It must not be an instrument used to compound human suffering.

Second, that the law is not selfexecuting. It requires lawyers to use it courageously, ethically and creatively. Whether in Trafficking cases, Climate Litigation, or Inquiries into Systemic Abuse, the Law only delivers justice when lawyers are willing to test its limits and insist on its application in the interests of those it serves.

Third, that leadership matters. In my roles as President of the Law Council, the ABA, and the Bar, I have tried to use the platform to advance causes larger than myself: Access to Justice, Diversity, Integrity in Public Office, and respect for the Rule of Law. Leadership is not about titles; it is about responsibility to others.

And finally, that there is no right way to be a lawyer. Each of us must find a way to a career that is satisfying, is honourable and brings joy with a sense we have made a contribution to others. I remain convinced that the Law can and must be reclaimed as a vehicle for public good. My career — from the courtroom to royal commissions, from trafficking survivors to climate class actions, from leading the profession to listening to voices on the margins — has been animated by that belief.

There is still much work to do. But if we remain committed to justice, to service, and to integrity, we can ensure that the law serves not only the powerful, but all people. That is the responsibility of every lawyer. It has been the privilege of my life to try to live up to it. ■

Fiona McLeod AO SC

Kings Counsel

Owen Dixon Chambers West

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-mcleod-sc/ Fionamcleodsc.com

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PODCASTS

‘Legally Speaking’ PodcastHosted by Robert Hanna

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BOOKS

Nicola Williams

About the Author: Nicola began her career as a Barrister in Private Practice, specialising in Criminal Law and (among her other various roles), has also been a part-time Crown Court Judge since 2010. She is the author of three legal thrillers; Without Prejudice, Until Proven Innocent and Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct is the latest criminal thriller from Nicola.

The Protagonist, Lee Mitchell returns. This time, the murder occurs on her doorstep when the Head Clerk at her Chambers, Tom is murdered.

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Lee Mitchell steps in to defend him at trial amidst the emergence of many more of her colleagues as suspects in the murder. With whispers going around about a diary that Tom kept, containing secrets that he used to blackmail Lee’s friends and enemies to do his bidding. Finding this diary may be the key to solving Tom’s murder.

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Until Proven Innocent

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https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/447004/until-proven-innocent-bywilliams-nicola/9780241995471

LW Events

Law Society of England and Wales

London

Great evening at The Law Society for an insightful discussion of “Why the Rule of Law Matters to Us All”, which was chaired by the amazing Journalist and Newscaster Emily Maitlis.It was lovely to see so many young and aspiring female Solicitors/Barristers and also Junior and Senior lawyers.

(L-R) Emily Maitlis and Charity Mafuba

Sisters in (the) Law

London

On the 10th of July, we had the inaugural launch of what will be our annual “Sisters in Law” event, where women in law (at different stages) share their personal journeys to qualification including words of wisdom for those who are considering a career in law.

It was lovely to see so many young and aspiring female Solicitors/Barristers and also Junior and Senior lawyers.

Immense gratitude to all the panellists, Seema Gill, Elizabeth Shimmell, Christina Blacklaws and Eileen Donaghey from Donaghey and Chance who also sponsored our event.

Addleshaw Goddard and Laura Uberoi for graciously hosting our event.

(L-R) Elizabeth Shimmell, Christina Blacklaws, Charity Mafuba, Seema Gill and Eileen Donaghey

LW Events

4-5 Gray’s Inn Summer Party

London

Amazing time at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Summer Party held at the Institute of Directors (IoD) headquarters with my Legal Women UK colleague Tilly Rubens.

Special thanks to Emily Martin for inviting Legal Women UK.

LW Events-Glasgow, Scotland

Charity spoke at the University of Strathclyde, Strathclyde Women + in Leadership Network Event, about her Qualification Journey, Legal Career to date, her role at Legal Women and the work we do.

LEAP Estates Launches 2025 Will Writing Trends Report Gifts, Charities, Exclusions and much more

LEAP Estates announces the launch of its 2025 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive snapshot of will writing activity and trends across England and Wales. The report is based on anonymised data from over 200,000 wills and more than 400,000 total documents, providing useful demographics and information relating to Estate planning, plus a range of fascinating trends. These trends include insights into charitable gifts, the frequency of branded gifts bequeathed, such as Rolex watches and Pandora jewellery, and family members excluded from Wills.

AI has a profound impact on staff productivity. Human resources are the most expensive and vital asset in any law firm. By taking over repetitive, low-value tasks like legal research, document drafting, and even matter analysis, AI allows lawyers to focus on higher-value activities that require human expertise. AI-driven research tools, for instance, sift through vast legal databases in a fraction of the time it would take a lawyer, offering comprehensive insights while reducing possible errors from lapses in human concentration.

This latest edition of the report draws on unique insights gathered through WillSuite, LEAP Estates’ key integration partner. Since its integration into LEAP Estates and LEAP Legal Software in 2023, WillSuite has generated more than 900,000 wills and 1.7 million legal documents, with approximately 7,000 new documents being drafted every week. The software enables professionals across the estate planning industry to work more efficiently by reducing duplication, minimising errors, and ultimately delivering an improved service to clients.

Craig Matthews, CEO LEAP Estates/WillSuite says,

“For the first time we’ve been able to combine data from our LEAP, LEAP Estates and WillSuite users to bring about our largest report to date. Seeing an eight-fold increase in documents produced through our combined platform in just four years is really exciting and a testament to the hard work that goes into the development and support of our products.”

The 2025 report explores a wide range of valuable facts and trends shaping the estate planning process. It covers key demographic insights, the types of trusts being included in wills, the frequency of charitable legacies and exclusions, and provides detail on funeral wishes and organ donation requests. It also highlights patterns in popular gifts and the specific brands frequently mentioned by testators. This data offers not only practical insight for the profession but also a fascinating perspective on evolving societal habits and values.

Among the most frequently gifted items in wills over the past year were cash, property, pets and chattels. Beyond these, the ten most popular specific gifts included jewellery, wedding rings, engagement rings, watches, and cars, followed by records, bonds, coins, instruments and medals.

The average mean value of a gift in 2024 was £15,138, calculated from 46,976 cash gifts included across 208,793 wills. Where specific brands were named, the most cited were Rolex, Pandora, Tag Heuer and Omega. Brands were more likely to be specified when the gifts related to jewellery or watches, whereas vehicles were typically described as “the family car”.

The LEAP Estates 2025 Annual Report offers essential insights for professionals and an engaging look at the ways people in England and Wales are planning their legacies.

To access the full report, https://www.leapestates.co.uk/ brochures/annual-report/ ■

By Craig Matthews CEO, Leap Estates/WillSuite

The Future Lawyer: What Women Leaders Need to Know About Gen Z Lawyers

One thing is increasingly clear: the future of law won’t look like the past—or even like today. Gen Z lawyers are reshaping the profession with non-negotiable expectations for flexibility, balance, and purpose-driven work. For today’s women leaders, this shi o ers a unique opportunity to future-proof their firms by understanding what drives the next generation so they can embrace change and build practices that are not only sustainable, but exceptional.

To successfully modernise their operations, women partners and practice managers need to understand who Gen Z lawyers are—and what they expect from their employers.

Who are Gen Z lawyers?

Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z lawyers are the first generation to have grown up entirely in the digital age, with social media and near-instant access to information shaping their worldview from childhood. As a result, they tend to think, communicate, and work in a di erent way than earlier cohorts.

Gen Z lawyers typically seek—and expect—flexible work schedules, genuine work-life balance, meaningful support, and modern technology that enables e iciency and collaboration.

Today’s female partners and practice managers, many of whom have themselves navigated barriers to inclusion and progress in a traditionally male-dominated profession, are well placed to provide the equitable, empathetic leadership that Gen Z both values and responds to.

Gen Z lawyers prioritise purpose, not just pay or prestige

In a profession that has long measured success by salary, making partner, or working for a prestigious firm, Gen Z lawyers are shi ing the focus. Put simply, for many, meaningful work and purpose now outweigh traditional markers of success.

For example, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that 89% rate a sense of purpose as essential to their job satisfaction and wellbeing. This commitment is tangible: a recent survey from Major, Lindsey & Africa found that 52% of Gen Z associates would trade part of their salary for reduced billable hours, with female associates showing stronger preferences for this trade-o . For women leaders and recruiters, understanding this shi is key to creating roles and work environments that align with Gen Z’s values.

For Gen Z, modern tech is non-negotiable

Having grown up using technology to streamline and enhance everyday life, Gen Z lawyers expect the same e iciency and tech fluency in the workplace. They want to

use modern legal tech to work smarter, collaborate more easily, and deliver better outcomes. Supporting this, that same Deloitte survey found that 74% of Gen Z believe generative AI will impact the way they work within the next year.

For women leaders, understanding this generational trait presents an opportunity to take a proactive approach—ensuring their firm’s technology is modernised and up to date, not only to strengthen operations but also to cultivate the kind of modern, forward-thinking environment that attracts and retains Gen Z legal talent. Gen Z lawyers value flexible, results-based work structures

The shi towards flexible and hybrid working is well underway across the profession, but it holds particular appeal for Gen Z lawyers, who value e iciency and results over long hours and physical presence. For a generation acutely aware of the risks of burnout, flexibility and work-life balance are not perks—they’re necessities. By o ering results-based working models, women leaders can boost wellbeing, build trust, and help create a work environment where Gen Z lawyers are able to professionally and personally thrive—without sacrificing productivity or client service.

Gen Z lawyers want to be heard

When it comes to workplace culture and hierarchy, Gen Z lawyers tend to value leadership styles that listen, incorporate feedback, and encourage collaboration. This presents a clear opportunity for women partners and practice managers to tailor how they guide and mentor emerging legal talent. Structured professional development opportunities, regular check-ins, and clear communication of expectations are key for building trust and supporting meaningful professional growth.

The new generation of lawyers aren’t rejecting tradition, but they are, in many ways, redefining it. As the legal profession continues to evolve, today’s women leaders are well-positioned to guide the next generation of lawyers with empathy, flexibility, and foresight. While every lawyer has their own individual goals and motivations, of course, understanding the factors that tend to drive Gen Z can help firms attract top talent and build a more resilient, future-ready profession.

Want to future-proof your firm for the next generation of legal professionals? https://www.clio.com/uk/schedule-a-demo/ to discover how Clio’s modern legal technology helps law firms attract, support, and retain Gen Z lawyers—on their terms.