Diversity & Inclusion
and every aspect of your working life. ■ You will also have to make decisions in your career along the way which are terrifying. The first time you move firms is always the hardest. The first time a client complains about fees, or the outcome of a case it will always feel personal. ■ And no one else has all the answers. We’re all learning, that’s what makes the job so interesting, so don’t beat yourself up about not knowing it all. ■ Believe in yourself. It’s a clique for a reason. If you don’t think you can do it, no one else will either. ■ Build your network. Fill it with brilliant people you can learn from and work with. They could be colleagues who will support you and vouch for your when it’s time to apply for promotion, friends who listen to you when you’ve had a bad day, and then proof read your partnership paper, or clients for whom you’ve done a great job. Value them and let them know they’re valued.
Mary is a partner at Kingsley Napley. She has worked in commercial litigation since qualifying but also has a particular interest in crypto-currencies. Mary is a member of Kingsley Napley’s Diversity & Inclusion group and the LGBT+ and allies network and has written several articles on Kingsley Napley’s LGBTQ blog series which can be accessed at www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/diversity-matters/ lgbtq-pride. Mary has used her position to speak up for minority groups and strongly encourages those around her to do the same. Many thanks April Parker, founder of According to a Law Student who conducted this interview for her website: https://accordingtoalawstudent.com/
Oh, and everyone has imposter syndrome. ■
LW blogs Careers in the pandemic Glynis Wright on steering her own firm and the Leicestershire legal community through lockdown when President of the local law society. www.legalwomen.org.uk/glyniswright.html Jackie Mulryne, partner at Arnold & Porter, who was on maternity leave during lockdown. www.legalwomen.org.uk/JackieMulryne.html Melinda Giles, Partner at Giles Wilson LLP, as a private client specialist, a key worker and dealing with often vulnerable clients. www.legalwomen.org.uk/melindagiles.html Charity Marfuba who had to delay her New York Bar exams. www.legalwomen.org.uk/charitymafuba.html Camilla Uppal, Aysel Akhundova and Eirian Whitehead who all were offered employment despite the pandemic and explain the ups and downs of Zoom interviews. www.legalwomen.org.uk/blogs.html
W
e publish blogs throughout the year so please contact us with ideas. Below are some experiences of working through the pandemic and lawyers who have changed track to completely different careers. We are now concentrating on career planning blogs so whatever your area of law please consider writing.
Career changes: as we all now work for longer many of us consider second and even third careers either connected to the law or using those skills. Ann Crighton on how to shift your work path from solicitor to direct access barrister. www.legalwomen.org.uk/AnnCrighton.html Courtney Plank who moved from childcare law to a tourist guide. www.legalwomen.org.uk/courtneyplank.html Jennifer Ison who had run her own firm but then set up her own clothing company for petite professional women. www.legalwomen.org.uk/JenniferIson.html
You can find all the blogs on the website www.legalwomen.org.uk/blogs.html
LegalWomen | 13
