ICAB (the Barcelona Lawyers Bar Association) and The Law Society of England and Wales, working together for the international development of Gender Equality in the Legal Profession

International

ICAB (the Barcelona Lawyers Bar Association) and The Law Society of England and Wales, working together for the international development of Gender Equality in the Legal Profession

On 21st April 2022, the Barcelona Lawyers Bar (ICAB) presented its first research project (and the first report of its kind) on the experiences, challenges, and possible solutions for Catalonian women lawyers with the aim of advancing gender equality in the practice of law.

The event was introduced by the vice-president of The Law Society of England and Wales, Mrs. Lubna Shuja, (who attended online) and the President of the Barcelona Lawyer’s Bar (ICAB), Mr. Jesús Sánchez García.

The project was developed between Lizzette Robleto de Howarth (International Programmes Manager at the Law Society) who led the research, and Andrea Accuosto who wrote the final report. Andrea Accuosto, a lawyer and member of the Committee of Women Lawyers of ICAB, personally took on the responsibility for implementing the research activities of the project in Catalonia. The project also received significant support from members of the Comissión de Dones Advocades.

Lizzette Robleto de Howarth (L) Andrea Accuosto (R)

Origins of the Project

In June 2019, the Law Society published its global report “Advocating for change: Transforming the future of the legal profession through gender equality”. One of the key challenges highlighted by the report is the lack of data (qualitative and quantitative) on the experiences of women lawyers in the profession. making Law Society therefore initiated a series of research projects in various jurisdictions, with the support from a range of local stakeholders including bar associations, law firms and women lawyers working in institutions.

This project is a collaboration between the Law Society and the Comissió de Dones Advocades of the Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB) and consisted of the following components:

1. A first phase conducted from February to March 2021 which consisted of a survey in Catalonia that obtained 305 responses.

2. A second phase consisting of four roundtables, organised between September and October 2021, with 35 women lawyers from the private, public, NGO, and civil society sectors. The roundtable discussions were implemented under Chatham House rules, to encourage the free expression of all participants. The roundtables discussed the survey findings and explored specific questions to identify creative solutions in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

3. A third final phase consisting of a final report containing recommendations.

Project Objectives

The project focuses on field research work, carried out in two phases. The first phase consisted of a survey completed by 297 women lawyers from all over Catalonia. The second phase consisted of 4 face-to-face roundtables where 35 women lawyers focused on discussing their experiences and their needs in the legal profession. The main objective was to identify and understand the inequalities and difficulties faced by women lawyers, think of possible solutions or changes and bring about improvements for the future of the profession.

Solutions and Proposals

The report explains the main factors that motivated this research. These were (1) Create a more inclusive profession that benefits new generations; (2) Make visible the differences in treatment between men and women in the profession; (3) Provide evidence that gender inequality in the legal sector exists; (4) Explore the negative impact of the lack of work-life balance; (5) Explore the imbalance of the value system within the profession; and (6) The lack of networking and support among women lawyers and the legal sector in general.

The report also explores three aspects identified as obstacles to gender equality in the profession in Catalonia which were firstly conscious and unconscious bias, secondly the lack of flexible working and thirdly, the pay gap. Among the most common proposals were the need to give women lawyers a voice and create forums for them to talk about themselves and their experiences so as to improve their situation in professional practice.

It also highlights the need to implement advocacy or mediation mechanisms and to promote coaching, mentoring, and other forms of intergenerational support among women lawyers. Special emphasis was placed on promoting women's association, and the participation and mobilisation of women lawyers as a model of women's empowerment. Finally, it is essential to include men in the equality debate, and to involve them in changing the social model.

Conclusions

The report presents a series of solutions which range from interventions in education, legislative changes, awarenessraising campaigns, and social movement that seek changes to our mindset. The main aim is to open a new space for debate and action, with commitment and conviction, despite the inherent challenge of resistance to change. There is an imperative for gender equality as it leads to a more diverse, inclusive, and successful profession for all its members.

Andrea Accuosto Suárez

Abogada/Advocada/Lawyer/Avvocatessa aaccuosto@icab.cat www.snabogados.com