Today a reader, tomorrow a leader

Introduction

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader

MARCH 2022

I love this quote from the American educator Margaret Fuller. Reading is a powerful form of acquiring not only knowledge but also a greater understanding of ourselves and our world. It is with this in mind that Legal Women runs its own blog so that insights can be accessed by all.

This edition focuses on the power of blogging: what is its purpose and who reads them? Essay or pamphlet writing has a long and noble history; blogging is merely our modernday equivalent. Short writings or musings have always been powerful from the political and legal spheres to all manner of topical issues in society. The writings of Margaret Fuller, Mary Wollstonecraft or George Sands (Amantine Dupin) and many more caused cultural changes. Although these female authors are less well-remembered today their impact was enormous. Their writings literally changed the world because people read and were influenced by them.

Let’s try the same thing for the legal profession. Tackling diversity means ensuring people feel included and can access the advice and tips they need. For many lawyers, this happens without them even being aware of that privilege. For others, reading blog posts is a great informal way to tap into advice or tips on what to do.

You will find the reflections of an incredible variety of lawyers on our website: Career Planning (http://legalwomen.org.uk/ blogs.html#careerplanning). It is not a spoiler to highlight how many of the contributors had no clear career plan, and yet still became successful lawyers. They show you don’t have to put on a mask and follow certain conventions; you can find another way. Many of the blog posts are deeply inspiring. There are also those who realised being a lawyer did not suit them or felt ready to move on to another career – our posts on Career Changers (http://legalwomen.org.uk/blogs. html#anchorcareer) give insight into how women have made successful career-fulfilling moves.

What are the criteria for publishing? These have evolved as our publication has grown – we publish role models who are an inspiration on the if you can see it, you can be it approach, but this doesn’t mean you need to be senior in the profession. Often junior lawyers have fantastic insights into how to approach peer situations, such as, gaining a training contract, networking and so on. In all our posts, we include some ‘know how’ tips from women who have travelled before us.

Wellbeing has come to the forefront for many of us during the pandemic and the legal profession is confronting how to help its members under strain. Sharing these blog posts is often a reassurance for readers that they are not ‘the only one’ as well as providing great suggestions on how to manage stress, sleep issues, time management and so on. It also satisfies a need to connect, a response perhaps to the enforced isolation we have all experienced.

Do visit Blogs (http://legalwomen.org.uk/blogs.html) whenever you feel like dipping in, looking for quick insights on leadership, judicial careers, founding a business or reading our thoughtprovoking pieces in our LW Opinion section. Let us know your ideas or feel free to write your own blog post and send it to info@LegalWomen.org.uk. ■

Coral Hill

Coral Hill

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

LW magazine is for everyone qualified as 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.

Our mission is to:

■ Provide clear information on gender parity

■ Inspire practical initiatives to create real change

■ Promote innovation in leadership and practice