Legal Women November 2024

Celebrating Change

 Applying for Awards

 Breaking the Mould

 Alternative Law Careers

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How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” -

Anne Frank

We should never lose our optimism or ability to start new ideas. What we often need to achieve that, is a change of scene or community. It’s great to meet others working towards the same change and I particularly enjoy seeing visible change in our legal profession. One of the reasons for launching Legal Women was to show the importance of female lawyers being visible in the portraiture of our august professional buildings. It’s fantastic to see the response from The Inns of Court and The Law Societies of the four nations taking steps to ensure more visibility of women in the portraiture for their buildings. In the ‘good ole bad days’, oil portraits were commissioned by the President at his or her expense and then donated to The Law Society of England and Wales. This has meant that very few portraits have been made for the last few decades which of course coincides with times of change –women Presidents and people of colour. Apart from the immodesty of commissioning your own portrait it is not an insignificant cost and clearly not appropriate in the 21st century. This has been recognised recently, by an external legal group commissioning a portrait of I Stephanie Boyce, the first person of colour to be President and sixth woman to hold the role. This is a huge achievement and recognition of the importance of seeing role models inside the building that reflect the changing face of our profession. Lubna Shuja needs to be similarly recognised.

So how can we have the greatest impact in an ever-changing world and continue to support our LW community? Simply being part of a legal community campaigning for change can be sufficient; not everyone has to be an activist, but we do need to show our support, in whatever way is appropriate for us. The more one is in a community, the more confident it can make everyone in demanding change and the size of the community can make it more difficult for external authorities to resist.

In terms of seeing change, one project that has struck me as of particular importance are the initiatives on Wikipedia. Of the two million biographies on the site Wikipedia reports under 20% are of women. Women in Red, are changing the dynamic by involving hundreds of volunteers from around the world to contribute historically important individuals from a much wider variety of countries and backgrounds.

In the UK, the British archaeologist and curator Lucy Moore, started a project to ensure at least one woman from every country in the world is included. She has single handedly written biographies of over 500 women since becoming a Wikipedia editor in 2019 and is calling for volunteers. You can find her on ‘X’ @lucyajmmoore

Around the world, some groups are working together to make women visible, offering training and assistance. Spain has Wikiesfera, Italy WikiDonne for example. This reminds me of Amnesty International group letter writing initiatives – a great way to feel part of a community while making a real contribution to change. I’m not aware of an organised group in the UK working on Wikipedia but let’s all make sure we highlight any missing biographies or create a ‘red link’ which indicates that a biography needs to be added.

For each of us, whether it’s creating biographies, ensuring portraits are visible or offering some career assistance to another – this is what makes the overall project of gender equality move forward. This is why it’s so important to join a group or start a new one.

LW is a constantly evolving project as newness, in itself, has impact it’s important to reinvent from time to time.

AUTUMN 2024

Launching Legal Women magazine in October 2020 with a mission of Information, inspiration and innovation relating to gender equality and inclusion in the legal profession enabled me to found the community of Legal Women. One of the motivations was to capture and celebrate, across the four nations, the centenary of the admission of women to the legal profession in England and Wales. I’m enormously proud that was achieved and particularly for the spotlight turned on the lives of early women legal pioneers in our centenary edition in November 2022.

By the time of the centenary celebrations, the growing LW community enabled us to offer more than just a hard copy magazine by using our digital platforms.

Responding quickly to events and visibility is critical and, as part of our LW evolution, we will now focus on our own LW digital presence. We’ve had wonderful feedback on the magazine but it’s clear that to have the greatest impact with our current resources, we should concentrate on our online offering and events, so I am sad that this will be our last hard copy edition, at least for the time being.

I hope everyone enjoys this magazine. For the future, as well as events, both online and in person, we will be working on our digital presence featuring articles and thoughts from the LW community. Do join in, tell your friends and follow us on social media and sign up for notifications on our website Subscribe LinkedIn, X or Instagram ■

Coral Hill Founder and Editor-in-Chief

“LW is a constantly evolving project as newness, in itself, has impact it’s important to reinvent from time to time.”

I

Michael Cross

Stephanie Boyce photo credit:

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Editorial Board

We are delighted to receive advice from the distinguished members of our Editorial Board. Full biographies are available on our website.

www.LegalWomen.org.uk

ENGLAND & WALES

Christina Blacklaws

Millicent Grant KC (Hon) FCILEx

Janem Jones

Sally Penni MBE

Jenine Abdo

NORTHERN IRELAND

Karen O’Leary

SCOTLAND

Alison Atack

Until recently Sarah de Gay was Master of the City of London Solicitors’ Company, and President of the City of London Law Society. Charity Mafuba caught up with her to find out more about what the role involved, how she got there and what she’s planning to do next.

Charity: You grew up in Grimsby and are very proud of your roots (as you should be). What was it like growing up there?

Sarah: You have done some impressive detective work, Charity!

Although I was born and bred (some might say “made”) in Grimsby, it’s not something I have talked about that much. And, sadly, the reason for that is probably obvious to many. You’d think that coming from one of England’s poorest and least socially mobile towns, and being educated in non-selective state schools in the area, would give you a “leg up” when it came to seeking work in the City of London. But when I was trying to find articles (the then equivalent of a training contract), the very opposite was true. So, I learnt pretty quickly not to mention it unless I had to. I managed to secure lots of interviews for articles at City law firms in the 1980s because my academics were good, but I didn’t get a single offer. I ended up (very happily as it turned out) training and qualifying in the West End and moved to the City later (and accidentally) when my firm merged with a larger City law firm. And from there I went bigger still by moving to Slaughter and May, the firm where I practised (and consider to be my legal home) for about 28 years.

What does it take to, literally, be a Master?

More recently, I have begun to talk about Grimsby more. First and foremost because I was “discovered”, a couple of years ago, by a lawyer called John Bowers KC who, among other things, happens to be the Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. He is a fellow “Grimbarian”, openly proud of the fact and does a great deal to promote the town and its people. He encouraged me to come “out of the closet” and through him I have met some incredible people from Grimsby living and working both in the town and in what John calls “the Diaspora”. We regularly meet to discuss the town’s fortunes, and what we might do to help. There’s certainly a new energy about the place, with new-ish employers like Orsted investing there (helping to make Grimsby a key player on the so-called “Energy Estuary”) and with Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit (both successful businessmen/philanthropists from the town), along with others, taking control of Grimsby Town Football Club, turning its fortunes around and in doing so reinvigorating the town’s pride.

Charity: As someone who has carved out a successful career, you are the epitome of “one’s background not being a deterrent to their success”. In the interests of advancing social mobility in the legal field, how important is it for law firms to consider people outside the confines of the “City” who are deemed to be in “cold spots”?

Sarah: Despite all the exciting things happening in Grimsby in recent years, there remain some legacy challenges. I was dismayed to read this headline in The Times, in July of this year – “Grimmest place to be a girl? Grimsby”. A recent study has apparently established that girls are worst affected by lack of progress on gender equality in North East Lincolnshire. Because Grimsby is built on male-dominated industries like fishing, this can, the article said, lead to girls being held back by out-dated stereotypes. This certainly resonated with me, from my own upbringing, but I had assumed it would all have changed for the better long ago. Possibly not the case. So now I am talking about Grimsby a little louder and encouraging large law firms and other prospective employers in the City to visit it, and other neglected coastal towns, to search for young people (not just girls) to both inspire and support.

I think there’s a tendency for some London-centric organisations to visit other vibrant, successful and easy-to-get-to cities like Manchester to “tick” the Northern/diversity box. Our coastal towns are much harder to get to and need the benefit of visits and other initiatives too, and arguably more.

Charity: You have a very close relationship with your sister, how has she influenced your career journey?

Sarah: Every woman needs positive role models in their life, and my sister was definitely one of mine. She’s considerably older than me, 16 years in fact, but we couldn’t be closer. She’s my favourite person to spend time with (apart from my husband, sons and their partners of course) because she has boundless energy and makes everything fun. Her career story is hugely impressive too. Having left school at 16, she experimented with a number of jobs before becoming a nursery nurse at a local school. She was good at it and soon realised (with the support of a self-found mentor) that she couldn’t progress without qualifying as a teacher, so went back to college and then re-entered the world of work. It wasn’t long before she was the head teacher of a state-run nursery school, something she both enjoyed and excelled at. She has a deep-rooted sense of public service without being at all worthy. She’s both resilient and focused. We have this “Grimsby grit” in common, and I am pretty sure I get mine from her.

Charity: What made you decide to go into law?

Sarah: It was a hard decision because as a young child/teenager I was a talented artist and would really have liked to do a Foundation Year and gone onto to do a Fine Art degree. But I wasn’t brave enough to pursue that path. I couldn’t envisage how I would ever be able to support myself and I knew that as soon as I left home, at 18, I would need to be financially independent. So, I decided to study something which more obviously promised a job at the end of it. I’d never met a lawyer (in fact no one in my family worked in an office) but I had watched Crown Court on the television and that influenced my choice. Not only did the lawyers on the screen seem to be in constant demand, they also appeared to “save” the underdog and that appealed to me too. This persuaded me to study law and luckily I enjoyed it.

organisations to divine and define their purpose/values, conducting corporate governance-related reviews).

I am highly selective about what I take on, and my personal slide rule is that I only want to be “a member of a winning team on a worthwhile mission”.

I am also finding time, now that I am working more flexibly, to revisit the unfinished business of my artistic past. I have taken up portrait sculpture, and model large heads out of clay. This summer, I stretched my creative ambitions a little further by attending a residential sculpture course, working for the first time with chisels and stone.

Charity: You served as Master Solicitor at The City of London Solicitors’ Company in 2023-2024. What did that role entail?

Sarah: I did and was proud to be the Company’s fourth woman Master in its circa 100 year history. I was preceded by three incredible women in role (Karen Richardson, Alexandra Marks CBE and Dame Fiona Woolf DBE), but a woman had not been Master for some years. I am delighted that the Company now has a number of impressive women on its Court (its equivalent of a Board of Directors) and so there will be many more female Masters in years to come.

The role is (broadly speaking) equivalent to being the Chair of a Board of Directors, but it’s also very ambassadorial – championing everything not just the Company does and has to offer, but City solicitors more generally regardless of their area of practice or size of firm. It’s not just about Corporate lawyers and the biggest firms. I am proud that the Company’s membership increasingly represents the full diversity of those practising in the City.

Charity: On reflection, how important was it to represent women in that capacity?

“Every woman needs positive role models in their life”

Charity: You have such an illustrious career. Can you tell us about your various interests and passions and how you manage them all whilst still adding value?

Sarah: I have been lucky to have had such a rich and varied legal career and the opportunity to re-invent myself a number of times – starting out as a Corporate/M&A lawyer, then establishing Slaughter and May’s Compliance Department before becoming the firm’s first General Counsel (GC). After stepping down as Slaughter’s GC at the beginning of 2021, I established a non-executive portfolio of roles, each connected with values, standards and ethics.

Currently my roles include being: an independent member of ACOBA (the Cabinet office Committee which advises the Prime Minister on applications made by former ministers/senior civil servants to take up roles in the private sector when leaving public office); a Trustee/Director of The King’s Foundation (the charity founded by HM King Charles III, when Prince of Wales, to put his philosophy of “harmony” into practice) ; an independent lay member of the Editors’ Code of Practice Committee (which sets the standards for UK papers and magazines regulated by IPSO to comply with); a Visiting Professor of University College London’s (UCL’s) Faculty of Laws (where I devise/deliver lectures on ethics-related topics, with a very practical emphasis, and support academics with research projects).

I also support various ad hoc projects from time to time (e.g. I am a Member of the Institute of Business Ethics’ Taskforce on Business Ethics and the Legal Profession, which is currently examining where the boundaries should lie when it comes to acting for kleptocrats) and do some commercial work on a consultancy basis (e.g. hearing workplace grievances, helping

Sarah: It was certainly important to me personally to remind City solicitors that a woman could do the job. But what I hadn’t realised, until I took office, was just how under-represented women are in the livery movement as a whole. There aren’t that many women Masters across all 111 livery companies. It’s hard to be precise about numbers, as livery companies operate to different calendars and appoint their Masters at different times of the year, but at a guess it seemed to be around 10 to 20 per cent at any one time. I found this quite perplexing and even disorienting at first, but, thankfully, I met a few woman Masters early on and we formed an unofficial support group fairly swiftly. They are amazing individuals, and I am certain we will be friends for life.

Charity: You have previously mentioned that what you enjoyed the most during your tenure as Master was meeting and supporting aspiring /younger solicitors with regards to their career journey. What are some of the ways in which you achieved this?

Sarah: One of ways I did this was by supporting an initiative called City Century, a collaboration of 50 or so City law firms which, under the energetic leadership of Patrick McCann and Jo Hughes, is inspiring talented individuals to explore City solicitor degree apprenticeships as an alternative to the traditional route of going to university first.

Early on in my year as Master, I did a keynote speech for Patrick and Jo at an event for Solicitor Apprentices held at Allen & Overy. I was bowled over by the quality and qualities of the Apprentices I met (who seemed to me to be potential law firm leaders of the future), and have been a champion of City Century ever since. I was even persuaded to speak to over 1,000 year 13 students, in a panel discussion about apprenticeships, at an event held at the Queen Elizabeth II centre - a daunting experience but incredibly uplifting.

One of the things I have shared with aspiring solicitors, drawing on my own career experiences, is the importance of getting to grips with the unwritten rules of your profession/organisation quickly and I have offered some tips on how to go about that.

Charity: Additionally, you also mentioned the insightfully diverse conversations you were privileged to have prompted, developed and joined. Specifically, addressing bullying at work, imposter syndrome and the meaning of “integrity” in the profession. How did you do that?

“There will be many more female Masters in years to come”

Sarah: There’s a (minimum) eight-year trajectory to be Master of the City of London Solicitors’ Company, which gives Court members a real opportunity to contribute to the life of the Company and its offering to members. One of the things I did in my lead-up was to establish a programme of events called “Food for Thought”

“Food for Thought” was designed to tackle, head on, the misconception that our livery company is little more than a private dining club for white men. The series has covered topics as varied as these:

• “Do women make more ethical lawyers?”

• “What does climate-conscious lawyering look like?”

• “The challenges of bullying; what can law firms learn from the Raab Report?” (A favourite of mine as it took the form of a panel discussion led very skilfully by Clare Wilson).

Many City solicitors (and, in my experience, women especially) favour content-rich (as opposed to purely social) events which offer the opportunity to meet other interested/engaged lawyers from different law firms to discuss the pressing topics of the day. It’s not for the Company to have an organisational view on any of these matters (we are not representative body in the same way as e.g. the City of London Law Society); instead, I see us as a key facilitator of important conversations, where all thoughts can be freely and safely expressed (under the Chatham House Rule) and we can learn from each other through hearing varied viewpoints.

As to “integrity”, I (very skilfully!) outsourced that job to Professor Steven Vaughan of UCL’s Faculty of Laws. Each year the Master of the day invites someone to deliver “their” Master’s lecture. Last year, Past Master Tony King asked Dan Neidle to talk to “How loud, and when, should lawyers be shouting about the rule of law?”. I decided to move the conversation on (some might say “back” given that acting with “integrity” is one of just seven SRA Principles) to what acting with integrity requires of solicitors. Steven

spoke to the title “Moral Remainders: What is the Price of Professional Integrity?”, and his academic paper which followed is already proving to be influential. He is one of just a small handful of academics in the UK who researches, as well as teaches, legal professional ethics as a topic, so I was delighted that he agreed to give “my” lecture, complimenting “Amplify!” which was the theme for my year.

Charity: On the 21st of May this year, The City of London Solicitors’ Company held a “Lucky Girls” event at Slaughter and May, which asked women in the earlier stages of their legal careers what support they felt they needed to progress in City law firms (and how the livery company could help them with their journey). You prepared a thematic note following the event, which you shared (via LinkedIn) with the profession. Can you please tell us more about this?

Sarah: I was keen to offer an event during my year focusing on women, and in particular those in the earlier stage of their careers, which is how “Lucky Girls” came about.

The principal goal was to ask women solicitors what they themselves think they need to succeed in City law firms, and to explore how the Company can support them in that endeavour. All available places went within days –although it was free to attend, it was a proverbial “sell out”.

Lucky Girls took the form of a discussion (led by Jane Edwarde) with a panel of outstanding women lawyers at different stages of their careers (Alexandra Marks CBE, Clare Murray and Sophia Bell). They generously shared what has worked for them in terms of career advancement. Attendees then considered these questions on their tables, supported by rapporteurs who reported back to the room on principal themes:

• How far do you plan ahead when it comes to your career?

• Do you think you need a five year/similar plan to succeed?

• What would the key elements of any such plan be, and how might the Company support you in succeeding?

Some really interesting themes emerged (you’ll need to read my note to find out more!) and one strong request was for support on how to network better, and to enjoy it more – in response the Company has planned “Lucky Girls 2”, a masterclass on the science of “working a room” to be led by impact guru Esther Stanhope in October 2024, and very generously hosted by Weil Gotshal & Manges. (This time we are making a small charge of £20 pp with all proceeds going to the Company’s Charitable Fund).

I should stress that none of the attendees at this programme of events is a lucky girl – everyone is there as an already successful professional operating at the top of their game. The title is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the TikTok sensation of the same name which suggests that it’s possible to manifest a promotion – the Company is unpicking that notion, naturally!

Charity: What does the future hold for you?

Sarah: I have promised my husband that I will spend more time with him and be free to travel. So, the first priority is to go on holiday! But predictably, I also have a few irons in the fire for when I return – to fill, not in whole but perhaps in part, the livery-sized hole in my life. And, of course, I will continue to support the Company no longer as Master but as an active member of its

Charity Mafuba

Solicitor (England and Wales) and New York Attorney

“The title is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the TikTok sensation of the same name”

Why Women and Gen Z Are Redefining the Legal Profession Breaking the Mould

In my grandma's eyes, women of my generation were neglecting their true purpose: supporting the family. Despite knowing this perspective was outdated, I must confess—I struggled to break free from it. I believed that career success and finding a husband were mutually exclusive.

Looking back on my career, it’s no surprise that I was surrounded by men! They were the so-called “role models” (the only models, actually) and their approach to life and work were truly incompatible with my dreams of integrating career with everything else that mattered to me.

Spoiler alert: I quit the profession. But that’s a story for another blog!

This was 15 years ago. Even though work contexts haven't dramatically shifted since then, and we're still far from achieving gender equity (the UN estimates it will take 300 years), there's no denying that women are increasingly reaching leadership positions - finally!

The good news is on the horizon, and we finally start to reshape the profession. And the good news doesn’t stop here: GenZ entered the working market*. And they’re bold, unapologetic, and they’re not willing to accept the traditional norms that have long defined the legal profession: long hours, making work the sole priority, working for the sake of it without seeing meaningful results, or following aimless paths without clear progression. They crave mentorship and coaching, and they expect to be part of a work culture that promotes balance and purpose.

So, with more women stepping into leadership roles and younger generations bringing fresh perspectives, we’re reshaping the profession’s rules. Together, we are fostering a more fulfilling and balanced environment.

This is a unique opportunity for younger women to learn from a model that isn’t merely a “copy-paste” of past practices. Instead of replicating male-dominated frameworks, women can now pave their own paths and become role models for one another.

But how can we truly bridge the gap between generations and reshape the profession? One significant hurdle is the persistent myth that “women are horrible to women.” We know this isn’t true, and perpetuating this narrative only breeds inefficiency and undermines collaboration.

Here’ Here’s my approach on how we can change that: Normalise Conversations About Struggles Encouraging open discussions about the struggles women face in their careers can help dismantle the myth that they must always be strong or perfect. When women share their vulnerabilities, it creates an environment where others feel safe to do the same. This shared experience allows for the exchange of advice and support, bridging generational divides.

Foster Open Communication We need to promote candid conversations between women of different generations. Open forums, panels, or mentorship programmes can build understanding and empathy, breaking down stereotypes and strengthening connections

Create Support Networks Building support networks where women can lean on one another during difficult times promotes a culture of vulnerability. These networks can provide safe spaces for sharing challenges and seeking advice with one another authentically.

Celebrate Growth Through Vulnerability Highlight stories of women who have grown and succeeded will inspire others and show that vulnerability is a key component of resilience, strength and the so called «success». By celebrating these journeys, we reinforce the idea that vulnerability can lead to meaningful progress.

The Path Forward

It’s time to question the long-standing, rigid rules of the profession and reshape them so that the profession serves us — not the other way around. In this ongoing transformation, women and younger generations have a pivotal role to play. Together, they can pave the way for a healthier, more inclusive, and fulfilling legal landscape — one that benefits everyone.

* Quick disclaimer: generational gaps have always existed in the workplace. The push-and-pull between “I’m more experienced; do as I say” and “I’m eager to contribute” is part of intergenerational dynamics. Gen Z is not the problem. They just need to be listened to, understood, and encouraged to be their best selves ■

Margarida Bonito

Former

Lawyer; Lawyers’ Coach

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarida-bonito-carvalho/

The Power of Industry Awards for Female Lawyers:

Why You Should Pursue Them and How to Prepare a Winning Application

In the legal profession, recognition and accolades can be much more than just a badge of honour— they can be a powerful catalyst for advancing your career. Whether you're a partner in a law firm, an in-house counsel, or a rising associate, being recognized through industry awards or rankings can significantly enhance your professional standing. But how do these accolades benefit female lawyers in particular, and what are the most effective ways to secure them?

Why Strive for Industry Recognition?

The first question many lawyers ask is, "Is it worth the effort to pursue these awards?" The answer, especially for female legal professionals aiming to carve out a strong personal brand, is a resounding yes— provided you have a clear strategy and understand why you're doing it.Industry awards can be instrumental in several ways:

1. Building Trust and Prestige: Awards from respected organizations elevate your standing in the legal community. Clients, colleagues, and other professionals in your field will view you as someone whose work has been validated by experts. This recognition boosts your credibility and signals to others that you are at the top of your game.

3. Expanding Professional Opportunities: Being recognized can also lead to speaking engagements, invitations to contribute to industry publications, or even career advancements. Awards can serve as a calling card, showing that your expertise is sought after in your field.

Crafting a Winning Application: Practical Tips

Once you decide to pursue recognition, the next step is mastering the art of submitting a compelling application. Here are some crucial steps to ensure your submission stands out:

“Awards can serve as a calling card”

2. Strengthening Your Negotiating Power: With recognition comes influence. A prestigious award can help you negotiate better compensation, terms of collaboration, or even open doors to new, more rewarding projects. It's not just about status- these honours can directly impact your bottom line.

1. Align Your Application with the Criteria: Before drafting your application, carefully review the competition or ranking's criteria. Each one has its unique set of requirements, and it's essential to meet both the formal and substantive aspects of the application. If a competition asks for two recommendation letters, submit two— not more, not less. If the guidelines specify that a letter should be one page, don't submit four. Compliance with the rules signals professionalism and respect for the process.

2. Step Outside Your Bubble: Don't assume that your accomplishments will speak for themselves. Even if your work is well-known in your niche, the judges or ranking committee might not understand the specific nuances of your practice area. Be explicit in linking your achievements to the award criteria and make sure to explain the significance of your work in a way that resonates with a wider audience.

3. Avoid Generalities: Many applications fall short because they rely on vague statements. Rather than saying, "I have extensive experience in corporate law," give specific examples: "I successfully led over 50 legal proceedings for financial sector companies, with a 90% success rate in achieving favourable outcomes for my clients." This level of detail paints a more vivid picture of your contributions.

4. Highlight What Makes You Unique: Your application should reflect what sets you apart from others in your field. What do you do better or differently than your peers? Perhaps you've introduced innovative legal technologies to your firm or developed a niche specialisation that fills a market gap. Think about how you can stand out from the hundreds of other applicants who may have similar resumes.

5. Be Authentic: Don't try to present yourself as a flawless lawyer. Committees often value authenticity—applicants who have not only achieved professional success but can also speak to the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Sharing personal stories of overcoming obstacles or difficult cases can make your application more relatable and memorable.

What to Avoid

While it's important to showcase your achievements, there are several pitfalls to avoid when crafting your application:

2. The Legal 500: Another highly respected ranking, The Legal 500 focuses on law firms and individual practitioners. It’s ideal for those with experience in high-profile, international work.

3. Women in Business Law Awards: This award celebrates female lawyers who have made significant contributions to international projects. It’s particularly relevant for women looking to highlight their achievements in male-dominated fields or sectors.

Overcoming Self-Doubt

If you feel hesitant about putting yourself forward for recognition, you're not alone. Many female lawyers struggle with imposter syndrome or fear of failure. Here are a few common roadblocks and how to address them:

• Believing Your Achievements Aren’t Enough: If you're holding yourself back because you think your work isn't "awardworthy," reconsider. Achievements come in many forms—whether it's a pro bono project, a breakthrough in a niche area, or leadership in a complex corporate case. Don’t underestimate your contributions.

• Fear of Public Exposure: Some lawyers worry about being judged or criticized when they step into the spotlight. But remember, seeking recognition is not about self-promotion—it's about acknowledging the value you bring to your clients, your firm, and the legal community.

Conclusion

“Industry recognition is more than just a shiny trophy on your desk-”

1. Avoid Over-Promotion: Your submission should be grounded in facts, not inflated self-praise. Focus on specific successes rather than relying on marketing slogans or unsubstantiated claims. Concrete examples of your work are far more persuasive than general assertions of excellence.

2. Be Clear: A confusing or disorganized application can be the death knell for your chances. If your key achievements are buried in dense or convoluted language, the judges might overlook them. Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to follow.

3. Be Honest: It should go without saying, but never exaggerate your achievements. The legal community is smaller than you think, and false claims could damage your reputation. Integrity is crucial in both your legal practice and in the way you present yourself to awards committees.

When to Pursue Awards

Timing is critical when deciding to submit for industry awards. For female lawyers, recognition can be a career-defining moment, and there are opportunities to seek accolades at every stage of your professional journey.

• Early-Career Awards: If you're still establishing yourself in the legal field, look for competitions targeted at emerging talent. These can give you a head start in building your reputation.

• Mid-Career and Senior Awards: As you gain more experience, aim for higher-profile, more prestigious awards. International rankings such as Chambers or The Legal 500 are not just feathers in your cap—they are indicators of serious professional clout.

Prestigious Legal Awards Worth Considering

For female lawyers looking to make their mark, there are several rankings and awards that could significantly enhance your career:

1. Chambers Global: This international ranking recognizes top lawyers across a range of legal disciplines. Earning a place here can open doors to a global career.

Industry recognition is more than just a shiny trophy on your desk—it’s a tool for building a stronger, more influential personal brand. For female lawyers in particular, these accolades can help break barriers, open new opportunities, and secure your place as a leader in your field. By approaching award submissions strategically, authentically, and with a clear focus, you can position yourself for success in a competitive profession.

So, if you've been considering applying for an industry award, now is the time to take action. With careful preparation and a focus on what makes you unique, you may find that your work is deserving of recognition on a much larger scale than you ever imagined.

And if you feel that you could use some additional support in navigating this process, it can be helpful to seek out experts who specialize in personal branding for female lawyers. Whether it's refining your application, overcoming self-doubt, or sharpening your professional narrative, the right guidance can make all the difference in helping you present your best self to the world. ■

Kamila Kurkowska Legal coach

I mentor and support female lawyers from around the world.

cwww.kamilakurkowska.com

If you would like to write about your experience of applying for an award and its impact please let us know www.LegalWomen.org.uk

Reflections

I’m delighted to see the breadth of issues we covered in previous editions and the continued relevance of so many. The original concept for the magazine was a two-year project to capture the activity around the centenary of women qualifying in the law to ensure there was a clear record. We certainly achieved that.

Celebrating the centenary was particularly special. I’m delighted that the articles of Katie Broomfield and Elizabeth Cruickshank will be there for posterity. Both of them traced the history and highlighted extraordinary changes which took place in a period of 100 years. Katie discussed the barristers called to the Bar explaining that

“The Sex Disqualification Removal Act applied throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The first woman to qualify as a lawyer following the Act was Madge Easton Anderson, who in 1920 was admitted as a law agent in Scotland. In 1936 she sat The Law Society’s final examination and was subsequently admitted as solicitor in England and Wales. The first women barristers anywhere in Great Britain and Ireland were Frances Kyle and Averil Deverell, who were called to the Bar of Ireland on 1 November 1921. Later that month Kyle was also called to the Bar of Northern Ireland. Ivy Williams was the first woman called to the Bar of England and Wales in May 1922. The first woman called to the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland was Margaret Kidd, in July 1923. Revealing the obstacles women faced, Kidd remained the only woman advocate in Scotland for 25 years. She was the first woman in the UK to be appointed King’s Counsel in 1948.”

You can read the whole article here https:// issuu.com/benham/docs/legal_women_ november_2022/8

Elizabeth looked at the solicitors who qualified, including the context of the Second World War, adaptions in training, the motivation, challenges and benefits. She highlighted that the lack of men able to work meant there was enormous pressure on many women to support themselves and families.

There were of course benefits for women which Elizabeth explained: “being able to rely on her own earning power meant that a woman did not have to depend on a husband and 40% of the women who qualified during this period did not marry. The death toll of the First World War undoubtedly removed the potential opportunity to marry for many women – in 1921 there were 1,720,806 more women than men in the population.”

High Profile Appointments

During the time we’ve been publishing we’ve seen appointments of women at the very highest levels of the legal profession.

Susanna McGibbon was appointed in March 2021 as Treasury Solicitor, HM Procurator General and Permanent Secretary to the Government Legal Department (GDL). She kindly provided an excellent review on her career to date which you can read here Susanna McGibbon

She emphasized the importance of flexible working practices and that the GDL has supported staff from long before the pandemic with a wide range of patterns of work. This is critical for everyone in order to share family commitments as she explained: “Importantly, flexible working is not just a “female” thing in GLD, many male colleagues work flexibly too and our parents’ network has just as many active men as well as women providing support and advice to colleagues juggling work and family life.”

A few months later in September 2021, Dame Siobhan Keegan was appointed to the highest judicial post in Northern Ireland as Lady Chief Justice. I was delighted to interview her and host a Legal Women event with her giving the keynote speech. The interview can be read here https://issuu.com/benham/docs/legal_ women_february_2022/20

In the interview she emphasized the importance of mentoring in moving the profession closer to gender parity:

“I had one professional woman in my family, my aunt who was a teacher and became the school principal. I do not think I realised at the time, but I think that did inspire me to think ‘I can do this’. I do not underestimate the power of home mentors, those below the radar, not titled but in their quiet way, they did as much for me as the superstars in the legal world.”

In 2023, Baroness Carr was appointed as Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the first female appointment since the creation of the role some 800 years ago.

As well as highlighting the magnificent achievements of these high-profile women, we were keen to champion the careers of those that choose a different path. You can find articles of junior lawyers setting out on the earliest years of the profession, those who have used their legal skills for associated work or those who have completely changed track and set up businesses or pursued other paths.

Visibility

We also talked to the Law Societies of the four nations about the importance of visibility of women within the building. This can be critical to creating a sense of belonging. Ensuring this change has been a subject of campaigns for some years, as it is often seen as merely a decor issue, but it is so much more to the individuals. We were delighted that I Stephanie Boyce has been honoured with a portrait and certainly hope to see our first Asian President, Lubna Shuja, honoured in the same way.

International Women’s Day is always an opportunity to increase the visibility of female lawyers and we've enjoyed events and campaigns each year -online discussions and round table discussions as well as in person events. In 2024 alone hearing from the then Shadow Attorney General, Emily Thornberry MP (and barrister!) in London. LCJ Keegan in Northern Ireland and Lady Dorian in Scotland.

We are incredibly grateful for the exceptional support from The Law Society of Scotland and The Law Society of Northern Ireland, ably negotiated for us by our wonderful editorial board members from those jurisdictions, Alison Atack and Karen O'Leary respectively.

We also made connections outside the UK, partnering with Kamila Kurkowska, Women in Law Foundation in Poland, interviewing the President of the International Bar Association – only the second female President so far. We heard from lawyers in Pakistan about gendersensitive courts and the empowering work of Dastak, a legal access to justice centre for women and children; as well as featuring the first female Supreme Court Justice, Ayesha Malik, in our Spring edition this year.

Embracing the Future

“During the time we’ve been publishing we’ve seen appointments of women at the very highest levels of the legal profession.”

This was one of our favourite covers and sums up how we feel about the future of Legal Women. We look forward to meeting more of our subscribers by holding more events, both online and in person. To increase our digital presence we will continue publishing on our website and create consistent social media. As always if you have ideas, please let us know. ■

Coral Hill

Emily Thornberry IWD event in London

Thank you Coral…

T he editing team of Legal Women would like to express their immense thanks and gratitude to Coral Hill as the founder and editor of Legal Women . Her inspiration to start the magazine four years ago was visionary as there was a gaping hole in the market for a publication aimed specifically at women working in the law. Legal Women has provided a specialist niche magazine, online and in print, with a wide range of articles that would be of interest to women working in a variety of legal settings from in chambers to charitable organisations.

Coral provided the editing team with many wonderful opportunities to contribute to the magazine through interviewing and engaging in conversation with other women involved in the law and sharing insights and experiences we could all relate to. Forever patient and generous with her time, we have all learnt a lot from her in terms of developing new skills such as editing, writing and how to network.

We celebrate the sheer determination that Coral has demonstrated in producing such a high quality publication time after time and the encouragement she has given to

others, particularly students and young lawyers, to feature and write for Legal Women. Coral managed to foster the diversity and voice of all women involved in the world of law, both in the UK and internationally, in such a unique way.

It is only the magazine that is disappearing, the Legal Women community lives on! Virginia Woolf would be dancing around a Room of Her Own in celebration. ■

Menopause and periods affecting work?

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Why is legal practice management important, what impact does it have on risk and compliance, and how can your law firm drive efficiency and maximise revenue?

WHAT IS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE?

Practice management for law firms is essentially the art of keeping all the moving parts of a legal practice working seamlessly.

It’s the combination of strategic, administrative, and operational processes that optimise the day-to-day operations of a legal practice.

We’re talking about:

• Client, case, and document management

• Automatic time capture

• Know your client (KYC) checks

• Ensuring compliance and addressing risk management

• Managing legal accounts

• Customisable reporting suite

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

It’s not an overstatement to say that practice management software is essential for law firms striving to succeed in today’s competitive legal market.

A well-managed law firm delivers exceptional client service, consistently meets deadlines and maintains clear communication. These advantages lead to higher client satisfaction and retention.

THE BENEFITS OF PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FOR LAW FIRMS

There’s a whole host of benefits to implementing a solid practice management system.

Increased productivity: Simplifying tasks like document management, client communication, and scheduling gives you more time to focus on core legal work.

Enhanced client satisfaction: This, in turn, leads to better client service with quick response times, accurate billing and transparent communication boosting client loyalty.

Complete practice oversight: Track performance at practice, department and individual level to monitor billable work and revenue.

Secure management of client money: Easily facilitate monetary transfers, post bills, pay disbursements and other ledger transactions. Improved efficiency: Streamline administrative tasks, automate processes, centralise information and ensure nothing is overlooked, saving time and costs.

Know your legal clients: Conduct and record due diligence checks to verify identities before engagement.

Secure client information: Store all client, contact and case information securely, making it easily accessible.

Reduced risk: Robust compliance features help your firm meet regulations and ethical standards, reducing the risk of malpractice and legal disputes.

Financial control: Ensure accurate financial records with general and trust accounting, and straightforward billing to help you stay in control of your firm’s finances.

Reporting and analytics: Gain valuable insights through reporting tools that enable you to make data-driven decisions for growth.

WHY CHOOSE UNITY® PRACTICE MANAGEMENT?

Dye & Durham delivers a flexible, friendly and scalable solution – taking the stress out of running your law firm while remaining fully compliant. Cloud-based and robust, and delivered by a Law Society Strategic Partner, Unity® Practice Management offers a comprehensive dashboard overview of your practice so that you can focus on what matters most –building a more efficient, profitable, competitive and successful law firm.

Our software is trusted by over 750 small to medium-sized law firms in the UK and meets all rigorous regulatory requirements to ensure that you’re managing cases and monies correctly.

And now, Unity® Practice Management includes new features to make your practice even more efficient, including:

• DeeDee, your legal information AI assistant, that can help research, draft, and answer legal questions and streamlines tedious tasks so that you can compete better and maximise fee-earning time.

• Easy-to-order residential conveyancing searches that meet independent compliance standards, follow a standardised format that makes it easy to quickly share key insights with your clients, and simplify accounting and cost management with national pricing.

• Instant AML checks including PEP, Sanction, Adverse Media, Law Enforcement, and Disqualified Director checks for improved risk management

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TOP FOUR TIPS

If you remember anything from this article. Let it be these key points:

Tip 1: Actively encourage everyone in your firm to use the practice management system as their primary tool.

Tip 2: Use the data insights from your practice management system to make informed decisions, monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.

Tip 3: Allow the practice management software to handle tedious admin tasks, freeing your team to focus on practising law and impressing clients.

Tip 4: Ensure client information is securely stored. Protecting your firm’s data not only meets ethical and legal standards but also reaps benefits for your firm with clients by building client trust and enhancing your reputation as a trustworthy and reliable practice.

FURTHER READING

The Complete Legal Practice Management Playbook: Your Roadmap to Law Firm Success is available in full as our latest eBook, covering everything from the evolution of cloud-based practice management systems to potential pitfalls of software selection, to glossary of practice management terms, and more. Download our eBook at dyedurham.co.uk

■

Building your profile to bring in more work

Business development is not a favorite for the majority of lawyers. I hear many lawyers say, “I didn’t train as a lawyer to sell.” There are exceptions of course.

Why business development is important

However, lawyers need clients to have work to do. Essentially, lawyers solve a problem or realise a benefit for clients in what can be an emotional matter for them – even if it is a corporate matter. Therefore, it can be helpful to think of business development as letting people know how you can help them deal with a challenge or gain a benefit. This can help to shift mindset away from ‘selling’

If you are really good at what you do, don’t more prospective clients need to know how you can help? They can’t know about you and your work without you doing some activity to make them aware.

If you are a good lawyer and treat your clients well then you have the potential to bring in additional work. However, a more proactive approach to business development is now often required – here’s why:

• Most firms want to increase their revenue and this growth will be limited if only a few people – usually Partners - are contributing to bringing in more work.

• As an individual, it helps you progress in your own firm if you have brought in new work.

• It also helps you build your market profile, so if you ever leave your firm, you have a ‘following’.

The earlier in your career you start, the easier it will be. Doing this will also make sure you have a good network at the point where you have to contribute to business development. However, starting before this is the case will also help you stand out positively amongst your peers and if as a firm, more fee earners get involved with active business development then your firm will perform better than your competitors.

Having a business development culture not only contributes positively to firm growth and individual career development but also creates a dynamic environment that is often attractive to top legal talent.

Key types of business development

1. Developing relationships with existing clients

This is obtaining more work from existing clients; it includes the same service area and different departments of the firm – cross-selling. Many lawyers completely miss out on this when it is the easiest way to grow a practice/firm.

2. Referrals from existing clients and intermediaries

Prospective clients who come through a referral are four times more likely to buy and have a 16% higher lifetime value*Wharton. You need to build, maintain, and gain the benefit from a network of referrers.

3. New Business Development

Finding new clients – this requires you to be able to build a personal profile and become known in the market to attract them.

Top tips for bringing in more business from all three types of business development

1. Deliver excellent quality work – this might sound obvious but it’s not just the ‘what’, it’s the ‘how’! Clear communication and losing the jargon are two top tips.

2. Personal impact – consider what others’ experience of you feels like. Coming across as credible and friendly are key, as well as being able to adapt your communication style to others.

3. Listen and learn – get to know your clients and prospects so they feel valued and engaged with. They are more likely to share concerns they have and talk to you about challenges which can lead to further instructions.

4. Be clear who your clients are – this might sound obvious; you might have had the approach to take work that comes without much further thought. However, it is important to consider if there are specific types of clients you do great work for and can create (anonymous) case studies about e.g. a certain sector or type of person. You can then be more focused in terms of your approach to find more of these potential clients.

5. Keep in touch – regular contact is important to remind people you exist and to build the relationship - staying top of their mind is vital.

6. Different ‘touchpoints’ – consider how you come across in the different ways you engage with others. For instance, do your emails align with how you come across in person?

7. Internal relationships – make time to build them. Not only will this help your career, but it will also help other lawyers in different departments to understand what you do, to trust you and to make them more likely to refer their valued clients to you and vice versa.

8. Know who shares your clients – depending on what legal work you do, intermediaries can be a great source of referrals e.g. other professional services such as accountants.

9. LinkedIn profile – make sure this represents you well. It should be ‘push’ and ‘pull’. Easy for those who know of you from elsewhere to find you and for new people to find you in a search for your expertise. Your profile needs to be complete, credible, accurate and engaging.

10. Get comfortable with networking – very few actively enjoy attending events but with the right skills and practice it is an excellent way to meet many people in a limited time and enjoy it more. I have written a whole chapter in Globe Law and Business’s book on Business Development for Women Lawyers.

11. Improve your visibility – consider where else you need to be active and present. For example, if your clients read certain magazines, websites etc. can you write for those to showcase your legal expertise?

12. Develop a relationship with marketing – this is really important as marketing shouldn’t operate as a silo, especially as law is a service and clients are essentially ‘buying’ you. Working with marketing to align, as well as using and asking for the marketing resources you need is vital. You are the key point of client and prospect contact so can feed into marketing what clients are saying and wanting now, as well as ask for what you need in terms of collateral to support business development. Marketing often has helpful knowledge about events and can help you increase your visibility and build your individual profile.

13. Ask for support – this is a general point as more can be gained by lawyers and relevant business services people working together. However, specifically if you need some training to help you start/improve your business development, then ask L&D or whoever is relevant within your firm.

14. Consider the internal impact – building your profile and developing business for your firm are highly valuable activities. However, they can sometimes be the cause of challenges in your department/broader firm if you don’t take people on the journey with you, whether you are a junior lawyer or more senior. It is a collaboration opportunity.

What next for you?

This might seem like a very long list of actions to take. A good start might be to review the list objectively and see which elements you are already doing well and code them green, which you are doing to some degree (amber) and which not at all (red). Then take a couple of the ambers at a time and work on them. If you try and do too much at once, it will be overwhelming, you won’t have time and are unlikely to continue with any of it.

Business development is very important for your career and the performance of your firm, but it takes time to get into a routine and manage it around chargeable work and other responsibilities, so patience and tenacity are vital. ■

Joanna Gaudoin Managing Director of Inside Out Image,

specialises in helping lawyers excel at relationships in different professional situations, helping them improve performance and achieve their goals.

She offers tailored training for firms and works one-to-one with lawyers. She is the author of Getting On: Making work work and a co-author of Globe Law and Business’s book on Business Development for Women Lawyers

Black History Month Campaign

In October, Legal Women Celebrated Black History Month concentrating on this year’s theme of Reclaiming Narratives and sharing stories of Black history and culture, as well as correcting historical inaccuracies.

We featured stories of many Black women at varying stages in their career who were personally “reclaiming narratives” in their life. More importantly, these amazing women shared their “statements of intent” on how “reclaiming narratives” inspired them to dream big about their future. To say that “their future is looking bright” would be an understatement. The sheer determination of these women is a powerful testament to their resilience.

A couple of common themes that transcended across all the stories shared. Firstly, the “angry black woman” narrative which is conflated in instances when black women are merely being assertive and confident. Moreover, it also serves as a gaslighting technique when, having been subjected to oppression and marginalisation, black women are expected to remain silent.

Secondly, the alarming disparity between the opportunities accorded to black women and their counterparts, despite their competence and achievements being on the same level if not higher.

I have highlighted three examples of these insightful stories from some of our amazing contributors. The rest of these stories can be accessed on our social media pages. ■

Queen Kupakuwana

What are some of the narratives and historical inaccuracies about black people that you believe should be reclaimed?

There is a need for Africans to change the wrong narrative and perspective in respect of inaccuracies and prejudice that characterise black people, the wrong beliefs that have been set over the decades painting a bleak picture of the future. The true African narrative will serve as a powerful antidote to the misrepresentation, stereotypes and bias against Black history, culture, belief and achievements. This will help to restore the sense of pride, identity, dignity and self-belief as a means to foster respect, authenticity, value, depth of the Black history and culture of the Africans and the Diaspora as a people.

More appreciably Africans can build and portray an authentic narrative that serves as a foundation for a prosperous future. It can inspire and drive change, challenge existing stereotypes, and allow Africans to assert their position on the global stage confidently. The African diaspora can help maintain strong connection to their roots, ascertain their origin ,find themselves and enhance self-esteem among Africans and challenge systemic racism, structural prejudice that thrives on stereotypes and misinformation and dilution of facts on Afrocentric values that were rooted in Ubuntu values.(‘’you are because am’’)

Non-Africans' narratives about Africa are frequently inadequate and erroneous, in addition to being biased they propagate prejudice, inferiority, calumny and self-hate. Many a time Africa's rich historical past is frequently ignored or reduced to slavery, colonialism, and poverty in the Western educational system and world politics. Africa is never seen or presented as a partner or a source of solutions, hope and development. Africa has made great contributions to philosophy, science, the arts, music and world contemporary culture, these elements have either been minimized or completely disregarded. It is a sad fact to observe that there has been a deliberate ploy to paddle a false narrative that frequently ignores or substitutes facts with falsehoods which do not acknowledge the fact that Africa is the cradle that gave rise to humanity, it was the site of affluent medieval kingdoms and renounced educational centres such as Timbuktu in Mali and outstanding architectural and civil construction origins at Great Zimbabwe, which were all intellectual havens were the origins of mathematics, contemporary engineering and agriculture in ancient Egypt that surpass modern scientific inventions.

Are there any less well known and/or untold stories about successful black figures that you believe should be reclaimed and amplified?

In Zimbabwe we have Nyatsimba Mutota, the founder and first Mutapa King. Mutota was sent to explore the area around the Zambezi Rivers north bend, and he returned happy to report that there was an abundance of salt and wild game. This is according to Shona oral tradition. During the middle of the 15th century, Nyatsimba Mutota, a renowned member of the Great Zimbabwean royal family is recognised for having established the Mutapa Empire to the north of the country where he ruled. One of the biggest empires in sub–Saharan Africa, it stretched nearly to the Indian Ocean’s edge when it first arose under Nyatsimba Mutota.

Secondly, prior to Serena Williams, there was Alice Coachman. In 1948, she achieved the distinction of being the initial black female to secure an Olympic gold medal, although similar to numerous black individuals, she encountered struggles to accomplish this remarkable achievement. Hailing from Georgia in the United States, the epicentre of segregation in the south, she encountered racism and was consistently prevented from participating in formal sports training or competitions. Always coming up with new ideas, she got creative by running shoeless on dirt paths and using branches and twine to train for the high jump. In the end, she excelled in competitions.

However, her aspirations of competing in the Olympics were delayed by the eruption of World War II, causing a temporary halt before she could pursue them. Alice managed to break a record by jumping 5 feet, 6 1/8 inches. She still motivates people to follow their athletic aspirations, regardless of any challenges they may face. She once mentioned that when things get difficult and you feel like giving up, listen to the inner voice urging you to persevere.

What achievements from famous black historical figures and culture inspire you to dream big?

The achievements of W.E.B Du Bois inspires me to dream big. W.E.B. Du Bois was already well-known as one of the most prominent Black intellectuals of his time before he co-founded NAACP. He was the first Black graduate of Harvard University with a PhD. He was a big Advocate for black education and power. I’m following in the footsteps of Du Bois who was an intellect and researcher.

“The achievements of the late former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela remain iconic, he was a distinguished international statesman who graced the world political arena with tact, astonished every one with his charisma and diplomacy he inspires me a greatly.”

As a student at Atlanta University, a historically Black university, Du Bois made a name for himself as a preeminent authority on racial issues and the suffering of African Americans. He disagreed with notable modern scholar Booker T. Washington's assertion that Southern Blacks ought to forgo their fundamental rights in return for access to legal justice and education. Additionally, he disapproved of the idea put out by abolitionist Frederick Douglass, which held that African Americans ought to assimilate into White culture. In contrast, Du Bois argued that Black Americans should embrace their African history even while they worked and lived in the United States in his essay "Strivings of the Negro People," which was published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1897.

The media has also contributed significantly to the propagation of an incomplete narrative by emphasizing stories of poverty, illness, and violence while mostly ignoring those of resiliency, creativity, and progress. The skewed perception of Africa caused by this selective narrative emphasizes how urgently we need a more truthful, nuanced, and balanced representation of the continent by putting the Africans at the centre of defining their history, arts, music and narrative.

The achievements of the late former president of South Africa ,Nelson Mandela remain iconic, he was a distinguished international statesman who graced the world political arena with tact, astonished every one with his charisma and diplomacy he inspires me a greatly. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader to emerge out of Africa. He became a potent symbol of black power and colonial resistance throughout the world as the anti-apartheid movement gathered momentum. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom. Nelson Mandela was released in prison on February 11, 1990 after negotiations with the hard-line Afrikaner regime. He mesmerized the world with his idea of prioritizing nation building through forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa. He received more than 260 awards over 40 years, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. From 1994 to 1999, Mandela was President of South Africa. He was the first such African to be elected in fully representative democratic polls. His traits and outstanding virtues continue to inspire humanity in terms of being an example of selfless service to the world. ■

Oluwademilade Adewakun

What are some of the narratives and historical inaccuracies about black people that you believe should be reclaimed?

A narrative and historical inaccuracy about Black people that I believe should be reclaimed is the myth that colonialism brought "civilization" to us, particularly in Africa. This distorted view suggests that European rule benefited Africans by introducing technological advancements, but the reality is far different. Colonialism exploited African people and resources, with many infrastructure developments primarily serving the interests of colonial masters. A clear example is the exploitation of the Democratic Republic of Congo by King Leopold II of Belgium, who, under the guise of "benefiting" the people, exploited the land for resources like ivory and rubber.

This narrative links into another harmful myth: that Black people, particularly Africans, were "primitive" and made no significant contributions to technology or education. In truth, Africa has a rich history of innovation. The University of Timbuktu in Mali was one of the world’s first major centres of higher education. Ancient Nigeria's Nok culture developed ironworking technology centuries before similar advancements in Europe. African achievements in astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and architecture, as seen in the Pyramids of Egypt and Great Zimbabwe, further debunk the myth of African primitiveness.

healer, played a significant role in the Crimean War, providing care to wounded soldiers despite facing racial prejudice and rejection. Her contributions to nursing, including her early use of hygiene practices, have been greatly overshadowed by Florence Nightingale, with some scholars even reducing her role to merely serving tea. However, Mary Seacole’s extensive knowledge and experience, particularly during the yellow fever and cholera epidemics, position her as one of the pioneers in modern nursing whose story remains largely untold.

Similarly, Ignatius Sancho, born a slave, rose to become a writer, composer, property owner, and the first Black Briton to vote in an election. His involvements in the abolitionist movement and his literary contributions portray vastly, the determination and innovation of Black individuals beyond the context of slavery. However, his story is still underrepresented in mainstream history.

Also, Christian Frederick Cole, who was the first Black lawyer to practice in English courts and the first Black graduate of Oxford University, also deserves recognition. He faced significant challenges, including racial prejudice and financial difficulties. Yet, Cole’s contributions to anti-racist movements and his pioneering legal career remain largely understated and underemphasized.

These stories all portray the rich and diverse contributions of Black individuals to history, and further highlight the importance of challenging the narrow and prejudiced narratives often associated with Black history.

What achievements from famous black historical figures and culture inspire you to dream big?

“As a Black woman in the legal field, I’m aware there are spaces still silently perceived as not meant for me, however, their legacies inspire me to dream big, defy limitations, break barriers, and become a force to be reckoned with”

The stories of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Harriet Tubman are profound sources of inspiration for me as a Black woman. Funmilayo, a revolutionary Nigerian leader, achieved remarkable feats, including being the first woman in Nigeria to drive a car, organizing successful protests against British oppressive tax policies, and founding a literacy class for women at a time their education was undervalued. Her life inspires me to dream big because, despite her privileges, she used her education to be a voice for Nigerian women and to challenge oppressive systems. Her defiance and independence resonate with my own journey, as I am also privileged to have a family that values education—a privilege which is still very out of reach for many women in rural Nigeria. Funmilayo’s courage to break into male-dominated spaces encourages me to do the same in the legal field.

Lastly, the historical portrayal of Black people, particularly in the Americas, as solely defined by slavery and oppression needs to be reclaimed. While the history of slavery is integral, it is equally important to recognize the rich, diverse histories of Black innovation, leadership, and culture that existed long before these atrocities. Furthermore, despite being forced into a certain way of life, Black people have always been innovators, leaders, and activists. It’s time to correct the narrative and acknowledge the full extent of Black contributions to history.

Are there any less well known and/or untold stories about successful black figures that you believe should be reclaimed and amplified?

The stories of successful Black figures like Mary Seacole, Ignatius Sancho, and Christian Frederick Cole deserve to be amplified. Mary Seacole, a British-Jamaican nurse, humanitarian and

Similarly, Harriet Tubman’s leadership of the Underground Railroad leading enslaved people to their freedom, her role in the Civil War as the first woman to lead an armed assault, and her involvement in the women’s suffrage movement portray her incredible resilience. Born into slavery, she did not let her circumstances define her; instead, she became a force for freedom and justice for others like herself. Harriet’s story teaches me the power of self-belief and determination. Both women, despite their challenges, fought not just for their own rights but for others, breaking into spaces branded as ‘not meant for them’.

As a Black woman in the legal field, I’m aware there are spaces still silently perceived as not meant for me, however, their legacies inspire me to dream big, defy limitations, break barriers, and become a force to be reckoned with in this field. ■

Patti Kachidza

What are some of the narratives and historical inaccuracies about black people that you believe should be reclaimed?

I was the only black student in my secondary school in Brisbane. My history teacher asked me to write an assignment on ‘Perceptions of Africa’. I created a template survey, with questions such as ,“What do you think Africa and Africans are like?” The answers showed that most of the respondents thought Africa was a continent of poverty, flies and bicycles (don’t ask!) They had no understanding of African history, the great kingdoms, architecture, trade or literature.

I realised that their beliefs were similar to the inaccurate and illogical narratives which underpinned the system of apartheid that I lived under in my early childhood. Apartheid did not segregate people on a ‘separate but equal’ basis. It ranked people based on their skin colour. This meant that the paler your skin, the higher your chances of success would be. The dark skinned people inevitably got the least opportunities and were treated the worst.

Prejudgement and misconceptions still exist today. The only difference is that during apartheid, those beliefs were enforced by the law, while today, the beliefs are quietly played out in society and workplaces without being openly expressed. Examples are:

1. Black people are not as intelligent as other races

2. Before colonialism, there was no civilisation or education in Africa. Why do these narratives even exist? The answer is simple. They were designed to justify the oppression of black people in countries where they were enslaved and colonised. How do we reclaim and correct these narratives? Correct them using data, not emotion. Work with allies, journalists, opinion leaders who ‘get it’ and are passionate about fighting prejudice and bringing fairness to our societies. Black History month is a wonderful opportunity to educate black, white and brown people alike about black scholars, scientists and great warriors for justice and progress and show that intelligence is not the preserve of any one race.

Are there any less well known and/or untold stories about successful black figures that you believe should be reclaimed and amplified?

My reading has led me away from the well known leaders such as Martin Luther King and others. I now know about Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse who distinguished herself by treating soldiers during the Crimean War. She was also a successful author, investor

and business woman. She died in 1881, and more than 100 years later, was awarded the Order of Merit by the Jamaican government. Mary’s story should be publicised to showcase her skills as a medic, and as a highly successful businesswoman and author. In 1857, she wrote “Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands” the first autobiography by a black woman in England.

In addition to the many women who led their people in battles elsewhere in Africa, one less well known internationally was Nehanda Nyakasikana, born in Zimbabwe in 1840. Contrary to the narrative of Africans having no religion or political doctrines before the arrival of the white missionaries, Nehanda spoke about God as the guide for resistance against oppression and colonisation. She was the daughter of a powerful king, Munhumutapa, and had political acumen. She initially welcomed the first white people as visitors and traders, telling her people “Do not be afraid of them”. When it became clear that the newcomers had come to colonise and enslave the people, Nehanda led the revolt against Cecil John Rhodes invasion of the country. She and her ally, Sekuru Kaguvi were eventually captured and executed by Rhodes’ British South Africa Company in 1889. Her heroism inspired the nationalist war of liberation from British colonialism which began in the 1970s.

What achievements from famous black historical figures and culture inspire you to dream big?

I have always thought my inspiration to dream big would come from academics and political leaders, because of their obvious visibility in media. I am part way to retirement, and look back on the messages that inspired me from my youth.

I have now been impressed by the visionary thought leadership that comes from writers, musicians and poets who have been published. Imagine, millions of people flocking to buy your work, your music, lyrics and creative talent. From Bob Marley’s words to “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds” to another famous song “We are the world, we are the ones who make a brighter day so let’s start giving” and so many others, I am inspired to challenge myself and my assumptions, and then to set aside time to give, to empathise, and play my part to “make the world a better place”. Although much of what I do may not be on a platform or in a public space, it makes me happy, hopeful and fulfilled #BHM.

■

Curated by Design by Charity Mafuba Emma Webb

“Prejudgement and misconceptions still exist today. The only difference is that during apartheid, those beliefs were enforced by the law, while today, the beliefs are quietly played out in society and workplaces without being openly expressed.”

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Rhiannon Sawyer

@linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-sawyer-4005a 470+ connections

This evening I had the honour of attending the swearing in of the High Sherrif of Greater London, chair of KNIGHTS YOUTH CENTRE and friend Millicent Grant KC (Hon)

Congratulations Millie!

Ihttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/rhiannon-sawyer-4005a470_ justice-youth-inclusion-activity-7188605782089682945NWNE?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop #justice#youth#inclusion#socialmobility

Women Who Work @ www.womenwhowork.uk 2K followers

SCOTTISH LAUNCH

We are delighted to announce that we are launching our mentoring programme in Scotland!

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#womenwhowork#mentoring#mentoringprogramme #scotland#womenleaders#maternityleave #returntowork #professionalservices #womeninlaw#investmentmanagement Alexandra Buchan-Heelas Joy Davey

Fotis Vergis @FotisVergis 506 Followers

Fotis Vergis on X: "Eleanor Sharpston: perhaps the greatest AG of all time, and certainly the one to fully embrace the EU's aspirational narrative and try to actually make it work for its people and *their* good. And the most humble giant of them all. Links to the conference in her honour below: https://t.co/ AtRgfwrOR5" / X

UN Women @UN_Women

Oct 27

Unpaid care and domestic work should be a shared responsibility. Yet, globally, women spend over 2.5 times more hours per day on unpaid care work than men. On #DayOfCare and every day, let us share the care at home. Learn more: http:// unwo.men/2p9h50TTH0B

LW Recommends

FILM

Lee

This gem of a film moves from young people lounging in the sun in South of France to hard to watch horrors of Nazi concentration camps. It follows the life of an extraordinary model and photographer Lee Miller, based on the biography The Lives of Lee Miller, written by her son. Growing up he had been quite unaware of the role of his mother during World War II.

Kate Winslet plays the main role and was personally involved in the casting, contacting many well-known actors, including Mario Cotillard, Jude Law, Andrea Riseborough and Josh O’Connor. The cinematographer Ellen Kuras made her directorial debut.

There was difficulty in gaining funding and at one point, pre-production, Kate Winslet personally covered the staff wages. She has commented subsequently that male investors did not see the merit in the content of the film or why Lee Millar was a person of interest.

You can see a short documentary with clips on You Tube which gives a great overview here:

Lee Miller: The True Story | Lee | Sky Original

If you are interested to see more of Lee Millar’s work, you can visit her house in Sussex which is now open to the public. Lee Miller Archives | Conserving the legacy of Lee Miller, Roland Penrose and their contemporaries.

Widow Cliquot

La Grande Dame of Champagne is of course Veuve (widow) Cliquot, who inherited substantial business interests on the unexpectedly early death of her husband, leaving her a widow at 27. Against all advice she retains the vineyard and plans to expand its produce, particularly the champagne. This is where Madame Cliquot excelled by introducing new methods producing the famous drink that we all recognise today.

Its beautifully filmed but concentrates on exploring some of the differences in leadership between women and men perhaps at the expense of the rest of the story. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of reviews using wine terminology to appraise the film, including Phil Hoad in the Guardian: “It’s not quite the full grand cru period drama from the Merchant Ivory vintage, but rather a semi-sparkling biopic.”

General release in cinemas

PODCASTS

Little Women

Louise May Alcott had no interest in writing this book for teenage girls but, as she made her income by writing, she was persuaded by her publisher to produce it. He had spotted that there were plenty of books aimed at teenage boys but none in existence for girls. It was an instant, phenomenal success and made her fortune.

Nearly everyone has read the book or seen one of the film adaptations but this podcast reflects on the legacy of the book and the extent to which it reflects the author’s own life.

In Our Time - Little Women - BBC Sounds

Women’s hour

The Women’s Equality Party plans to disband in order to campaign for equality in a different way.

It lists its main achievements as convincing more women to come into politics, success in challenging the system (and MPs who allegedly involved in sexual harassment against women), changing the dialogue in respect of universal childcare and the way politicians and society respond to women’s concerns. It was also the first UK political party to be led by a woman of colour.

However, for a wide range of reasons the leader of the party considers a different approach is required. This is the result, of course, partly due to financial challenges but also a reflection of the struggle for media space and attention. For sure, they plan to continue activism in other forms.

To hear more about this item listen at circa 2.30 mins to 15.40 mins Woman's Hour - Is the Women's Equality Party disbanding? Anna Maxwell Martin, Sexual Assault Referral Centres - BBC Sounds

BOOKS

New Methods for Women: A Manifesto for Independence

The author, Sharmadean Reid MBE, is a successful entrepreneur and shares some of her personal discoveries as a young professional. This is an incredibly readable book and is intended for others to consider new methods for lifting yourself up and excelling. The chapters cover relationships, diet, finding purpose at work and in life, and tips on how to build a community.

I loved all the quotes from such a wide range of feminist works. Sharmadean conceived of her own book while reading Viriginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own and even references The Book of the City of Ladies written in the early 15th century by Christine de Pizan! The fabulous reference section would make a good basis for approaching feminist writings!

The Rise and Rise of the Law Influencer

We live in a digital age, a network society and we’re on an algorithmic wave… historical conditions that make the times ripe for the rise and rise of the law influencer. The changes in a few decades are as great as the industrial revolution which transformed Britain from a rural economy to the mechanised factory system. To reflect on the similarly seismic transformation on society in 17th century I spoke with three women holding different perspectives in the legal world, Isabel Bertram, Eileen Donaghey and Christina Blacklaws I explore the implications of the emergence of this recent phenomenon.

The Legal Women team has explored the online profiles of four female legal influencers, or ‘lawfluencers’, from diverse backgrounds to examine the ways legal professionals are using social media in their careers.

Isabel Bertram is Head of Business Development and Marketing at Radcliffe Chambers in Lincoln’s Inn and primarily engaged in fostering client growth in Chambers. I ask her how she sees the role of law influencer in relation to Chambers and the legal profession more widely. She views it as being driven primarily by a younger generation rather than by those working at law firm partner level. She talks about young women she knows who have adopted the role as an alternative to lawyering, working in aligned sectors such as asset investigation, pro bono and paralegal branches of the profession. These women have successfully taken up speaker roles as law influencers and created a career for themselves through networking and brand promotion enterprise in ways that engage with the gig economy zeitgeist of entrepreneurialism, whether at a financial or existential level. For many women, says Isabel “it gives them a mouthpiece” where they might previously have been silenced, a chance to “eek out a career” in a competitive field, and a way of “taking power” in a way that she argues “democratises” the profession – be it in terms of gender or access. Isabel celebrates the spirit of challenge and fun intrinsic to the role, a spirit framed by the well-established online platform RollOn Friday which hosts law influencers to circulate vital, newsy, even gossipy ‘must know’ information.

Eileen Donaghey

is an independent consultant whose business aims to help law firms and enterprises win new clients by improving business development and marketing skills. She has written previously for Legal Women on imposter syndrome and is committed to training lawyers in developing an online presence and public profile.

Eileen has developed her own brand in a Tea Etiquette Business, working with international clients and the corporate sector to provide an “afternoon tea with a difference” experience.

She brings a note of caution however, concerned about the potential for ‘burn out’ that young legal influencers may experience. She highlights the extraordinary pressure felt by them to create new content, manage algorithms and navigate the risks of over exposure whilst remaining aligned with the sector’s own professional standards.

Eileen argues that as well as the pressure of posting regularly, sustaining a 10K rating, and maintaining an effective engagement rate, the young law influencer is often already under significant job pressure as a solicitor or lawyer. She goes on to talk about the harm, especially for women, associated with public visibility* and raises the question of a professional ‘conflict of interest’ that may exist especially in fields such as family law for a solicitor taking up too public a profile. Eileen talks from experience of the difficulty young professionals whom she has known have had in struggling to resist the law influencer call, and of instances of imposter syndrome resulting in some cases from the duress. She notes the pitfalls for both individuals and firms, of getting caught up in the “stigma” of certain platforms, notwithstanding company social media policy regulations.

Christina Blackwell is former President of The Law Society for England and Wales, and brings an insider perspective, as someone who has become a legal influencer by virtue of her experience and prestige. She seeks to raise consciousness and promote empowerment in relation to equality, diversity and inclusivity. Christina also brings insight into the shifting attitudes of and towards female lawyers today.

In this sense, Christina approaches the role of legal influencer in a very different way to those young legal influencers represented in this issue of Legal Women. I ask Christina whether she feels any reserve about drawing on personalised content, coming as she does from an older generation, and she responds, “When I entered the workforce it was really tricky to have an identity that was outside of the narrow boundaries of work life. For example, having children, having pictures of your children, talking about your children to senior male colleagues – was really quite hard. I do think a lot of women chose not to talk about these things as it would have pigeonholed them and may even have been potentially career limiting. Hopefully, we have moved on in a positive way and women feel more empowered to be their authentic selves, and that feeds into their social media presence and that is to be celebrated”.

I tell Christina about a different conversation I had recently with a successful young barrister who is pregnant, and who declared herself as therefore having ‘a baby brain’. I confess to her - how struck I was by this expression, coming as I do from that generation of feminists who would never admit to such vulnerability; a generation who wore padded shoulders in a bid to claim equality with men. Christina laughs in recognition and says, “It’s what we were required to do” – but argues that law firms today are necessarily more aware of gender matters. “We’re not there yet though!” she warns, and we muse on the shift in feminist consciousness there has been in our lifetime, from a quest for equality to an assertion of difference!

“the fashion for padded shoulders to indicate power”

My conversation with the three women sifts through the pros and cons of this new phenomenon of the law influencer: celebrating the ‘zeitgeist’ imperative for diversity and democratisation of the legal profession that the law influencer is part and parcel of; professing concern for those harms such as ‘burn out’, ‘imposter

syndrome’, and the exposure associated with public visibility that it generates. I wonder at the invisible hand of Big Tech that incentivses the small influencer to feed herself, like straw into a Spinning Jenny, and turn out gold - to keep the punter scrolling.

“the spinning jenny - a key development of the industrial revolution”

‘Authenticity’ we all know is the currency of law influencing. Noone knows how this will play out precisely but the insights from Isabel, Eileen and Christina provide some guide.

If Isabel is right - and law influencing is primarily the pursuit of the young, perhaps ‘authenticity’ offers an antidote to the ‘polish’ that David Smith condemns in his article of this Issue of Legal Women, as that “ gloss - that offers a rose-tinted version of user’s lives”, a corporate discourse that has “fallen out of favour” with a younger generation. Hence, the turn towards a more “humanising online presence” of lived experience as something more authentic, more real - where human flaws and frailties such as a ‘baby brain’ in pregnancy may render the law influencer more “relatable”.

If Eileen is right – about the risks of the platform economy where public visibility of women and marginalised groups can leave them especially vulnerable, this raises the question of how and which regulatory networks and powers should respond to such platforms that fail to protect them.

If Christina is right – and law firms have ‘moved on’, they must progress further to develop policy that balances the professional responsibility and safety of staff, with ethical implications of client confidentiality, and the creation of new career opportunities for women.

Perhaps juggling these three nuanced perspectives of Isabel, Eileen and Christina is our best compass for evaluating this new phenomenon -of the rise and rise of the law influencer. ■

Molly Bellamy University of Law

* See: Brooke Erin Duffy European Journal of Cultural Studies The politics of vulnerability in the influencer economy. 2023 Vol 27 Issue 3 Brooke Erin Duffy https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6314-8027 bduffy@ cornell.edu, Anuli Ononye, and Megan Sawey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2773-0452View all authors and affiliations

See: Anthony Song and Justine Rogers 37 Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics 2024 Lawfluencers Legal Professionalism on Tik Tok and YouTube (2023 UNSWLRS 7).

The Age of Influence

The ‘influencer’ is everywhere in today’s social media landscape; a side hustle for some and a vocation in itself for others. The legal profession is no exception. The methods and aesthetics differ generationally; millennials and Gen Z prefer platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, as they facilitate a more open degree of engagement with an audience and lean towards a more ‘humanising’ online presence. It appears that younger generations have tired of the polished gloss, which was until fairly recently pervasive on social media, wherein heavily curated profiles offered a rose-tinted version of user’s lives. This false pretence has now fallen out of favour, which poses an interesting challenge for those that combine professional and influencer roles. They are required to strike an equilibrium of a relatable online profile that doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of their lives while still sustaining an air of professionalism and adhering to their ethical responsibilities.

The Legal Women team has explored the online profiles of four female legal influencers, or ‘lawfluencers’, from diverse backgrounds to examine the ways legal professionals are using social media in their careers.

Blessing Mukosha Park

(a.k.a. Blessing at the Bar) is a barrister specialising in property, insolvency, and commercial law who enlists a multi-pronged, cross-platform approach. According to her website, she seeks to ‘provide motivation, education, and inspiration for future and practising barristers’. Blessing has amassed a considerable Instagram following, with relatable, but polished content containing a mix of promotion and the sharing of helpful information for aspiring barristers. Her page also functions as a means of exposure for her other endeavours.

Simranjeet Kaur Mann

With most lawfluencers, each social media platform serves as a pipeline into the others; in Blessing’s case, her Instagram links through to her LinkedIn profile and her website, which sells educational resources and offers one-to-one and group coaching sessions for aspiring barristers, in addition to hosting its own online study school platform. Blessing’s LinkedIn bio, lists her as an ‘advocate for ambitious women from minority backgrounds’, referencing another key aspect of the influencing phenomenon: advocacy and representation.

is a brand & marketing specialist at Aspiring Solicitors, specialising in Insolvency, Real Estate, IP Litigation, and Commercial law. She is also a YouTuber who lists herself as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion champion and references her Punjabi/Sikh background in her videos. As with most influencers, all Simranjeet’s platforms are interconnected so the net of influence is spread wide and will funnel engagement across her online brand. She has a large following spread across LinkedIn, Instagram, her own website containing free resources for aspiring solicitors, and her primary platform YouTube, where she has amassed fifteen thousand subscribers through sharing her ‘insights and advice on law, careers, personal development and current affairs’. Simranjeet’s content is a mix of the personal and professional with a quintessentially Gen Z aesthetic — refined but somewhat playful and relatable. Her videos include a range of styles and topics with vlogs, Q&As, and practical advice videos such as, ‘Want to be a lawfluencer WATCH THIS!’ and ‘How to decide which practice area to go into’ and personal insights like, ‘How I met my husband’.

The personal/professional harmony Simranjeet establishes with her social media presence is demonstrative of the candid, open, and not overly curated online profile, preferred by younger audiences.

Lucy Cole

Another lawfluencer who has similarly managed to marry these the two aspects of professionalism and relatability, is Lucy Cole, a trainee solicitor in Tech & Digital at Clifford Chance. Lucy is active on Linkedin in a xxx way while on Instagram, she has a following of fourteen-thousand and posts a stylistic mix of personal ‘day in the life of…’ content and tips for up-andcoming solicitors. She also has an active TikTok profile where she posts vlogs that are in keeping with her honest, personal, and insightful content style. Interestingly, Lucy has a certain prominence in traditional media too, where she has featured in articles in The Financial Times among other outlets, which grants her an access point to a cross-generational demographic. Lucy is also the COO and a trustee of ‘GROW Mentoring’, a UK-based charity with its own engaging and welcoming online presence. The charity supports lawyers from diverse backgrounds, offering one-toone mentoring, hosts events, and seeks to address the issue of intersectionality within the legal sector.

Christina Blacklaws

Christina Blacklaws, former President of The Law Society of England and Wales, now an author, speaker, lecturer and media commentator, divides her online presence mostly between LinkedIn and her own website. Her online presentation is sophisticated and professional, and while she is not especially active on new media platforms, one could argue a more cultivated online presence is befitting of her prestige. Nonetheless, she is very much abreast of cyberspace’s nuances, as displayed by her recent TedX talk on: ‘Bias in our society and how this could be hardwired into our future decision making through algorithmic bias’. Christina’s LinkedIn bio lists her as a ‘visionary campaigner and advocate for innovation, diversity and inclusion and access to justice’, once again indicating how many lawfluencers use their profile to champion causes important to them. In Christina’s case, advocating for diversity and inclusion has been a long-held, principled endeavour and on the website for her consultancy firm, Blacklaws Consulting, she puts her principles into action by offering ‘assistance with implementing transformational change and providing D&I support’ to businesses and organisations.

Why be a lawfluencer?

The answer to this question is as bespoke as each lawfluencer’s branding, however, certain perennial patterns exist. All the influencers we have listed here have full-time jobs so promotion through social media is not necessarily a route to income but may be a route to recognition and status within the profession. For some it ensures that their CV stands out from the crowd and increases the chances of a job or contract. It’s also a modern form of networking so that the range of people you are in touch with is unbelievably wide compared to what could be achieved through attending networking events. Of course, for non-law influencers, it is usual to accept payment from a company in return for their promotion of a product or simply the company, or to accept adverts. For lawyers, this is not always straight-forward as there are regulatory constraints.

Making the somewhat opaque, even elitist, arena of Law more accessible seems to be of great importance to many lawfluencers and this message resonates with their audiences, as evidenced by their levels of engagement. Social media has enabled the amplification of voices within the law sector that may have been traditionally either suppressed or underrepresented. Many lawfluencers offer their unique lived experiences as a way to educate both the public and other legal professionals on the barriers and difficulties they may have faced in career progression due to their background, whether that encompasses characteristics of gender, race, class or sexual orientation.

This championing of social issues and the representation from intersectional backgrounds is inarguably a worthwhile cause. It serves to democratise the legal space and highlights the biases which exist within it. This advocacy is in a sense implicit through the virtue of presence alone; if the voices of those from backgrounds which have previously been underrepresented are uplifted then that in itself is indicative of broadening diversity and visibility within the field.

What is clear from the lawfluencers’ profiles is that a balance between authenticity (specifically an element of relatability or demystification) and professionalism is integral to their success. Each individual invokes their own blend of these ingredients, but whatever form this hybridisation takes, judicious thought is required regarding the juggling of ethical or professional responsibilities with the necessity of networking via the maintenance of an active online presence.■

David Smith Researcher

Who Owns and Controls Your Law Firm's Data?

Law firms increasingly rely on technology to streamline their operations in the modern digital age. Legal software solutions have become indispensable, from case management to billing and time tracking. However, a fundamental question often needs to be addressed: who owns the data entered into these systems, and how easily can it be moved elsewhere?

Understanding the Data Ownership

Data ownership refers to legal rights and control over digital datasets. For law firms, this includes client information, case notes, billing records, and confidential strategies. Clear data ownership is essential due to ethical obligations. However, third-party legal software can complicate this, risking data loss, breaches, or legal disputes. Transparent contracts defining data ownership are crucial to protect the firm's interests and client confidentiality.

Significance of Data Portability

Data portability—seamlessly transferring data from one system to another—intersects with data ownership. For law firms, data portability holds immense value due to various reasons:

• Flexibility: As law firms evolve or their needs change, switching to a more suitable software solution should be effortless, and data portability ensures just that.

• Security and Backups: Exporting data empowers firms to create independent backups, enhancing data security and protecting against potential loss or breaches.

• Regulatory Compliance: In certain jurisdictions, individuals can access or transfer personal data between service providers. Law firms must ensure their software providers facilitate compliance with such regulations.

Bigger Picture: Asking the Right Questions

When engaging software providers in discussions about data management, law firms must scrutinise responses diligently. Law firms can effectively safeguard their interests and client confidentiality by understanding the subtleties within the provider's answers. Here are the key queries to pose regarding data ownership and portability:

• Ownership of Data: Providers must acknowledge that the law firm retains ownership of all data entered.

• Data Retrieval Upon Termination: Ensure contracts guarantee a simple and complete data retrieval process post-termination. Data Export Options: Seek responses offering standard, open-format data export options for system compatibility.

• Export Costs: Watch for high fees or complex pricing hindering data portability rights.

• Data Transfer Security: Providers should show data protection measures, encryption, and secure transfer protocols.

Take control of your law firm's data with Clio, the #1 choice for honest, transparent legal tech. Book a personalised product walkthrough with our Clio experts and see how Clio can improve your data management. Visit Clio.com/uk to learn more. ■

Alicia Fernández Fontalba talks to Legal Women UK about qualifying as a Notary Public in England and Wales

As someone from Spain where Notaries have a fundamental role in people’s lives, I was surprised that most people in England and Wales don’t know what a Notary is. However, the role of notaries in England and Wales is very restricted and there are only around 800 Notaries, one of the smallest branches of the legal profession.

In Spain (and other civil law countries), people see a Notary whenever they get a mortgage, buy or sell their home, get married, or prepare their will. In England and Wales, this is all within the realm of solicitors’ work.

What is a Notary Public?

In very simple terms, their function is primarily the preparation of documents destined for abroad. A Notary Public is a specialist lawyer who holds an internationally recognised public office and is authorised to authenticate documents for use in other countries. This means that after a document has been notarised, it will be accepted and legally recognised abroad.

Examples of documents that require notarisation are powers of attorney, copies of identification documents, company documents such as board minutes, and affidavits. As part of the process, the Notary will need to verify the identity, capacity and authority of the person appearing before them and will prepare a notarial certificate to which they will add their signature and affix their seal.

My decision to become a Notary Public

I studied comparative law at university and although I knew I wanted to qualify as a solicitor in England & Wales, I also wanted to be exposed to a worldwide profession where I would be dealing with foreign jurisdictions on a regular basis and I could use my two other languages, Spanish and French.

After the LPC, I worked in Paris for a few months as a paralegal and this involved getting documents notarised by a French Notaire, much like the work in Spain. This sparked my interest, and I decided to study to become a Notary Public in England and Wales, alongside completing my training contract in London.

The path to becoming a Notary Public

There are three stages to qualifying as a Notary Public: Academic Training, Professional Training and Appointment.

Having completed an LLB and the LPC, I was exempt from the Academic Training stage, which ensures you have studied and are competent in the main subjects of English law. If the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the Notarial Regulator) considers that there are any gaps in your knowledge in any of these subjects, you will be able to complete CILEX courses to satisfy this first Academic Training requirement.

As I had a Certificate of Exemption I commenced the Professional Training requirement by enrolling at University College London (UCL), which is currently the only provider for the Notarial Practice Course. It is a two-year part-time online course with three subjects: Roman Law and Private International Law in the first year, and Notarial Practice in the second year.

The Notarial Practice Course

The course is designed for people who are in full-time practice and grants you sufficient flexibility to organise your study timetable as you wish. The course is entirely online, apart from a few workshops that take place in the UCL Faculty of Laws.

My experience of working full-time and studying part-time was positive, and my best advice to anybody thinking of embarking upon this journey is to allocate a few hours every week for studying and keep on top of the material which is released every week as part of the course.

Once you have finished the Notarial Practice Course, the last requirement is “Appointment” (I am yet to be appointed). Once you have been appointed as a Notary Public, you can begin practising under the supervision of an experienced Notary and creating notarial certificates which will travel around the world.

Practising as a Notary Public

If you are thinking about whether this is a suitable career path for you, the following points are worthy of consideration.

Although big cities like London have Notary Firms, most Notaries set up independently and run their own practice. This is particularly the case if you are also working full-time as a solicitor. In many towns, there may only be one or two Notaries, or perhaps none, giving you a huge advantage in a highly competitive legal market.

The main advantage of the profession is that you get to decide how you want to practise. Do you want to be a full-time Notary? Do you want to do notarial work alongside your solicitor work? Do you want to work alone? Or be part of a firm of Notaries? It’s completely up to you!

Further factors to consider are that being a Notary Public allows you to offer a potential employer the benefit of attracting additional clients to their practice, and it will also provide you with an additional source of income.

Finally, notarial appointments in England and Wales are for life, unlike some other jurisdictions. This means that if you decide to go ahead with the Notarial Practice Course and become a qualified Notary Public in England & Wales, you will have this qualification with you forever. ■

Alicia Fernández Fontalba Trainee Solicitor, Notarial Practice Course Graduate

Inside the World of Legal Journalism

Christianah Babajide, a legal journalist and Editor of The Student Lawyer explains to Legal Women how she started her career in writing and sets out top tips for those interested in a similar path.

What led you to pursue a career in legal journalism, and what attracted you to this unique intersection of law and media?

I’ve always loved writing—it’s just how I process my thoughts and make sense of the world. When I was little, I wrote stories, and my Dad even helped me turn them into a “book.” Later, after moving to the UK at the age of six, I entered a national competition and had some poems published, which made me realise the power of words.

During my law degree at City, University of London, I got involved with City’s Future Lawyer blog, interned at Legal Cheek and wrote blogs for LawCareers.Net; this sparked my interest in writing about the law. Legal journalism has given me a way to stay connected to the legal field without practising, and I get to help aspiring lawyers understand complex topics in a way that’s relatable and useful. It’s a bit like being on the other side of the legal news I used to read as a student!

The Role of a Legal Journalist

Just start writing. Get your thoughts out there, whether it’s through a blog or articles on topics you care about. Once you’ve got that foundation, you can start pitching to established publications. The more you write, the more you’ll find your voice—and that’s what people will remember you for.

Tips and Advice

What skills do you think are essential to succeed in this field, and how can aspiring legal journalists develop them?

"Just start writing. Get your thoughts out there"

Could you share what your role as a legal journalist entails? How does your work contribute to the broader legal profession?

My work is a mix of editing, writing, and interviewing. As Editor for The Student Lawyer’s Diversity and Inclusion team, I manage a group of 20 law students from around the world. This includes brainstorming article ideas, coordinating writing schedules, editing their work, and publishing it. I also interview key figures in the legal community, with a particular focus on shining a light on Black lawyers and amplifying the stories of those who might otherwise go unheard. It’s incredibly rewarding to amplify these voices and contribute to a more inclusive legal profession. Aside from my role at The Student Lawyer, I also freelance for platforms including Legal Cheek, The Lawyer, Law360, LexisNexis and The Bar Council.

Career Progression

To succeed as a legal journalist, a mix of solid writing skills, critical thinking, and meticulous attention to detail is essential. Practising regularly and reading widely are invaluable, but equally important is being open to feedback. Feedback is vital in helping you grow as a writer, as it offers fresh perspectives and highlights areas of improvement. It’s easy to become attached to your work, but constructive criticism helps refine your voice, clarify your arguments, and make your writing more impactful. Learning to accept and act on feedback not only makes you a better writer but also teaches you how to adapt your style to different audiences and publication standards.

Having a legal background (or at least understanding the basics) is also helpful because it allows you to explain complex issues clearly and confidently – bridging the gap between law and everyday understanding.

"Feedback is vital in helping you grow as a writer"

How has your role evolved over the years, and what opportunities for growth have you encountered in the field of legal journalism?

My role has grown in ways I didn’t expect. Moving into editing has been a big change—now I’m not just writing but helping others develop their voices. Working with writers to shape an article is so satisfying, especially when we finally land on something that feels just right.

What advice would you give to those looking to develop a career in legal journalism?

Any practical tips for networking within the legal industry or for breaking into prominent publications?

Don’t be shy about reaching out! Attend events, join LinkedIn groups, and connect with editors who work in legal journalism. When pitching, tailor your ideas to fit the publication and be clear on how your piece will add value. And don’t get discouraged—every “no” gets you closer to a “yes,” and each connection you make will help you down the road.

As Sylvia Plath puts it, “Everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

Making Connections – Client-Facing Opportunities

In your experience, how important is it to maintain connections within the legal industry?

It’s huge! Law is so relationship-driven—it really is about who you know as much as what you know. Building and maintaining those connections can open doors, keep you informed, and help you find new opportunities, whether that’s in journalism or other areas in the legal field. ■

MORTGAGE RECEIVERSHIP

Law and Practice

Second

Edition WILDY, SIMMONDS & HILL PUBLISHING

By Stephanie Tozer KC, Cecily Crampin and Tricia Hemans

THE ROLE OF RECEIVERS APPOINTED OUT OF COURT: NOW IN A SECOND EDITION FOR 2024

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator

The second edition of this authoritative title on mortgage receivership has been written by Stephanie Tozer KC, Cecily Crampin and Tricia Hemans. The writers’ objective it to extend “the cohesive theory of mortgage receivership developed in the first edition through reference to recent cases, whilst maintaining its focus on providing practical guidance to the relevant law and procedure”.

The work is limited to the scope of receivers appointed by mortgagees out of court. “one of the difficulties in giving advice in this area”, they write, “is in trying to work out whether a decision in a particular case as to the powers and duties of a different type of receiver also applies to the specific case of a receiver appointed by a mortgagee out of court”. The point throughout is that these receivers are “deemed to be the agent of the mortgagor”, so there is considerable scope for misunderstanding which is why this work is so helpful.

Legal advisers will find the expertise offered here brilliant for “the powers and duties of a receiver depend critically on what type of receiver one is dealing with.” The book shows that “receivers are certainly not all the same”, so the publishers, Wildy, Simmonds and Hill, have asked the authors to thoroughly update this excellent work for 2024.

It remains a great book for practitioners offering references to over 40 new cases, the book deals with a number of issues which have arisen since 2018, namely considering in detail the difficult issue of the effect of the receivership on the borrower’s powers and the borrower’s ability to exercise those powers, in the context of Ghai v Maymask [2020]. In addition, there is an updated possession chapter by reference to Menon v Pask [2019] and discussion on the extent behind the reasoning in that decision, and how it can be extended.

We also get a new section on statutory bars to receivership including an overview of the effect of sanctions; a revised chapter on regulation by reference to a number of cases decided; and an update to discuss new property statutes and their relevance to receivership in relation to ground rents under residential leases, registration of overseas entities, and the Building Safety Act 2022.

What we found most useful was the practical advice about what receivers should do in particular situations and how litigation involving receivers should be conducted – Wildy have done us proud here. The book is essential reading for lawyers advising receivers, or who are involved in litigation for or against receivers, and for receivers themselves. ■

THE LAW OF RIGHTS OF LIGHT

Law and Practice

Second Edition WILDY, SIMMONDS & HILL PUBLISHING

By Jonathan Karas KC

MOST HELPFUL PRACTICAL

ADVICE IN RIGHTS OF LIGHT CASES FOR 2024

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator

Jonathan Karas KC has established “The Law of Rights of Light” from Wildy, Simmonds and Hill Publishing, as the leading specialist textbook in the field of rights of light and it is used by practitioners, whether barristers, solicitors, or surveyors for both advice and potential litigation.

The new edition has been fully revised and brought up to date to include recent developments in the law such as section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, Beaumont Business Centres Ltd v Florala Properties Ltd [2020] and Fearn v The Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery [2023]. It goes without saying that commentaries on the new case law are invaluable for practitioners in this difficult area.

Karas considers how rights can be established, what constitutes an infringement of those rights and what remedies can be provided for the infringement of those rights. The book is useful for both those who are relatively new to this area of land law, and to more experienced lawyers and to unrepresented parties seeking a remedy.

The author sets out how claims may be defended and how rights can be overridden using the mechanism under section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016. By setting the law in its wider context, “The Law of Rights of Light” comprehensively shows that, despite the technicalities which arise, “there are no legal problems with which a competent lawyer cannot grapple”. And that sums up the beauty of this publication and many others in the Wildy handbook series.

We were particularly impressed with the advice from the two illustrated technical appendices by Point 2 Surveyors which are, in our view, invaluable, for practitioners when trying to understand the heavier issues in right to light litigation. The first appendix explains how light is measured; and the second appendix sets out how losses are valued. Both appendices also explain the limits of current methodology which we believe will be of great use to the specialist courts who hear these cases.

The new, second edition has been described as “an essential addition to the shelves of lawyers, surveyors and other property professionals”. It is a comment we fully endorse as the book has wide appeal for students and unrepresented parties wishing to gain a better understanding of this serious (and expensive) area of conflict in English Land Law. ■

THE DRINK- AND DRUG-DRIVE OFFENCES -

A Handbook for Practitioners

Third Edition

WILDY, SIMMONDS & HILL PUBLISHING

By P M Callow

AN IMPORTANT UPDATED STATEMENT FOR CRIMINAL PRACTITIONERS IN THIS DEVELOPING AREA OF OFFENDING IN 2024

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator

The purpose of this book is to bring together the statutory provisions and the case law on the drink- and drug-drive offences. Wildy, Simmonds and Hill offer us advice in an accessible, practical way which author P M Callow describes as “elucidating issues which are often surprisingly difficult”.

The second edition of this handbook was published and updated in 2018 and has been further updated for 2024. The drug-driving offences have come into their own at this time, with the book adopting “a neutral standpoint” between the various interests of the police, prosecution or defence. These offences, originally introduced in 2015, now account for almost as many convictions as excess alcohol offences do. The conviction rate for both groups of offences continues to be extremely high, at approximately 95%.

The new third edition “takes account of some forty judgments of the appellate courts since the publication of the second edition”. As the author says, “the recent challenges to the drink- and drug- driving regimes have taken on a somewhat different character from before”. So, whilst the interpretation of the statutory road traffic provisions continues to be developed in our case law, other issues are coming to the fore with new cases.

Precedent on the circumstances in which judicial review is appropriate has also been drawn together. The line of developing cases often features contested decisions on adjournments which can be crucial for the development of a case. Common issues reviewed are lack of diligence in preparation for trial and/or failure by the court below properly to scrutinise the application for adjournment. In fact, all the usual problems practitioners face are covered here.

“Appeal courts”, says Callow, “have remained constant in insisting on “rigorous scrutiny” of requests for adjournments and have robustly applied the Criminal Procedure Rules (Crim PR) aimed at avoiding delay”. Delay being one of the biggest difficulties the court system currently faces in the middle of 2024.

In addition, judicial review has been increasingly used to challenge decisions of the lower courts; the case law on the circumstances in which this route is appropriate has been drawn together. The third edition offers commentary on the difficult cases of DPP v Carless [2005] and R v Coe [2009]. Both have been reviewed to emphasise that neither case sets a precedent for the admission in evidence of the analysis of blood specimens taken outside the regime of the 1988 Act.

It is right to say that this work remains a practical and accessible book. The author is always glad to hear from readers who have any comments to make or suggestions to offer concerning the content of the book. As with all Wildy books, this one goes to the heart of our practice is an invaluable addition to your law library. ■

Optimising Law Firm Efficiency and Profitability with AI and Automated time recording

The legal industry has traditionally been resistant to change, but the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) presents an undeniable opportunity to enhance efficiency and profitability for law firms. At a time when competition is fierce, the ability to deliver high-quality services while controlling costs is key. AI, when integrated effectively, allows law firms to meet these challenges head-on, offering tools that streamline operations and provide more value to both lawyers and their clients.

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 shift not only improves operational efficiency but also provides an opportunity for legal professionals to enhance their skill sets. Lawyers can now focus on strategic, high-level work, thereby creating more value for clients while increasing their own billing potential. However, AI is not a replacement for human judgment. It acts as a powerful complement, augmenting the lawyer's role rather than diminishing it. To this end, law firms must embrace the idea that AI will redefine—not replace—how legal services are delivered.

Driving Efficiency Through Cloud Technology

To fully leverage AI, law firms must ensure that their internal infrastructure can support these innovations. Many law firms have already migrated their practice management systems to the cloud, where centralised data storage offers a perfect environment for AI applications to thrive. With access to a vast array of client information, case documents, and workflow data, AI can efficiently analyse and process large volumes of information, driving both innovation and operational improvements.

For those law firms that continue to rely on disconnected databases or outdated systems, the potential for AI-driven efficiencies is significantly reduced. If client and matter information is not organised and centralised, AI tools struggle to function effectively. The solution is to create cloud based practice management systems, ensuring that data is accessible, secure, and can be utilised effectively to improve both firm efficiency and client outcomes.

Increasing Billable Hours with Automated time recording

Another important technological development available to law firms is the ability to improve billing accuracy through automated time recording. Traditionally, time recording has been a manual process which can be prone to human error, leading to under-billing and revenue loss. Now, lawyers can track their billable hours more precisely. With powerful tools that automatically record and assign time to specific legal tasks, ensuring that no billable work goes

unrecorded. This improved accuracy not only enhances profitability but also alleviates the administrative burden on fee earners, allowing them to focus on more meaningful client interactions.

Such leading-edge technology provides a game-changing opportunity for law firms to optimise staff output, streamline operations, and drive profitability. Those firms that have put themselves in a place whereby they can embrace such technology, particularly by ensuring their data infrastructure is AI-ready, will be well-positioned to lead the way in the evolving legal landscape.

About LEAP

LEAP Legal Software has been helping law firms to become more efficient and profitable globally for more than 25 years. LEAP is committed to consistently providing world-class legal practice productivity solutions and has innovation at the heart of its research and development so that users continually have the best possible experience.

Dedicated to delivering cutting-edge and intelligent legal software solutions, LEAP’s team of specialist developers present innovative AI solutions that automate routine tasks, simplify document management, and enhance decisionmaking, allowing lawyers to do what they do best — practise law.

For more information, please visit www.leap.co.uk ■

By Gareth Walker CEO, Leap UK

Prompts

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