INCOMING PRESIDENT’S LETTER

I am delighted to be writing to you as the new President of the Birmingham Law Society.

If you had told me when I began my legal journey 12 years ago that at the age of 31, I would be here today, I would probably have laughed at you.

As somebody who started out with no understanding of higher education, no legal work experience, no professional connections, and no idea what a training contract even was, it was definitely not a given that I would even make it into the legal profession, let alone go on to take on this role.

My earliest interactions in the legal world were very much as an outsider. I turned up to my first networking event in a Magic Circle law firm in jeans – because somebody somewhere assumed everyone would know that “smart casual” actually meant smart rather than casual. It was several months into my training before I realised that the purpose of the weekly team meeting was for people to communicate how busy they were and not just to talk about the exciting cases on their desk.

When I reached qualification, I knew that I wanted to make a difference. I decided to become an employment lawyer because I wanted to help make workplaces the best they can be. I made a commitment to being involved in Birmingham Law Society, because I felt it was important to give back to the legal community that had provided a home to me. Over time, I have found my voice and built a support network that has empowered me to use it. But the perspective that I gained from starting as an outsider has stayed with me. It has led me to question things that many people have taken for granted, to be willing to challenge the status quo, and to aspire not just to become the President of the Birmingham Law Society, but to become the youngest President of the Birmingham Law Society.

Getting to this position has by no means been easy. In a profession known for its established practices, it is never going to be easy to carve out a path that has not been taken before. But for others to follow, someone has to go first. And I hope that by going first, those that come after me will never need to doubt that their goals are possible.

The legal profession is one of the most historic institutions in human civilisation. Its roots trace back through centuries of tradition, and it has long represented the centre of justice. But in its remarkable journey through time, the legal profession has continually evolved to meet the everchanging needs of society. And with this evolution comes a fundamental message – that to remain true to its core principles and ideals, the legal profession must adapt with the times. We must embrace new developments, promote diversity and inclusion, and expand our horizons. In other words, if we want to stay the same, we have to accept change.

In the 12 years since I began law school, the legal profession has come a long way. There has been a steady acknowledgement that we need to do more to increase the diversity of our profession, both at entry level and as we progress. We have seen the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination with that goal in mind. We have branched out from the traditional corporate ladder and seen the growth of legal apprenticeships and challenger law firms. Flexible and hybrid working have become default options and legal technology is forever refining our practice.

In the last 12 years, Birmingham Law Society has also evolved. We have had five out of our eight female Presidents, our first black female President and our first non-lawyer

President. We now have 9,000 members from varying practice areas and levels. We have reviewed our governance and membership structure to ensure that we can continue to represent the community that we serve. We too have shown that we need to keep moving forward.

During my presidency, I promise to ensure that Birmingham Law Society serves the interests of its members in the here and now. That we advocate and provide pathways for them, and that we are open to new perspectives where needed. Continuity is important, but so are fresh plans.

With that in mind, I have spent several months considering what I would like my legacy to be. I have found that I can sum up my fundamental beliefs and values in two words – community and opportunity. “Community” reflects my desire to foster connections, become more integrated within our wider city, and contribute to a stronger and more compassionate society. “Opportunity” represents my unwavering dedication to ensuring that everyone has the same chance to achieve their aspirations, both within the legal profession and within Birmingham Law Society. Community and opportunity will therefore form the themes for my Presidential Year. Through them, I hope to leave a legacy that reflects the power of unity and the boundless potential that lies within each one of us.

When I began to plan my year as President, I had no doubt that my chosen charity would be the Social Mobility Foundation. As many of you will know, social mobility has long been a topic very close to my heart.

The work of the Social Mobility Foundation aims to ensure that talent from all backgrounds is nurtured and rewarded. They run careers programmes to support students from lower socio-economic backgrounds from Year 12 through to starting their first job. They also support employers to become more inclusive in their practices. The more funding they receive, the more people they can help.

So in partnership with my charity, on 17 October, I will be launching the first ever Birmingham Law Society Social Mobility Pledge. I will be joined by Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation, and a fantastic panel of guest speakers, to call every individual and organisation within the Birmingham legal community to make a firm commitment to fostering equal opportunities.

In November, I will be launching the first Birmingham Law Society Vacation Scheme in our member universities. Through a programme of online sessions culminating in an in-person event next year, I hope to enable law students from all backgrounds to develop the skills that will help them to achieve their goals, and to gain meaningful experience to draw upon in their applications.

In January, I will be turning my attention to those who are already in the profession. Those who may be at a crossroads about what they want from their career and what route to take. I will be holding an event to provide practical education about what it takes and what it means to be a partner in a law firm, and the paths that are available for those that want something different.

My aspirations for opportunity do not stop there. Not only do I want to foster greater opportunities to access and progress in the legal profession, but I also want to increase opportunities to get involved in Birmingham Law Society.

In the years since I first became a Council member, Birmingham Law Society has been an integral part of my development. It has given me skills that I would not otherwise have gained until much later on in my career. It has opened doors for me that would have otherwise been closed. But in my view, we need to do more to make these opportunities more accessible so that we can plan for our succession.

Next year, I will be working with some of our newer Council members in an initiative to enable junior lawyers to learn more about how we operate, to develop their leadership skills, and to actively contribute to our future strategy. I will also be launching three brand new categories at the next Legal Awards to ensure we continue to champion the full range of talent that exists within our community.

On the topic of community, my objective is to do more to bring us together and to cement our place in the city. Networking with other lawyers in the city centre is important. It has defined me and where I am today. But it is not the only type of networking that will benefit us. Through closer relationships with the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and the Asian Chamber of Commerce, I will be supporting our members to strengthen their connections within a wider business context. I will be bringing our networking events to the suburbs of Birmingham so that those who may find it difficult to travel to the city centre can still get involved. I will be organising Legal Leaders Roundtables to ensure that we continue to hear from a range of senior voices.

Next summer, I will be hosting the first Birmingham Law Society Sports Day, to enable our members to come together in a different setting and to promote the importance of wellbeing. Whilst our Sports Day will be just for fun, I have set myself a bit more of a challenge. In April, I will be running my first ever marathon in Manchester to raise money for the Social Mobility Foundation. For anyone that wants to take part in a fundraiser, Birmingham Law Society will be taking on the Great Birmingham Run in May.

In getting here, there are many people that I owe a lot to. The University of Birmingham Law School, where my journey began. The fantastic colleagues that I work with at Bexley Beaumont and in the wider Birmingham Law Society team. The staff and students who have crossed my path as a Visiting Lecturer. My friends, family and mentors, who have continually supported me. And most importantly, my partner Trystan, whose love and encouragement empowers me every day.

I want you to remember this moment as not just one in which there has been a change in leadership, but one in which there has been a change in the narrative of our profession. As a moment which shows that the legal world is no longer bound by established norms, but is evolving to be more inclusive, more representative and more reflective of the diverse society that it serves.

I look forward to working with you

Alice Kinder President.