ACCELERATE ACTION FOR EQUALITY!

It has been more than 100 years since Carrie Morrison became the first woman solicitor admitted to England and Wales and since Eliza Orme became the first woman in the United Kingdom to obtain a law degree after the passage of the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act. Since then, women in the UK have continued to break barriers and rise above the many obstacles within the legal profession. In 2003, Dame Linda Dobbs DBE became the first non-white High Court judge in the UK. In 2017, Brenda Marjorie Hale, Lady Hale of Richmond, DBE, became the first woman Justice of the Supreme Court. Most recently, Georgia Dawson became the first woman senior partner at the Magic Circle law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), more women than ever are entering the legal profession. For example, the proportion of women in law firms rose from 48% to 53% in 2023. However, despite this progress, significant barriers still prevent the entry and advancement of women in law. As we celebrate the achievements and contributions of the women who have left an indelible mark on the legal profession, this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action, serves as a stark reminder of the work that remains to achieve gender parity in law.

The Challenges for Women in Law

While the prospects for women in law have undoubtedly improved over the past century, women in the legal sector still face unique challenges.

The Seniority Gap: The Law Society reports that women represent more than 60% of new entrant solicitors. Despite this, a significant seniority gap persists. According to SRA research, only 32% of full-equity partners (the most senior levels in law firms) are women, and only 47% of salaried partners are women.

Unconscious Bias: Unconscious bias occurs when implicit personal opinions or stereotypes influence decision-making and judgment, resulting in unfair treatment or discrimination. The prevalence of unconscious bias remains a major barrier to the advancement of women in law. In the Law Society’s 2017–2018 global survey, unconscious bias was the most commonly cited reason for the lack of women in senior legal positions.

These challenges represent just some of the most glaring obstacles that women in law continue to face.

Our Clarion Call: Accelerate Action

The ultimate question for us all: How do we accelerate action? Here are some ways we can help drive change for women in law.

Mentorship: Mentorship provides a crucial opportunity for women in law to further their careers and development. Nurturing emerging talent will be pivotal as we strive to create a better future for women in the legal profession. At The BAME Woman in Law, we offer mentorship programmes targeted at Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women residing in England and Wales who are studying or working in law.

Visibility, Accountability, and Reform: Accelerating action and cultivating long-lasting, sustainable change in the legal profession will require policy reforms and cultural shifts that challenge existing norms. There have already been strides toward accountability and reform within the legal sector. For example, the Law Society launched the Women in Law Pledge in partnership with the Bar Council of England and Wales and The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Education: Listening to and learning from the experiences of women in the legal sector is essential if we aim to challenge norms and foster cultural shifts that support the advancement of women in law. This International Women's Day, why not explore the First 100 Years Project Digital Museum?

Now that we know what we can do, let’s answer the clarion call to accelerate action! Be encouraged that, as we continue on the path toward gender parity, the challenges we face serve as motivation to propel us faster toward progress—progress that will transform the future of women in law forever.