What makes a great leader in law? Not what you’ve been told
Over the past few months, I’ve been working on something very close to my heart, and it’s now finished and ready for publication.
I’ve written a chapter for the upcoming second edition of Beyond Bias: Unleashing the Potential of Women in Law, a book that brings together leading voices in the legal profession to explore what still holds women back, and how we move forward.
What’s Really Holding Women Back in Law?
Why do so many talented women feel they don’t belong in leadership – or end up stepping away from the legal profession altogether?
That’s the question Claire Rason – former corporate lawyer and founder of coaching consultancy Client Talk – found herself wrestling with years after leaving her role as a solicitor. Sparked by personal reflection, coaching conversations, and a quiet “what if?” Claire began a ground-breaking project to explore whether she would have made partner had she stayed in law.
Meeting the Beyoncé of the Legal World
As Lady Hale (the former president of the Supreme Court herself) pointed out, we now have a Lady Chief Justice, Sue Carr. Yes, the most senior judge in England and Wales is a woman. Not called David but she did go to Cambridge. Being the first woman to head up the judiciary since the inception of the role in the 13th century is no small feat.
Also - doesn’t the fact that I can work mainly from home as a solicitor whilst being able to do all these other things show how far we’ve come? I no longer have to choose.