3 minute read
COMMITTE NEWS EDI COMMITTEE UPDATE
The summer has been a period of planning and consolidation but also a lot of action on the part of the subcommittees.
The Social Mobility committee and in particular Sharon Thandi, have been organising the Diversity and Inclusion award which has enabled three students gain valuable work experience and mentoring with Higgs LLP and Gateley Legal. Two of the successful students were also awarded full fee scholarships for a SQE prep course and the LPC from the College of Legal Practice and the University of Law respectively, to whom we are very grateful. This is an award that makes a substantial difference to students seeking to qualify as solicitors in Birmingham and we look forward to watching the careers of both winners, Polina Krivoshejeva and Josh Mahay as they go forward.
On 21st September, Rebecca Mander and I ran a second panel event on the ‘Retention of Women in Law- having a voice and getting involved’, as part of the President’s EDI initiatives and the gender subcommittee. This time we focused on a more junior level in the profession. Sharon Thandi, Alice Kinder, Marissa Jacquet and Victoria Zinzan all contributed to a thoughtprovoking discussion. The panel were able to answer some questions from the audience both live and in the chat, but the real value was in the honesty of the discussions about the challenges of more junior women in the legal profession. We discussed their commitment and passion for change and the difference they are making whilst still relatively junior lawyers in different practice areas. Many of us came away hugely inspired by the speakers. This will form part of a series of ongoing events and I would welcome feedback on future themes. A few comments indicated imposter phenomenon would be useful, and Rebecca is keen to assist in this session; drawing upon the wealth of her expertise on this topic.
On 19th October at 5.30pm we are holding a panel event on Neurodiversity- Realism with Optimism at 3PB. This is a collaboration between the BTSS and the Health and Disability subcommittee of our EDI committee run by Ruth Duffy and Iyanu Onalaja. Featuring Chrissie Wolfe former solicitor and self proclaimed ‘legal geek’, also Rebecca Keeves of Cornwall Street and Jessica Brickley (Chair of Pinsent Masons Neurodiversity Network) this promises to be another inspirational and practically focused event. Book hereBook Event – Birmingham Law Society. One Profession. One Region. One Voice Tickets are going fast so do sign up quickly.
I am excited to be welcoming new members to both the main EDI committee and also our newly reformed Gender subcommittee. More news on that to follow.
