18 December 2022 marks the centenary of Carrie Morrison, to be admitted to the Law Society as a solicitor. She was 34 when she completed her articles. Maud Crofts, Mary Pickup and Mary Sykes followed close behind her.
More women than ever have, since that date, entered the legal profession. Of all current practising solicitors over half, 53%, are women.
Despite this incredible progress there is much to be done. During my 30 years as a practising solicitor, I have seen many positive changes in the profession. However, women continue to face a significant gender pay gap. Pay parity has not been achieved. Women are still very much under represented at the top of our profession. We will all achieve equality, undoubtedly, but not without a loss of many of our female colleagues who experience lack of progress in the workplace or feel they have no alternative but to leave the profession altogether.
Let us build on this milestone. Earlier this year the Law Society, in partnership with the Bar Council of England and Wales, launched the Women In Law pledge. This focussed on equality. Dorset Law Society are committed to creating a more equal legal profession for all and encourage all legal service providers, in-house teams and individuals to sign up. It encourages the setting of high targets in the workplace to make a difference for gender equality. Guidance and further information on how to do this, and the Pledge, can be found in the links below.
Further reading:
- Trailblazing solicitors: the women who broke the barrier | The Law Society
- About the Women Solicitors Network | The Law Society
- Women in Law Pledge | The Law Society
Author: Lisa Pharaoh, Vice President of the Dorset Law Society