International Women’s Day 2021

Over the last few years, Fiona Bruce Solicitors have taken the opportunity to acknowledge International Women’s Day on the 8th March. 

For International Women’s Day 2021, the theme is #choosetochallenge. The IWD website describes this as including that “we can all seek out and celebrate women’s achievements.” 

In a year which has, in many ways, been unremarkable we believe that there are still many achievements which can be celebrated. Amongst other things, several members of the team have taken significant steps in their career journey, including: – 

• Paralegal, Sophie O’Kelly, joins the firm in Spring 2020 and in the autumn of the same year embarks on the Legal Practice Course to pursue her ambition of becoming a solicitor

• Anna Barfield joins the firm as a Trainee Solicitor in September, beginning her Training Contract in the Litigation department

• Solicitor, Jessica Etheridge, becomes accredited as an affiliate member of STEP and has begun studying for the STEP diploma in Trusts and Estates

Looking beyond our firm, there have been some other notable stories relating to women working in law or becoming involved, one way or another, with the legal system.

A legislative change is being introduced, currently under ‘The Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill’ which will, amongst other things, allow the current Attorney General Suella Braverman to take maternity leave rather than having to resign from her role. 

The latest edition of The Equal Treatment Bench Book published in February 2021 includes guidance to the Judiciary (of which Women make up only 32% of the court judges) as to how symptoms of menopause may affect women. In addition, guidance was given on how the courtroom environment may be adapted to help women going through menopause. Examples given were to increase ventilation, facilitate frequent breaks and have cold water available. 

The first female head of a ‘magic circle’ law firm is appointed with Georgina Dawson taking the role of Senior Partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. 

While the challenges of the last year cannot be underestimated, we are pleased to see that there continues to be positive steps taken for women both in law and in our wider society. 

To find out more about International Women’s Day, visit their website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ 

The contents of this article do not constitute legal advice and are provided for general information purposes only.