Bristol Legal Awards 2026 -President’s Address

 

Good evening everyone, and welcome to the Bristol Legal Awards.

Before anything else, can we please show our appreciation for the incredible Ministry of Dohl drummers, who have given us such a fantastic start to the evening. Thank you

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported tonight's event. The Bristol Legal Awards simply would not happen without that support, and in particular our headline sponsor, LEAP Legal Software.

There are also a number of people behind the scenes who make evenings like this possible. Thank you to Ceri, to Justin, our sound and vision wizard, and to the fantastic team here at the Delta Marriott.

And of course, thank you to all of our generous prize donors, especially Mark Smith of Titcombe jewelers, who has once again donated a one carat diamond together with £1,000 towards having it mounted.

So when the team come around later, please do buy your raffle tickets.

Tonight is about celebrating excellence, talent and achievement across the Bristol legal sector. But it is also an opportunity to reflect on the strength of our legal community and what we can achieve when we work together.

Serving as President of Bristol Law Society has been an extraordinary privilege.

It has given me the opportunity to represent Bristol across the country, meeting legal professionals from every corner of our profession and seeing first hand the innovation, talent and commitment that exists within the legal sector.

Yet wherever I have gone, I have always come away with the same feeling:

we have something very special here in Bristol.

We are a city with exceptional legal talent, outstanding organisations and a genuine willingness to collaborate.

We celebrate each other's success, support one another through challenges and recognise that our profession is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Bristol is also one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the country. There are 91 different languages spoken across our city, reflecting the many communities, cultures and experiences that make Bristol such a special place to live and work.

Throughout this year, it has been a privilege to celebrate that diversity and support organisations that bring communities together. I am particularly proud that, with the generosity of our members and supporters, we have raised £1,400 for 91 Ways in support of those affected by the Nepal disaster.

It was a wonderful example of Bristol's legal community stepping forward to help others in times of need.

I also had the privilege this year of being invited by the High Sheriff to speak at the Opening of the Legal New Year.

It was a particularly meaningful occasion for me, as I was able to share a few lines from the Prophet Muhammad's final sermon, which was my first lesson as a child in equality, diversity and inclusion -thank you mum & dad!

The message that no person is superior to another because of their race, ethnicity or background, and that we are judged by our character and actions, is one that has stayed with me throughout my life and legal career.

It was an honour to share those words at such an important civic occasion, and my heartfelt thanks go to the High Sheriff, who is with us this evening, for that opportunity and for your support throughout the year.

There is one question I have been asked many times throughout this year - why I wanted to become President of Bristol Law Society.

The answer is simple.

I wanted to be the role model I never had.

Growing up, I did not see people who looked like me in positions of leadership within the legal profession.

And when I started my legal career, many years ago, I was told by a Bristol partner that I would never make it as a solicitor because of the way I dressed and my hijab.

Those words could easily have become a reason to give up.

Instead, they became the reason I kept on going.

So when I became President, it was never about me.

It was about every young person wondering whether they belong in this profession.

It was about every aspiring solicitor who has ever felt different, overlooked or underestimated.

It was about challenging traditional perceptions of what a solicitor should look like.

And here we are- it has been an incredible privilege to serve as the first Muslim President in Bristol Law Society's 255 year history.

I see my presidency as a reflection of Bristol itself.

It is a testament to the kind of legal community we have here in Bristol.

A community that is welcoming, forward thinking and increasingly representative of the society we serve.

The fact that someone who was once told she would never make it as a solicitor because of how she looked and her hijab could then go on to become President says as much about Bristol Law Society as it does about me.

I hope it reflects what Bristol stands for:

opportunity, inclusion and a belief that talent and leadership come in many different forms.

And I hope because of this there is a young person who can now look at our profession differently and think:

"If she can do it, perhaps I can too."

Because that is what progress looks like.

Not simply opening doors for ourselves, but ensuring those who come after us can walk through them more easily than we did.

 

One of the themes I have championed throughout my presidency has been social mobility.

Many of us have heard the saying - talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.

That is why I am particularly proud of the Bristol Law Society Scholarship Programme.

What began in Stuart Henry's year and continued through Coralie's presidency -  has continued to grow.

Through our partnership with the College of Legal Practice and funding secured through the SRA Reinvestment Fund, we have supported seven aspiring solicitors through legal training and SQE examinations.

Five of those scholars are due to sit SQE1 in January 2027, and I know everyone here will join me in wishing them the very best of luck.

I am especially delighted to share that our first exam funded scholar has now successfully passed both SQE1 and SQE2.

The funding has now been fully utilised, but our commitment to social mobility certainly has not. We are already exploring how Bristol's legal sector can continue supporting talented aspiring solicitors in the future.

Another highlight this year was the launch of our Social Mobility Conference.

Seeing so many firms and individuals engage with such enthusiasm demonstrated just how important these conversations are. I am delighted that this work will continue through the establishment of our Social Mobility Committee, which will officially launch in February 2027. If you or your organisation would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you.

This year we have also been proud to support the All Rise programme, delivering workshops for Year 6 pupils in schools with high levels of pupil premium funding.

My thanks go to Osborne Clarke, Bevan Brittan, Unity Street Chambers, St John's Chambers, Freeths and TLT for supporting this initiative, and to the additional firms looking to become involved in the future.

Because if we are truly serious about social mobility, that journey cannot start when somebody applies for a training contract or apprenticeship. It starts much earlier, by helping young people believe they belong.

Another important focus this year has been the future of our profession.

At WE R LegalTech, I had the privilege of joining a panel discussing responsible AI and the opportunities and challenges it presents for the legal sector.

These conversations around ethics, skills and the future workforce will shape our profession for years to come, and I am proud Bristol & Bath Legal Tech is helping lead that conversation.

One initiative that has given me particular pride this year has been using Legal Life Magazine to shine a spotlight on the exceptional legal talent we have here in Bristol. Throughout my presidency, I wanted to celebrate the people who make our legal community so special, and it has been a privilege to share the stories, achievements and journeys of so many inspiring individuals across our profession.

Before I conclude, I would like to offer some personal thanks.

Firstly, to Helen, our CEO, and Claire Ponting. Bristol Law Society simply would not be what it is without your dedication, support and tireless commitment.

Thank you to my Immediate Past President, Coralie, our Vice President, Sabeena, the Executive Team, our member firms, chambers, Council members, volunteers and long standing supporters who continue to champion Bristol Law Society.

Thank you also to the Presidents across the country who have welcomed me into their cities throughout the year, and to our judging panel for giving their time and expertise to recognise the very best of our profession.

Finally, thank you to my family and friends who are sitting on Table 1 tonight. Please do go over and say hello to them.

There is absolutely no way I could have got through this year without them.

They have supported me, celebrated every success and reminded me why this work matters.

Whilst my name may have appeared alongside the title of President, no one achieves anything alone, and this year has only been possible because of the people around me.

Thank you for your love, friendship and unwavering support.

Thank you to each of you for being here tonight to celebrate the very best of the legal profession in Bristol.

It has been an immense honour to serve as your President.

 

Finally, I would like to introduce the charity we are supporting this evening: SARI, Stand Against Racism and Inequality.

This charity means a great deal to me personally.

Many years ago, when my family home was destroyed in an arson attack, SARI was there for us. At one of the most difficult times in our lives, they provided support, guidance and reassurance when we needed it most.

Since then, they have continued to do the same for countless individuals and families who have experienced hate, prejudice and discrimination in our city.

Choosing SARI as my presidential charity was a very personal decision. It has given me the opportunity to give something back to an organisation that supported my family and many like them when we needed them most.

So tonight, I have a simple ask: please be generous.

Whether through the raffle, donations or fundraising throughout the evening, every contribution will help SARI continue its vital work supporting victims of hate and discrimination.

I am now delighted to welcome Alex, the CEO of SARI, to the stage to tell you more about the incredible work they do.

Thank you all.

Enjoy the evening, celebrate your achievements, celebrate one another, buy plenty of raffle tickets, and the very best of luck to all of our finalists.

Have a wonderful evening.

 

Salma Maqsood

President (2025/2026), Bristol Law Society