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Women Lawyers

Bristol Law Society is committed to promoting and supporting ED&I in the legal profession with a focus within Bristol and the South West.

We have a close relationship with the Women Lawyers Bristol networking group. More information about this group is below.

Women Lawyers Bristol

Women Lawyers Bristol is a local networking group and aims to put on regular networking events for women in Bristol and the surrounding area who work within the legal profession.

Membership is free. To become a member, simply complete this form.

You can also follow the Women Lawyers Bristol on their LinkedIn page - and on their Twitter/X page: @WLDBristol

The Women Lawyers Bristol Committee consists of:

Co-Chairs:

Katherine Roe, Wards
Dr Diana Johnson, UWE

Committee Members:

Coralie McKeivor, Freeths LLP
Charlotte Webb, RWK Goodman
Rhiannon Morgan-Williams, Simmons & Simmons LLP
Lucy Hodgkins, Paragon Costs Solutions
Lucia Mills, Roskilly Mills

Previous Events in 2024:

Networking drinks at Cosy Club, Corn Street, Bristol – 1 February 2024

Menopause in the Legal Profession

The menopause is a natural stage of life experienced by most women between the ages of 45-55, yet it remains a taboo subject in many organisations. The average duration of menopausal symptoms is five years: not insignificant for a working woman.

Women often suffer in silence as they do not feel able to talk to their manager about how their menopausal symptoms are affecting them at work. Therefore, more openness about the menopause and workplace support is needed.

Menopause Resources & Websites

We love collaborating with others. If you have any websites, resources or events you would like us to share or collaborate on please get in touch by emailing info@bristollawsociety.com.

Returning to the Legal Profession

The Reignite Academy provides opportunities for lawyers to return to work after a career break, through tailored returnship programmes and direct recruitment. During the last two years, they have helped many women return to careers in private practice and are now moving to in-house roles. They are working with a number of firms in Bristol and Bath.

Reignite run regular webinars to advise lawyers on how to approach the recruitment market, how to use LinkedIn, and how to mobilise your network to find a new role. You can watch our joint webinar here

https://reigniteacademy.co.uk/

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS

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- - Bristol Law Society Registered Office Office
  - - 0117 945 8486