Asian legal women unite

The unique problems faced by Asian women lawyers this week led a solicitor, barrister and trainee solicitor to launch a networking group offering them support.

Ginni Chohan, a trainee at the Woodbridge Partnership in Uxbridge and one of the co-ordinators of the Asian Women Lawyers Network, said Asian women lawyers faced different problems from non-Asians.

'For example, many Asian male clients will refuse to take advice from us, because their traditional beliefs mean that they cannot respect an Asian woman in authority,' she said.

The networking organisation developed when Ms Chohan, Jas Kalsi of west London firm Lloyd Brennand & Co and barrister Suki Johal of 10 King's Bench Walk found it difficult to get in touch with other female Asian lawyers to ask advice on issues particular to their community.

'Dealing with the Asian culture and traditions can throw up many problems, and we wanted fellow Asians to know that they were not alone, and help was out there,' Ms Chohan said.

Along with encouraging regular social meetings, circulating a newsletter and compiling a cultural referral list of specialist individuals and organisations, the network hopes to provide a twice monthly seminar on Asian legal issues.

'Issues such as a wife's attempts to retrieve her dowry, or certain types of domestic violence, are very specialised issues that Asian lawyers dealing with Asian clients often need advice on,' said Ms Chohan.For details, e-mail gchohan@ woodbridgepartnership.co.ukVictoria MacCallum