The Black Solicitors Network intends to tackle discrimination, discuss access to the profession, and address students' needs, says Yvonne Brown

The Law Society Council decision last July to give recognition to the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) as an official Law Society group may to some raise the question as to why black solicitors need to have an organisation to represent and pursue their interests.

Surely, they can just join one of the existing Society groups that have been supported by Chancery Lane for many years?

Solicitors have, for generations, been organising themselves into groups, networks, societies and associations for the better running of the profession with the primary purpose of providing our clients with better quality of service.

Like women solicitors and sole practitioners, the BSN found that there were common issues that we needed to address in our daily practice, about which another black solicitor would have a better perspective and understanding.

Like those other solicitors, we know that if we share information and support each other, we can all raise the quality of our practice.

The unique issues that affect a particular group of people are often best solved by the individuals who comprise the group itself.

The formation of the BSN in 1995 continued in this tradition of solicitors coming together to share information, exchange views and resolve problems.

Our profession is changing, and increased entry into the profession of young people from diverse backgrounds can only improve our battered image.

We need to be seen as a profession that is forward looking, not stuck in the dark ages.

The BSN aims to provide support and assist each other, whether employed, self-employed, in private practice, in commerce or in central or local government.

We aim to raise and improve our profile in the business community and to improve the marketing of our legal services.

Membership is open to solicitors, trainees, student members of the Law Society and legal executives.

Over the past eight years, the BSN has held meetings and seminars and participated in consultations issued by the Legal Services Commission, the former Lord Chancellor's department, and the Law Society.

The BSN is planning to hold its first event as a recognised Society group on 10 October.

It is a network for members and it will be the members who determine the issues and projects that are pursued.

In the next year, the BSN plans to debate issues such as networking for success, tackling discrimination and access to the profession, mentoring and the needs of trainees and students and the use of information technology.

Many pressing issues need to be kept high on the council's agenda, including fair and equal access to training contracts, employment and promotion within firms, and the effective implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the Society's diversity strategy.

I encourage all black solicitors to join the BSN.

Those who have secured a measure of success are asked to share their knowledge with those who need help to improve and enhance their careers.

If we as a group of solicitors do not contribute to the various debates concerning our ability to improve our careers and offer legal services of the highest quality, we will be failing ourselves and the young people who are committing substantial financial resources to join the profession.

It is a credit to the leaders at Chancery Lane that this bold step has been taken, when many would have preferred to keep the 'race issue' safely under the table.

- Membership application forms are available from Beaulah Powell at the Law Society on 0207 316 5756; e-mail: beaulah.powell@lawsociety.

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Yvonne Brown is the chairwoman of the Black Solicitors Network