Law Society’s Gazette, November 1903

[From the first issue of the Gazette] The Society’s Gazette and Register

The Registry Department of the Society, which was established in its present form in the year 1888 as a medium affording to members of the Society a means of communication in the negotiation of sales and mortgages of property, and also of partnerships and clerkships, has proved of great use to the profession, as has been shown by the steady increase in the entries on the various Registers…

It has been thought that this general information may with advantage be extended, and that the publication of the Register in an improved form, and with an amended title indicating its wider scope, will be an improvement and form a convenient means of communication to the members.

The Gazette and Register will appear monthly. It will not be on sale, but will be issued to all members of the Society.

Law Society’s Gazette, November 1969

Discrimination against female lawyers (letter to the editor)

I wish to refer to the letter ‘Discrimination against female lawyers’ (August, Viewpoint). Like Miss Gardiner, I am also ‘female’ attempting to enter the legal profession. There the similarity ends.

I attended interviews with solicitors who occupied a variety of posts and was offered several positions as an articled clerk. I am now fortunate enough to be employed by a first class principal.

I met nothing but courtesy and helpfulness (although in deference to Miss Gardiner, I must admit that on one or two occasions this was accompanied by a tinge of amusement).

I have found little discrimination against women either in private or public practice. However, such as there is can perhaps be divided into classes; those who lack confidence in their own ability and those who fear that ‘career women’ may concede to femininity.

I suggest it is up to the feminine members of the profession to prove that efficiency and ability need sacrifice nothing to femininity. Surely, the only way to remove discrimination is to adopt a friendly and helpful attitude and not allow preliminary or minor setbacks to develop into the bitter character traits which epitomise the old fashioned ‘career woman image’ in the eyes of our male colleagues?

LADY LAWYER