The Association of Women Solicitors, London (AWSL) is an independent organisation providing an independent voice for women lawyers in all walks of legal life, as well as a community to support each other in our careers. 

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Christl Hughes

Founded in 1992 AWSL is now recognised by all the major government and regulatory bodies and liaises with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Judicial Appointments Commission, the Legal Services Board, etc, as well as offering social and educational events and opportunities for young female solicitors to meet with more senior ladies outside their own firm. We also comment on issues affecting female solicitors in the media and respond to consultations.

AWSL succeeded in nominating a room at The Law Society, Chancery Lane, in memory of family law solicitor Joan Rubenstein and has successfully nominated solicitor members for Honorary QC status.

Membership is open on payment of the annual subscription to all women solicitors, paralegals, legal executives, lawyers qualified in other jurisdictions, barristers, other legal professionals and students of the law.

The Association’s current objectives are:

1.1.1. To represent, support and develop the interests of women solicitors.

1.1.2. To provide professional, business and social activities for women solicitors.

1.1.3. To offer educational courses, lectures and seminars designed to benefit the standing of, and to improve opportunities for, women solicitors.

Being involved in this organisation during the pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities. With the advent of working from home ‘presenteeism’ may now be on the decline (or will it?).

AWSL celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Since 1992 there has been progress but issues remain. There is no longer a barrier to women becoming solicitors - since 2017 more women than men have been admitted every year and in 2020 women accounted for 64.2% of trainees and 52% of solicitors holding practising certificates. Issues remain however on retention, pay and promotion particularly in the private sector. In 2020 only 32.9% of partners were female.

Research indicates that the problems are cultural and structural. Despite the long and intensive training, qualification as a solicitor will not ensure survival. It is believed that that as many as one third of women solicitors leave the profession within five years of qualification and do not return. We would like to see more research on why these professional women go and therefore do not proceed to partnership. Is it the gender pay gap? (11.3% in 2021), is it the stress of the job (recent research by LawCare found that women remain more likely to experience bullying and harassment), is there any variation between work sectors and types of firm or can the attrition rate be explained simply by the difficulties of combining legal practice with childcare?

On the positive side, although there were some female solicitor judges in 1992 they were few and far between and there are now many more. AWSL London supported the introduction of the Equal Merit tie breaker for judicial appointments in 2013. There are now many more successful ladies serving as role models across all sectors and of course since Carolyn Kirby was elected the first female president of the Law Society in 2002 others have followed, including the current president I. Stephanie Boyce. 

Recent AWSL events have included the AGM/social evening at The Reform Club, plus a presentation on the new no fault divorce law and panel event with the Judicial Appointments Commission. Our wide membership includes lawyers in all legal practice sectors and at all career stages. Further information can be found on our website Women Solicitors | London | AWS London.

As we approach the centenary of the admission of the first woman solicitor Carrie Morrison in December 2022, onwards and upwards!

Our summer party networking event is on Thursday 7 July, 6.30pm, at Radcliffe Chambers, 11 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A 3 QB. Tickets are £10.00 for AWSL members and £20.00 non members.

 

Christl Hughes is chair of the Association of Women Solicitors, London