As part of International Women’s Day, we caught up with two of our female barristers, Louise Corfield CTAPS and Emma Williams, who kindly took some time out away from court to take part in a short Q&A session.
What initially inspired or motivated you to pursue a career in law and ultimately led you to become a barrister?
Louise Corfield – I don’t come from a legal background and, growing up, we didn’t know any lawyers. Like lots of people, I equated ‘barrister’, with ‘criminal advocate, in a wig, in front of a jury’. That couldn’t be further from what I do now, but I would have had no idea that barristers could also be involved in will and inheritance disputes, or that the work could and would involve the everyday lives of ordinary people. I liked the idea of mixing public speaking with problem solving, and I still love those elements of the job.
Emma Williams – After a mini-pupillage, I realised that I would enjoy the unpredictability of life at the Bar. No day is the same. No case is the same. No client is the same.
Could you share a pivotal moment or experience that solidified your decision to join the bar and pursue advocacy within the legal profession?
Emma Williams – I met a barrister at an event at my university, and I said I was interested in a career at the Bar. We set up some work experience, and that was it!
As a female barrister, have you encountered any unique challenges or opportunities throughout your career journey? How have these experiences shaped your approach to your work?
Louise Corfield – For me the obvious challenge was coming back to work after having my children, and being adamant that I wanted to achieve real work/life balance and only work a couple of days a week in the early years. I was told that wouldn’t work. In fact, it presented an excellent and timely opportunity to specialise and I actually put a lot of my subsequent success down to making that choice when I did. It’s easy to feel like you are the first one to make these choices, but lots of women do. I think it’s a shame that it is often downplayed, because it means women keep having to feel as though they are reinventing the wheel!
What areas of law do you find most fulfilling or compelling, and how have you navigated your career to specialize in these areas?
Louise Corfield – I love the people side of contested estates work. It’s taken me a while to realise that clients need more than just excellent technical skills and strategy, they often most need sympathy, compassion and understanding. At the heart of every case I do there has been a loss, and there is lots of hurt and distress, as well as (very often) anger and a sense of injustice. Seeing the reactions of clients when they feel heard and get the empathy they need is very rewarding, on top of being able to find practical solutions to bring the conflict in their lives to an end. I get a great deal of pleasure from being able to make a practical difference to peoples lives (and often mental health).
Emma Williams – I enjoy traditional chancery work so have focused on that. The Bar is becoming more and more specialised so decisions about areas of practice tend to be made earlier on.
Looking ahead, what aspirations or goals do you have for your career, and how do you envision contributing to the legal profession in the future, particularly in terms of promoting diversity and inclusion?
Louise Corfield – I have just taken over as the chair of the Midland Chancery and Commercial Bar Association. I’m the first woman in the role and I’m beyond proud about it! I want to use the role to do more for barristers in the early part of their careers, providing support for career development etc. We are also going to be working closely with the BPC (Business and Property Courts) in Birmingham to continue to raise the profile of litigation in the midlands.
Emma Williams – I think the only way you can increase diversity and inclusion is to remove the opaqueness surrounding the profession – or any profession. Make sure that there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to experience life at the Bar – such as mini-pupillages – and offer small awards to cover travel, purchase of a suit. The Bar is meritocratic – that’s something that everyone should realise. So, if you have the talent, it is possible to forge a legal career. But we need to make sure everyone knows it’s possible and, more than that, everyone is welcome.