Giving back matters to me because I’ve seen, firsthand, what a difference it makes. At various points in my career, people have generously given their time and shared their experience; that support has meant a great deal. I don’t take it for granted, and it motivates me to do the same for others where I can. International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, but also on how much still depends on those within the profession choosing to hold the door open.
I grew up on a farm in rural Mid Wales, and I didn’t know anyone in the legal profession. When I expressed interest in a legal career, I wrote to any solicitor’s firm I could think of for work experience (or to make tea). Though many letters and emails came to nothing, I have found the legal profession to be full of people who are generous with their time and knowledge if you ask for help. It started with a few people being happy for me to shadow them in the office, in court, and eventually allowing me to do part-time holiday work. My experience grew when people I met through the University, the Inns and several sets of Chambers showed me their world. That was invaluable and opened so many doors.
I quickly realised that diversity within a business makes the organisation so much richer, and that can only be a good thing for enhancing legal services and ensuring that the Bar is a place which reflects the society it serves. I have seen this time and again in my first years in practice: a client finding a Barrister more relatable, skills from another job adding depth to the advice, or being able to speak a different language to build trust from the first conversation. I have certainly found that knowledge gained from a broader understanding of the agricultural world, years in customer service roles, or the ability to speak Welsh has been useful at times.
Chambers’ involvement in the Planning and Environment Bar (“PEBA”) mentoring scheme is a good example of commitment to nurturing the next generation. PEBA supports aspiring barristers, particularly those from underrepresented groups, equipping them with the skills, insights, and confidence to thrive. Many members of the Planning and Environment Group volunteer, and I hope mentees from that programme feel they gain a lot from it.
On a more personal level, volunteering with the Lord Edmund-Davies Legal Education Trust (“LEDLET”) has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done outside of practice. LEDLET supports aspiring lawyers with a Welsh connection and from underrepresented backgrounds, offering work experience, bursaries, and practical guidance. It is so fulfilling to see people with every ability but no legal background slowly realise that the legal profession is somewhere they belong.
Within the Planning and Environment Group, that spirit continues through pro bono work, where barristers offer their services for free, and through support for initiatives such as the Women in Planning mentoring scheme. At No5, more broadly, the culture of support is something I feel genuinely grateful for, whether that’s encouraging women into leadership roles, senior members and clerks supporting colleagues after time away from practice, or the mentoring opportunities to ensure that everyone achieves their potential. I am lucky enough to be mentored by an amazing woman who continues to inspire so many of us.
