In celebration of International Women’s Day 2019 on 8 March 2019, over 200 delegates came together for the Western Circuit Women’s Forum’s (WCWF’s) first ever conference: ‘Women in Law: Support, Retention, Progression.’ The event was sponsored by 3PB Chambers, Albion Chambers, Anglia DNA, Brewin Dolphin, Class Legal, Devon Chambers, Magdalen Chambers, Place Campbell, Queen Square Chambers and Stowe Family Law LLP.

Barristers, solicitors, judges and students from across the South-West and beyond gathered at Armada House in Bristol, and listened to a range of inspirational speakers sharing their experiences and insights on how women in law can be supported in their careers. The WCWF is extremely grateful to His Honour Judge Wildblood, the Honourable Mrs Justice May DBE, the Right Honourable Thangam Debbonaire MP, Maggie Semple OBE FCGI, Sarah Langford, Alison Hawes (Burges Salmon), Mary Jackson (LawCare) and Kate Brunner QC for giving up their time to address the conference delegates. You can find a full conference write-up here.

In the lead-up to the conference, WCWF Steering Group members Carol Mashembo and Emma Cross co-ordinated an essay competition for university law students in Exeter, Plymouth and Bristol. They had an amazing response from the students of whom the overall winner was Nicole Hilton. Nicole is an LLB Law Student at the University of Bristol and was the lucky winner of an iPad kindly sponsored by Albion Chambers. You can find her amazing essay entry attached below. 

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