The Evolution of the Legal Profession: Strength in Diversity
On 5 December 2024, the School of Law at the University of Leeds and the North-Eastern Circuit jointly hosted a symposium on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
‘The Evolution of the Legal Profession: Strength in Diversity’, held in the Moot Court room in the School of Law, was chaired by Mrs Justice Christina Lambert DBE, Presiding Judge of the North Eastern Circuit, who introduced the four panellists: Lady Justice Philippa Whipple DBE (Court of Appeal and Lead Judge for Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development and Wellbeing); Susanna McGibbon (Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary of the Government Legal Department); Jason Pitter KC (Leader of the North Eastern Circuit); and Alex Batesmith, Associate Professor in Legal Professions at the School of Law and joint coordinator of the Legal Professions Research Group.
The panel addressed a full audience, including over 75 members of the Bar, solicitors, legal executives and the local judiciary and magistracy, students and staff, taking questions from the floor in a free-flowing discussion on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. The evening explored how far the profession has progressed in fostering greater diversity, the opportunities to continue advancing, and the pivotal role lawyers can play in shaping a more inclusive future.
Lady Justice Whipple reflected on her journey from solicitor to barrister and eventually to the Court of Appeal, sharing her perspective on the challenges and opportunities for promoting diversity within the judiciary and legal profession. As Lead Judge for Diversity & Inclusion, she emphasized the importance of wellbeing and leadership development in creating an equitable professional environment.
Susanna McGibbon provided a unique view from the Government Legal Department, highlighting her experiences leading one of the UK’s largest and most diverse legal teams. Her insights into the challenges of embedding diversity into the culture of large organisations were particularly well-received, offering practical lessons for audience members across different sectors of the legal profession.
Jason Pitter KC shared his inspiring story as a champion for diversity at the Bar and the leader of the Northeastern Circuit. He underscored the need for meaningful mentorship, outreach initiatives, and structural changes to break down barriers to entry and progression in the legal profession.
Alex Batesmith, drawing on his academic research and experience as a barrister and international legal consultant, emphasised the importance of supporting students and early-career professionals from underrepresented groups. His reflections on widening participation and professional identity formation resonated strongly with the students in the audience.
The event concluded with a reception in the Liberty Building, where attendees had the opportunity to continue the conversation in an informal setting. Notwithstanding the stormy weather, the strong turnout evidenced the collective commitment of the judiciary, the legal profession, and academia to discussing such an important topic. The School of Law and the Northeastern Circuit express their sincere thanks to all for their contributions and to Mrs Justice Lambert for chairing the event with such skill and warmth. Reflecting on the event, Alex Batesmith of the Legal Professions Research Group said:
This evening reaffirmed a shared determination to ensure that the legal profession continues to evolve as a truly diverse and inclusive community. Here in the School of Law we look forward to future collaborations with the local and national legal profession in advancing the discussions.
