Law and the Black Woman

This event will showcase successful black women in the legal profession in who have broken barriers and achieved success in their various professional lives.

This is a free event but registration is required in advance. There will be a reception after the event.
 

Diversity has become very important in the world of work today and many organisations have increased their representation of employees from BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds.

However, in 2015, of an estimated 13.9% of BME practicing lawyers, only 2.1% of these were from Afro-Caribbean backgrounds!

Additionally, less than half of all partners in 2015 (22.8%) were female.

This event will showcase successful black women in the legal profession in who have broken barriers and achieved success in their various professional lives.

Whether you are interested in pursuing a legal career or not, if you are interested in hearing from successful, inspiring women then this is the event for you!

Following the panel discussion, there will be a networking reception which everyone is welcome to attend. 

Speaking on the panel will be:

Elizabeth Uwaifo, Managing Partner of Radix Legal & Consulting. Elizabeth has over 25 years’ experience in advising banks, financial and corporate institutions in a wide variety of areas, including Commercial Transactions, Corporate Restructuring and Investment, and Derivatives. She qualified as a barrister of the Middle Temple in 1989 and re-qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 1992 and is a former Senior Partner of Sidley Austin LLP and Fasken Martineau LLP.

Juanita Derex-Briggs, Trainee Solicitor at White & Case LLP. Juanita has been heavily involved with the UN, including her recent participation in the 2017 CSW Youth Forum for Gender Equality in New York. She is a strong advocate for gender equality and has appeared in a youth radio show in Liberia discussing sexual health. She is currently in the second seat of her training contract at White & Case in Project Finance.

MaameYaa Kwafo-Akoto, Associate at Allen & Overy LLP. MaameYaa has been an Associate at leading Magic City firm, Allen & Overy for 5 years and has displayed a consistent commitment to supporting the career development of young women both inside and outside of London by speaking at schools and universities across the country.

Natalie Osafo, Associate at Slaughter and May. Natalie is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion within Slaughter and May and the wider profession. She is passionate about educating the wider community about the opportunities available to people of Afro-Caribbean descent and a celebrator of Afro-Caribbean success in the professional world.

Claudine Adeyemi, Associate at Mishcon de Reya LLP. Claudine is a Property Litigation Associate and in 2015, was listed as one of Property Week’s ‘Top Forty Under 40’. She is also the Founder of The Student Development Co., an organisation which helps young people from underprivileged backgrounds with their career goals and development.