Lady Brenda Hale inspires students and alumni at School of Law event
On 19 February, the School of Law welcomed back Lady Hale, former President of the UK Supreme Court, for a special ‘In Conversation With’ and dinner event attended by students, alumni and staff.
A pioneering figure in the legal profession, Lady Hale has had a career of many firsts. Born in Leeds, she was the first woman from her school to study at Cambridge University. She was also the first woman to be appointed to the Law Commission, where she paved the way for crucial legislation including the Children Act 1989. In 2004, she became the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court and in 2017, she again made history as the first female President of the Supreme Court until her retirement in 2020. In 2022 Lady Hale was presented with an honourary Law degree from the University of Leeds.
Lady Hale is such an inspiration, and with the limited amount of time we had, we covered a plethora of topics. It is clear that Lady Hale has paved the way for future lawyers, particularly women. The experience was unforgettable and will inspire me throughout my future career.
The ‘In Conversation With’ was hosted by School of Law alumnus and former President of the Law Society, Ben Anderton (LLB Law ‘24) and 3rd year LLB student and Head of the Bar Division, Francesca Cuevas.
It was brilliant to be back in Leeds to co-host the ‘In Conversation with’ Lady Hale. Just as she did on her previous visit three years ago, Lady Hale kept the audience captivated from start to finish. An evening that will live long in the memory!
The conversation covered a huge variety of topics, from the right to die, the infamous Miller judgments, the prospect of AI being used in court rooms, and the proposed removal of jury trials.
Following the talk, a small group of School of Law students and alumni; Mark Hughes (‘79), Neel Malviya (‘95), Ru Anwar (‘95), and Sue McLean (‘97), joined Lady Hale for dinner, providing a valuable opportunity for more informal conversation about legal careers, public service and, for one student, a shared love of Yorkshire Tea!
It was a delight to return to the city of my birth and the Leeds School of Law to meet another lively, engaged and diverse audience of students, alumni/ae and well-wishers. Whatever the challenges ahead, the School is in good heart and hands.
Attendees praised Lady Hale’s openness and generosity, describing the event as both inspiring and thought‑provoking. The evening forms part of the School’s ongoing commitment to connecting students with leading figures in the legal world and enriching their academic experience beyond the classroom.
It was a privilege to attend the dinner and to hear directly from alumni whose careers have taken them across so many different areas of the legal profession. I was fortunate to be seated next to Mark Hughes, an expert in Banking and Finance. Engaging conversations like these are a reminder that there is no single path in law, and it is better to explore the wide range of opportunities the profession has to offer to truly know what area suits you!
PhD Researcher Jack Oortwyn asks Lady Hale a question during the audience Q&A.
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