Lawyer Monthly - Women In Law Special Edition

WOMEN IN LAW EDITION LAWYER MONTHLY 33 done to restructure the workplace, which is a big ask, because let’s face it, it has been a very successful model. I think it requires a really huge effort of will and imagination to see it could be even better because you would get not only the diversity and inclusion, but the creativity, the innovation and appeal. This would not only surface the best lawyers but it would also serve the clients better as well. I don’t think this will happen overnight, but I know that other professional service firms are being very creative about the way they are addressing attrition of all sorts, by making the workplace more suited for the people who are entering it now. To change it, of course, takes a lot of effort and some organisations have made a lot of effort to enable people to take more leave, paid or unpaid, so that it accommodates their lives, their children their families and holidays. It doesn’t mean they can’t do the work, it requires efforts on all sides, but I think it will come. top, you feel a real sense of achievement. And that is what it has been like for me; I wouldn’t suggest I am at the top of my field now, and I don’t aspire to be, but having overcome those initial difficulties and to encourage others to do the same, is very satisfying. In order to achieve true equality in the workplace, how important is it for men and women to work symbiotically? I actually think it is incredibly important that this is seen to be about people, rather than women, or indeed men. It is actually about getting the best out of people and ensuring all their hard work going towards their career progression isn’t wasted. It has been heartbreaking for me over the years to see some really excellent women and men leave because they just can’t really make it work for lifestyle reasons. I think that there is a lot of work to be Q