Looking forward to 2022

Women in Law Kent (WILK) was founded in March 2020 by Gemma Adams, a Chartered Legal Executive and Police Station Advisor for Tuckers Solicitors in Kent.

After 10 years of part-time studies, whilst working and raising a young family, Gemma recognised the need for a group to empower women in the legal profession. Gemma became aware that there are issues with retention of talented female lawyers, particularly for those who have young children, and opportunities for advancing a career in law was sometimes more difficult for women. Of course, there are many factors for this, but WILK provides a platform for open discussion of these types of issues, which would assist in supporting and encouraging women. Women empowering women.

WILK was launched just prior to the first national Coronavirus lockdown in March 2020. It was then that Gemma realised this group was needed more than ever. Women were working from home and appearing before the court, whilst home-schooling their children, some training contracts were put on hold, new vacancies were like gold dust and we felt isolated.

Throughout 2020, WILK started building momentum. Megan Ryan, a Trainee Solicitor, and Jessica Ward, a Criminal Barrister, agreed to join WILK’s committee and have worked incredibly hard.

Since then, we have expanded our committee to 7 members in total. We have held virtual and in-person networking events, workshops and social meet ups too.

Last year, we welcomed the statistics that women made up 45 out of 101 newly appointed QCs, and, for the first time, newly appointed partners to UK law firms was over half.

Through our work, we have helped students find employment, forged new friendships and helped grow a sense of community within Kent. We hope to continue and support women in law in 2022.

Our next event is the Galentine’s Event on 18 February. We will meet at Chapette’s in Canterbury. We have secured an inspirational speaker to talk to us about self care and how to manage stress within the profession. We have a few spaces remaining, so if you would like to book, please search for us on social media @womeninlawkent