Redressing the Gender Balance in Law

Today we catch up with Helen Brown, Property Partner, on the many benefits of diversity in the legal profession and how the obstacles to gender equality can be overcome. 

What inspired you to become a lawyer?

I always knew I wanted a career, rather than just a job. As I progressed through school and university, I found that law was a natural fit for my skill-set. As a subject matter it is challenging, both on your time and on your mind, but law has been an extremely rewarding career path for me.

What changes have you seen in the legal sector in recent years?

I’ve been working in the profession for 14 years and it’s been so positive to see such a noticeable increase in the number of female trainee solicitors starting out at the firm year-on-year. Real estate law is traditionally quite a male-dominated space, but I think clients are less surprised now when they realise the lawyer handling their case is a woman.

Another change is flexible working. It used to be a privilege that you had to earn, but things have changed for the better thanks to recent policy changes. Businesses are more mindful of the fact that accommodating the needs of parents is a major step that employers should take to retain and promote female employees – and it can have a positive impact on male employees too.

What barriers do you think still exist in your industry?

The clients I work with in the property development industry tend to be predominantly male. On occasion, I’ve witnessed several examples of sexism and misogyny, with incorrect assumptions or inappropriate comments being made towards myself or other female colleagues.

It’s important to rise above outdated attitudes and misconceptions. When it comes to standing out from the crowd, bullishness, resilience and confidence in your own abilities goes a long way.

How has Brabners supported your career?

I actually started my career at Brabners – and have progressed all the way through from trainee solicitor to partner. Motherhood hasn’t had an impact on my career progression at all - incidentally, two of my promotions actually coincided with my pregnancies.

Flexible working is now embedded in the Brabners’ culture – which is so helpful in facilitating a better work-life balance for parents. We often hear that client demands and business needs prevent lawyers from being able to work flexibly, but where there’s a will, there's a way. Performance needs to be measured on the outcomes of the work, not on the time spent behind a desk.

What’s the value of a diverse workforce?

Often, firms pay lip service to diversity - without really knowing how to implement relevant initiatives or appreciating the value it can add to an organisation. But it’s important for them to remember that a diverse workforce will bring different ideas and new ways of thinking to the table and, as a result, they’ll be able to better serve your client or customer base. We service a wide range of clients - it makes sense to be diverse in the people we hire, too.

What advice would you give to women in the profession?

Be bullish, work hard, and go for what you want. Never pass up an opportunity to network internally and externally - forming relationships with people from all levels of the business will also help you progress and provide you with a support network, which can prove invaluable for your career.