Celebrating International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day 2021 - #ChooseToChallenge.
For over a century, International Women’s Day (8 March) has marked a day of celebration and advocacy for women’s rights and equality around the world.
In recent years, countries with women leaders such as New Zealand, Bangladesh and Germany received global praise for their handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. Kamala Harris became the first female, Black and South Asian, Vice President of the United States, and Scotland became the first country to allow free and universal access to menstrual products.
Although these examples are a huge progression towards an equal world, there is still a long way to go in creating an inclusive and equal society. Not only is it our world and company leaders that play the important role in this, but also each and everyone one of us should be doing our bit and choosing to challenge gender inequality.
In the legal industry, 2021 has seen a 6% increase in new rankings for female lawyers (with 47.74% being female and 52.26% male across all rankings). At Wolferstans Solicitors, we are incredibly proud that 79% of our workforce are female, and 11 out of our 19 Partners are women. Female lawyers have historically had a lower representation at partnership level and so, it is because of the empowering women within our firm who are forging the path to change, that we can say our firm is an equal opportunity employer, which promotes equality of opportunity for all.
We have asked a few of the many empowering women in our firm to answer a few questions.
Name
Elizabeth Smith.
Your job role
Partner and Head of the Medical Negligence Department. This involves running my own caseload pursuing claims on behalf of clients who have suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence as well as supervising and supporting the team of lawyers and support staff in their caseloads.
How did you progress to this role?
I joined Wolferstans as a paralegal to Simon Parford who was the previous Head of Department. With the knowledge and experience gained working on Simon’s cases I then undertook my CiLEX qualification whilst working full time. Once qualified I progressed from the role of paralegal to a fee earner with my own caseload and have progressed through the firm becoming an Associate, Partner and now Head of Department.
If you could go back 10 years and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
You don’t have to be perfect. Take time to breathe, don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Success will come from hard work.
What would you say to someone who aspires to be in your job role in the future?
The only thing stopping you is your own self doubt. Work hard and nothing can stop you.
What does success look like to you?
Having a supportive loving family that I am able to provide for.
Name
Jeanette Arvidsson.
Your job role
Marketing Manager – Responsible for managing the company’s marketing initiatives. Uses market research and analysis to direct marketing strategy and planning. Oversees the production of all promotional materials and marketing campaigns.
How did you progress to this role?
Started my career in advertising for a national newspaper group and progressed to Head of Business, Education & Sponsorship within that time, including working with the editorial teams and commercial partners to lobby government to ensure the South West region is and continues to be recognised for the regions phenomenal achievements. Wolferstans were a key account I had looked after whilst in that role and was offered the position as Marketing Manager and last year was made Associate of the firm.
If you could go back 10 years and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
Say yes to as many opportunities offered to you… you just never know what it could bring.
What would you say to someone who aspires to be in your job role in the future?
Never be worried to ask the question if in doubt, and don’t let others hold you back. Marketing is fast paced and a constant learning curve, but ultimately the relationships you build along the way are key!
What does success look like to you?
Achieving the goal I set for myself.
Name
Alison Challacombe.
Your job role
Head of the Child Care Team at Wolferstans. I head up one of the biggest and busiest Child Care departments in the South West. No work day is ever the same and one day you can be appearing in the High Court and the next, meeting children at their homes or schools and getting to know them. Our focus is always on our clients and we try to make sure they have a voice and feel they able to be heard in what can be an arduous and difficult court process.
How did you progress to this role?
I joined Wolferstans as an Associate Solicitor in 2009 to Head up the Child Care Team. Since then the team has expanded and become busier than ever. I became a partner in Wolferstans in 2020.
If you could go back 10 years and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
Time is going to fly, do it now and be productive every single day. And don’t bother booking a holiday in 2020.
What would you say to someone who aspires to be in your job role in the future?
Keep believing that success will come from hard work.
What does success look like to you?
A happy family and a job I enjoy that supports that. A good work-life balance is everything.
Name
Rebecca Bawler.
Your job role
I’m a Fee Earner in the Wills & Trusts Department, assisting clients with the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney, together with applications for Grants of Probate and dealing with the affairs of someone who has passed away.
How did you progress to this role?
I graduated from UWE Bristol with a law degree in 2013, without really knowing what my next step was going to be. I returned to Plymouth and secured a job with Wolferstans in the firm’s General Office. It was a great “foot in the door” for me, as it really opened my eyes to the reality of a career in law. From here, I was given the opportunity to be a PA to a Partner, before then progressing to a Paralegal in the Wills & Trusts team. I then completed my studies with CILEx, before qualifying as a Fellow of CILEX (Chartered Legal Executive) in 2019.
If you could go back 10 years and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
To seize every opportunity and embrace every experience – good or bad.
What would you say to someone who aspires to be in your job role in the future?
Being a lawyer is not just about memorising statute and case law, it is important that you remember the ‘human factors’ and to provide the best level of customer service you can, to support your clients through, often difficult, times.
What does success look like to you?
Happy clients and a good work-life balance.
Name
Steph Marsh.
Your job role
Employment Solicitor – Acting for both employers and employees and assisting with their various employment issues, whether that be bringing or defending a claim or providing ad-hoc advice.
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