"I am really proud of the superb programme of online events we have been able to put together over the last couple of weeks."
Sally Penni
Women in the Law UK has switched its regular programme of face-to-face events for a comprehensive schedule of education and social webinars. These will replace all of the organisation’s planned face-to-face events until September, subject to evolving government advice.
Women in the Law UK’s new online schedule includes three “Lunch and Learn” webinars per week and a weekly social “In Conversation With” event on Thursday evenings.
The “Lunch and Learn” webinars take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1.00 to 2.00pm. Each session is led by an expert, with confirmed topics already booked into the timetable including personal branding, routes to becoming a partner, social media for lawyers and the menopause in the workplace.
Every Thursday evening from 7.00 to 8.00pm, meanwhile, Women in the Law UK’s founder Sally Penni is now hosting a sociable “In Conversation With” Zoom meeting, to which virtual guests are invited to bring a glass of wine or a cup of tea. The Chatham House Rule, which enables speakers and audience members to converse freely and learn from each-others’ experiences in a confidential environment, applies to Women in the Law UK’s webinars just as it does to its face-to-face events.
Links to join the “Lunch and Learn” and “In Conversation With” Zoom meetings can be found on Women in the Law UK’s Eventbrite page. This can be navigated to via www.womeninthelawuk.com.
Women in the Law UK is also planning to increase the output of its “Talking Law” podcast series from monthly to weekly. These podcasts take the form of an interview with a leading light from the legal world, carried out by Women in the Law UK’s founder, Sally Penni (pictured), plus updates on the organisation’s recent activity.
Episodes of “Talking Law” scheduled for release shortly include interviews with TV host Robert Rinder, host of the ITV reality court show Judge Rinder, and author and blogger The Secret Barrister. Podcasts can be downloaded from the Women in the Law UK website or from iTunes or Spotify.
Women in the Law UK has also bolstered its social media presence in response to the lockdown. It has launched a new LinkedIn group, www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-the-law-uk, and boosted the volume of content and activity on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WomenintheLawUK/.
Sally Penni, multi-award-winning barrister and founder of Women in the Law UK, said, “At a personal level it has been hugely disappointing to have to postpone months’ worth of events, with fantastic speakers including Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former President of the Supreme Court Lady Hale, that represented a huge investment of time and effort. However, we must all adjust to the new reality and play our part in suppressing the spread of coronavirus.
“It is also important to me that we continue to support all of our members through this unprecedented time, and if there is one thing women lawyers understand it’s how to adapt and find opportunity in adversity. I am really proud of the superb programme of online events we have been able to put together over the last couple of weeks and I would like to thank all the presenters who have rallied around and volunteered their time and expertise, and everyone who has joined us for the sessions we have run so far.
“Obviously I can’t wait to get together with our members and supporters face-to-face again when it is safe to do so but one positive that has come out of this situation is that we now know we can produce excellent, engaging webinars. Even after this is all over I expect we will continue to deliver some of our sessions online, enabling us to connect with and support people who might not be able to make it to our in-person events.”
Women in the Law UK is a professional development organisation that exists to promote gender diversity and support women’s progression at all levels of the legal profession. Individuals and businesses that are interested in joining Women in the Law UK or applying for the Women in the Law UK Charter, which recognises law firms, barristers’ chambers and legal businesses that can demonstrate a concrete commitment to gender diversity and wellbeing, should email womeninthelawuk@gmail.com.
