Equality.  Inclusion.  Diversity.

These were the main topics of conversation at an event which took place on 9 November 2023 at the offices of Blake Morgan, but it could just as easily have been recognition, support, and celebration.

The event was organised by Legally Flushed, the brainchild of barrister Imogen Robins of Pump Court Chambers .  Imogen has brought together a community of legal professionals, including solicitors, barristers and therapists, practising in a range of disciplines – family, employment, property and private client.  Imogen is well-known amongst family lawyers as a champion for women, and someone with a purpose.

That purpose is to connect women working in the law with each other, to create relationships and build a network in which its members feel supported by each other and are able to provide that support to others.

Imogen was flanked by her two wing-women: Jennifer Williamson , a partner with Blake Morgan LLP who specialises in family law, and our very own Dani Taylor , an associate who heads up our family team in Winchester.

She was also joined on the day by Keeley Lengthorn , a partner with Taylor Rose MW, who spoke about the loss of her baby son George.  Keeley now campaigns alongside her day job for a change in the law so that employees are entitled to 3 paid days’ leave following a miscarriage at less than 24 weeks’ gestation.  She encourages businesses to develop policies around fertility and baby loss on a voluntary basis whilst waiting for the second reading of the Bill that may become law in the new session of Parliament.

Inspiration and motivation were delivered in spades by Joy Ogeh-Hutfield , an award-winning transformational coach and leadership consultant, who led the room in a celebration of ourselves with the mantra: “I am awesome!”.  Before we can expect others to see that we are awesome, we must believe it in ourselves, she said, with a toss of her magnificently braided hair, a flash of metallic nails, and the utmost self-belief.

There was a plenary session, in which Danielle, alongside Huw Miles , Paris Smith’s managing partner and legendary family lawyer, and Tony Atkins , senior clerk at Pump Court Chambers, answered searching questions about diversity in their own organisations and barriers still faced by women in terms of career progression and participation in management. 

We agreed that for an organisation to make the best decisions, it needs diversity in its members.  Women should not need to pretend to be men in order to succeed.  Instead, we need to celebrate the different qualities that we can bring and to support each other in bringing those qualities to the boardroom.

Although the speakers were inspirational, the atmosphere convivial and the catering delightful, a room full of women is never going to be satisfied until there is also cake.  Luckily, that was provided in the form of about 3,000 cupcakes.  

After the talking, there was a raffle, with prizes generously donated by Pump Court, Blake Morgan and Paris Smith, including Mayflower theatre tickets, a luncheon voucher at the Ivy, a tour of the Temple for two with Tony Atkins and lunch at Middle Temple, a bottle of award-winning sparkling English wine, a box of chocolates, and a copy of Lady Hale’s book ‘Spider Woman’. Proceeds went to ABIGAIL'S FOOTSTEPS , a charity which supports parents who have suffered stillbirth or neonatal loss. 

Lady Luck, who was also in attendance and who was possibly under the influence of a hot flush, decided that I should win one of the prizes donated by Paris Smith – a book about the history of … Paris Smith.

-- Written by Rachel Osgood , Family Law Partner, Paris Smith --