An office mentoring programme between lawyers at Clarke Willmott is paying dividends for the next generation of legal talent and celebrating the power of women supporting women.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year was ‘Give to Gain’ which encouraged workplaces, communities and individuals to give time, support, knowledge, visibility or mentorship to help strengthen opportunities for women.
Partner Laura Mackain-Bremner and Solicitor Paige Skudder reflect on this year’s theme, their own mentoring relationship and explain why women in law should be supporting and empowering each other all year round , not just on International Women’s Day.
How did your mentoring start
Paige: “When I first joined Clarke Willmott my supervisor, Laura Mackain-Bremner, kindly offered me weekly 1-1s. When I was an NQ, the weekly sessions often consisted of running through my workload or me asking various questions whilst I settled in. I don’t believe it was ever labelled as ‘mentoring’, nor did I set out looking for a mentor, it just naturally developed that way which was quite nice.”
What motivated you to become a mentor?
Laura: “During my career I have had some excellent mentors and supervisors (one of whom came to my wedding). It really makes you appreciate what a difference having a great mentor makes. It motivates you and makes you a better lawyer, whereas the very worst supervisors can make you want to quit. As I have progressed in my career, I have been really invested in working with the junior members of the team and helping to support them and give whatever useful advice and guidance I can.”
What do you value most about mentoring women in your field?
Laura: “I totally believe in championing everyone in our workplace but there is something special about women lifting other women up. It is such a pleasure to be even a tiny piece of someone’s successful career journey.”
What has been the most helpful or empowering advice Laura has given you?
Paige: “I would say the most empowering thing that Laura has done as my mentor is accept me for who I am as a person and encourage me to take every opportunity that arises (sometimes even putting me forward for things herself). It is simple things like Laura asking for my thoughts / contributions which make me feel valued as it shows, despite the fact I am more junior in my career, she still wants to hear what I have to say. Of course, Laura does give me advice but that is often if I have raised a query or concern with how to handle a situation that she will then share her own experiences of how she has dealt with a similar situation in the past. Sometimes I may have even reached the advice I expect I will receive, myself, but it is still beneficial to talk it through with Laura.”
What have you each gained from investing time, knowledge, and support in one another?
Laura: “Investing time in Paige and any of our juniors helps to strengthen the team and the offering we can give our client’s particularly when it comes to proportionality. Paige’s upfront and open nature has also given me a real insight into the benefits and challenges of being a junior in our team as well as a solicitor now. I value Paige’s feedback and insight hugely.”
How do you see mentorship contributing to gender equality and lifting women up in Law or your community?
Paige: “I think mentorship gives you a boost of confidence in yourself and the work that you do. If you are being championed / encouraged by a mentor that ultimately makes you want to keep on taking opportunities as they arise – you want to keep improving. The hope is then that others see someone doing something that shows them that those things are achievable and it has a ripple effect. If you feel supported and valued you are more likely to stay on your career trajectory. It can appear as though women in senior positions face a pressure to be ‘likeable’ but also to be ‘competent and assertive’ in their management style. I think mentorship enables women to lead authentically because it provides them with a space to be themselves and not conform to outdated views on how their management style should look.”
Laura: “During my career I have seen a year on year rise in the number of female solicitors and it is so wonderful to see more equality generally in the industry. I have been extremely lucky to have the most wonderful female mentor in Esther Woolford.”
She has shown me what a difference a strong female role model can make, particularly one who lifts you up and encourages you to be better.
“As well as seeking to pass that mentorship on to female juniors and other women in the legal sector, I am also part of the organising committee for a female agricultural network – SWAg which seeks to help farming women and professionals connect so that they have another woman to contact in a time of need or for some sage advice.”
What are your hopes for the future — personally and for women in your field?
Laura: “I am looking forward to seeing Paige develop through her career at CW and helping where I can. Generally, it is wonderful to see more and more female lawyers and for them to continue to come together to lift each other up.”
Paige: “Personally, I hope to be able to offer what Laura has for me, to a junior one day, as I progress in my career. For women in law more generally, I hope that they can always be themselves and feel empowered as a result of that. I hope any woman reading this, that wants to benefit from a mentorship relationship, reaches out to a potential mentor, and asks the question because it might just be the start of a wonderful & collaborative relationship.”
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
We are a signatory of the Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter. The Charter is a public statement of commitment by providers of legal services to develop and implement best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion.
To meet our commitment to this charter, we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The committee works hard to build an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone can reach their full potential.
We are also a signatory of the Bristol Women in Business Charter and members of Inclusive Employers. Learn more about our ED&I initiatives here
