Intro
We asked a cross-section of our Women’s Group to give us some positive news to celebrate this International Women’s Day, to reflect on their respective careers, and to share their insights and aspirations on this IWD’s theme #accelerateaction.
Tana Adkin KC – Silk and Deputy Head of Chambers, called 1992, Silk 2017
What will you be doing on 8 March, IWD 2025?
I will be in London canvassing for support in the City of London elections for the Common Council taking place on the 20th of March. This is not a typical Saturday though, I will be missing my Parkrun, seeing my parents, getting on with my housework and attending my children’s sporting fixtures.
What are you celebrating this IWD?
I am standing alongside 7 other independent thinking women equally dedicated to public service who want to listen to and represent the workers and residents of our Ward, Castle Baynard. Only 30% of the Common Council are women, with only 2 Alderwomen and 23 Aldermen. Less than half of the wards of London will have contested elections this March but ours, Castle Baynard has 19 candidates for 8 seats. We have faced challenge, both myself personally as a member of 15NBS Chambers, and just for being women. But it is important that women step up into leadership roles, that we challenge assertions that we are incapable or biased against men. It has been proved that women in leadership bring benefits for all, not just women. I am celebrating all women stepping up to leadership, most especially in our ward election.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Not to be so hard on myself and not to worry so much about what other people think. I wasted so much time worrying unnecessarily about so many things that didn’t really matter.
What one thing would you introduce to #accelerateaction in 2025?
Better education in schools on the issue of consent and sexual autonomy, as well as education addressing sub-conscious bias against women.
In what way do you, as a woman, feel supported in your work?
I have always benefitted from support from my husband, friends at the Bar, and from my colleagues at 15NBS Chambers, both male and female. The working environment at 15NBS is one that supports and promotes female barristers based on ability rather than gender.
Helen Dawson – Junior Barrister, called 2014
What will you be doing on 8 March, IWD 2025?
If my daughter has anything to do with it, I’ll be up and playing from 5am! It will certainly look a little different to last year.
What are you celebrating this IWD?
A decade of 15NBS! This is my tenth year in Chambers, having started as a pupil in October 2015. It will also be my first as a mother.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Take your time, you don’t have to do everything at 100mph – sometimes a pause and taking a step back helps you to evaluate and refocus on the direction of things. It all works out in the end.
What one thing would you introduce to #accelerateaction in 2025?
We should abolish warned lists, following the shining examples of Isleworth CC, Harrow CC and Snaresbrook CC. They help nobody and especially care givers who need certainty to arrange things.
As a wider society we should encourage maternity pay/allowance to be shared with another care giver to enable some women to come back to work sooner (if they want to) whilst having a little longer without having to pay nursery or childminding fees.
In what way do you, as a woman, feel supported in your work?
Whilst pregnant, the Bar couldn’t have been more supportive – opponents, Judges and co-defending Counsel all going out their way to assist if they could. I am extremely grateful to my solicitors, who have been nothing but supportive, whether that has been their willingness to step in at the last minute to cover a trial I had right before I started maternity leave, to managing cases in my absence so I can pick up where I left off on my return, to how to cope with the sleepless nights, and generally keeping in touch. A lot of them now, I consider to be more than just colleagues.
Chambers have given me their full support, whether that’s Sue or Brian St Louis KC checking in every month to see how we’re getting on, to Glenn and the rest of the clerking team ensuring that my return to work is both smooth and flexible. They all know that however wonderful motherhood is (and it is) it is life-changing and you don’t need the added apprehension of returning to work. They have ensured there is worthwhile work to return for, which is helped by Chambers’ parental leave policy (12 months rent free on return to work) because they recognise that the biggest hurdles faced by new mothers in the workplace is the return to work
Yasmin Ford – Junior Junior Barrister, called 2021
What will you be doing on 8 March, IWD 2025?
It’s my godson’s second birthday party. I will be going to that, taking him his presents, spending the day with him, and playing with all his new toys. He loves trains, and I have got him a train set. I will probably hear the word ‘trains’ 100 times.
What are you celebrating this IWD?
I was reminded this week that I went to purchase my wig and gown two years ago, which means I started pupillage almost 2 years ago, it was at the beginning of April. I’ve been a tenant for almost a year, and I’m currently doing my first lead junior brief. This is my first year as a tenant coming to an end, I can’t believe how far I’ve come.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t give up, if you work hard you’ll get to where you want to be. It just takes a little bit of time, not everyone gets to the same place at the same time in their life, but if you keep working at it, keep pushing, you’ll get there.
What one thing would you introduce to #accelerateaction in 2025?
A few months ago, I did a talk at the University of Brighton (where I graduated) about the Bar and career options, and there was such a large female turnout. I would want to do more things like that, that show a young woman at the bar, to talk about my journey, my experiences, and to give them someone to relate to.
In what way do you, as a woman, feel supported in your work?
The Chambers Women’s group is fantastic, and a great support system. It’s nice to be supported by so many women in chambers, of varying degrees of call and experience, who can provide that support and advice on an informal basis. There is no-one I would think I can’t go and speak to, everyone seems so willing to help out and make you feel you can talk to everyone.
Jennifer Anderson – Junior Practice Manager, since 2023
What will you be doing on 8 March, IWD 2025?
I will be getting my nails and toenails done, then I will be going to the gym. I am going to my nan’s for lunch, I usually go and see her on a Saturday and make sure she’s okay. In the afternoon I will be building my new Ikea wardrobe.
What are you celebrating this IWD?
I am turning 21 this year!
I am also doing the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks (IBC) Business Management Course. It’s for junior clerks, giving an insight into clerking, business development and networking. I started in January and will finish in June.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t be scared if you don’t know what to do [for a career]. It’s hard knowing what you want to do when you’re younger, university isn’t for everyone, and not everyone has a set idea of what they want to do. I had no idea what I wanted to do, and now I do this job and I love it.
What one thing would you introduce to #accelerateaction in 2025?
I am a member of the Women in Criminal Law Clerks’ group. Which is for female criminal clerks who need advice or help. It’s important to have this group, we all work in crime, we all have the same stresses, and women deal with things differently to men. I think something like this could definitely be opened up or expanded for commercial, civil and family clerks.
In what way do you, as a woman, feel supported in your work?
I like that I am on the Chambers’ Women’s Group Committee, I like having that involvement, and I like how everyone comes together with their ideas. I feel everyone contributes and cares, and we have a really good group of people with good strong opinions.
