Developing Links

By Liz Marshall

Liz Marshall talks about how she hopes to develop links as the GSD representative on the Association of Women Solicitors (AWS).

I agreed to become a co-opted member of the Association of Women Solicitors (AWS) in May 2003 to help build closer links between the AWS and Group for Solicitors With Disabilities (GSD). The AWS and GSD have a shared interest in promoting the development of a more diverse legal profession that is responsive to the needs of its members and clients and more accurately represents the community that it serves.

We have a lot in common so it makes sense for the two Groups to work together to raise the public profile of equality and diversity issues and pursue other issues of mutual interest.

However, there are some notable differ-ences between the AWS and the GSD. For example, the AWS is positively sedate by comparison with the hot blooded atmosphere of the GSD meeting; There is no reed to shout above the noise of the crowd in order to make yourself heard! But the calmer approach of AWS members debating issues is matched by a strong commitment to representing the interests of women in the legal profession.

Another difference between the GSD and AWS is that the AWS has permanently established Working Parties focusing on specific issues. such as publicly. "The LINK" Magazine and policy issues, that meet prior to each main meeting. This helps to move forward key issues on the Agenda and is a good means of allocat-ing responsibility to Group members according to their particular areas of interest and/or expertise. The Policy Working Party responds to relevant consultation papers on behalf of the AWS. such as the recent Department of Constitutional Affairs Consul tation on the reform of the Judicial Appointments System and the consultation on proposed changes to the law regulating cohabiting couples.

This year. the AWS and Young Solicitors Group (YSG) undertook a joint research project into the reasons for women leaving the legal profession and failing to be promoted into partnership at an equivalent rate to their male colleagues, which revealed that many women still face discrimination when they seek to combine professional and family responsibilities. I hope that there may be scope for the AWS to collaborate with the GSD on appropriate joint initiatives in the future, as they have done with the YSG. In the meantime, I will continue to keep the AWS and GSD informed of issues of common interest.