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IBA’s initiative to ‘break glass ceiling’

The International Bar Association (IBA) President has launched a set of recommendations aimed at helping younger female lawyers to achieve senior roles within their organisations.

Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama introduced the ‘Ten Directives to Break the Glass Ceiling’ to mark International Women’s Day 2024 (8 March).

The initiative was discussed during simultaneous IBA Women’s Day events on 8 March with more than 80 women lawyers from 30 different jurisdictions across the world.

The well-attended Dublin event was held in the offices of William Fry, where President Barry MacCarthy represented the Law Society.

‘Path markers’

In a virtual address, President Arpón de Mendívil described women lawyers who had been able to reach senior positions as “path markers”, who should guide the next generation to achieve success.

“We need to accelerate the transformation in bringing young women associates to senior positions to achieve balance at the top,” she stated.

She introduced video links to senior women lawyers and young associates from all over the world.

As part of the Dublin event, Myra Garrett (chair of the IBA section on public and professional Interests) moderated a discussion on the directives that also stressed the importance of other issues, such as gender-pay balance and maternity leave.

‘Be yourself’

The IBA directives launched today are divided into two categories, with the first six being actions to be taken that depend on the individual:

• Merits are a must; we must constantly keep building our skills and knowledge,
• Grow professional relationships, a network of the widest possible range of people,
• Gain visibility, internal and external,
• Own the professional space that belongs to you,
• Maintain a healthy work-life balance: define your priorities, and
• Be yourself. It is the thing you excel at,

The remaining four are environments to be created by the workplace to facilitate the advancement of women lawyers:

• Opportunity,
• Visibility,
• Flexibility,
• Mentoring/sponsoring

‘More top positions’

The Law Society President Barry MacCarthy told attendees that the Law Society had, in 2014, become the first legal profession in the world to achieve gender parity, while 60% of admissions to the Roll of Solicitors last year were women.

He added, however, that diversity was about more than achieving equal numbers, and that we now must work towards increasing the number of women solicitors holding top positions in the private sector, the public sector, and across the State’s wider justice system.

International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements, raises awareness about discrimination, and strives for action on gender equality. This year’s theme is ‘Inspire inclusion’.

In 2016, the Law Society set up the Women in Leadership Programme, which aims to empower and support women in the legal profession seeking to advance their careers to a senior level.

The programme is open to solicitors throughout the country and involves mentors representing every sector of the profession.

Call to regional solicitors

This year, the Law Society is urging more regional solicitors to get involved as mentors and mentees and support their local communities.

Applications for mentors and mentees for the 2024 programme will open on 8 April 2024.

On 18 April, the Law Society is also holding an all-female panel discussion on the topic of high-impact leadership within the legal sector.

The Law Society also continues to encourage legal firms to sign up to its GEDI Charter to help nurture a culture of inclusion, mutual respect, and equal opportunities within the legal profession.