Accelerate action for gender equality
27/02/2025 10:42:44International Women’s Day 2025 reminds us to celebrate women in law while highlighting and challenging the barriers that still exist.
The Law Society is focused on supporting a changing profession and encouraging greater inclusivity and diversity. Some of our initiatives and services are listed below.
April - Women in leadership
Since 2018, 600 solicitors have participated in the Law Society’s Women in Leadership programme, to mentor women wanting to advance their legal career to a senior level. Applications for the 2025 programme will open for mentees on 7 April.
Increasing access to the profession
We want to make it easier for more women from different socio-economic backgrounds to become a solicitor. A range of funding and grant schemes that are currently available to students and trainees are outlined below:
The PPC Hybrid programme which has been in place for five years has allowed more people based outside of Dublin, who may have other family and work commitments, to complete their training and numbers are growing. Over 70% of the most recent intake are women.
The Law Society’s online Returners programme has assisted 120 lawyers with the skills and contacts needed to return to legal work after taking an extended break:
Through public legal education initiatives like Street Law, Solicitors of the Future and the global online MOOC course, we strive to increase awareness and interest in the law from an early age.
Women in law infographic
A handy infographic highlights statistics about women in the solicitors profession and their experience. To download the full version, click on the image below.
New pathways
One of the four priority areas we highlighted in ‘A New Agenda for Justice’ last year relates to widening access to legal qualifications and proposals include extending the SUSI grant, a student visa scheme and a national apprenticeship programme.
International Women’s Day event: meet your colleagues
Our evening gathering on 5 March 2025 marked International Women’s Day and celebrate women in the legal profession is now sold out.
Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Charter
Consider pledging to the GEDI Charter to show your support for an inclusive and equitable legal profession.
Are you taking full advantage of the services the Law Society offers to enable you to thrive at work? Visit Solicitor Services or contact solicitorservices@lawsociety.ie for details.
