At Clyde & Co we are committed to diversity and inclusion in our workforce. The Gender Equality at Clyde & Co (GECCO) Initiative is a driving force behind this and continuously feeds back ideas into the firm. We are constantly engaged with our team to understand lived experiences and what we can do better to promote greater diversity in the workplace.

As a firm, we want to ensure that gender diversity is not just promoted in- house but is reflected across the board in the experts and colleagues with whom we work. Last week, we proudly hosted our first ever female barrister networking event in our Belfast office. This important event was arranged by female Clyde & Co colleagues Michelle McCullough, Michelle King, Laura Connor and Edel Quinn.

The event centred around showing our support as a firm to female barristers in Northern Ireland. Around 25 barristers attended with colleagues from both Derry and Belfast’s office for an evening of networking. We were delighted to meet both familiar and new faces in the profession. Not only were new connections made and experiences shared, but it was insightful as well as exciting to discuss the ways in which we, as a firm in Northern Ireland can support females in this profession including those who are starting out their career at the bar. We also heard from Michelle McCullough, Partner and Laura Connor, Senior Associate who highlighted their experiences as females in the legal profession as well as our commitment as a firm to championing women in the workplace and beyond.

The response from Barrister attendees has been resoundingly positive, many noting an event like this is a first for Northern Ireland and feeling encouraged by the show of support from Clyde & Co. For all those who attended, whether well-established in their practice or just starting out in their careers, it was noted all round that this support network is much appreciated. By continuing to build on the foundation of strong working relationships between our firm and the female barrister profession we will continue to empower and thrive together.