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Westminster and Holborn Law Society Annual Dinner 2021
6 October 2021
Have you bought your tickets to our Annual Dinner yet? It's at 7pm on Wednesday 6th October at the National Liberal Club.
It will include a champagne reception and a three-course meal with wine. The dinner will be followed by post-dinner networking on the terrace overlooking the River Thames.
It is set to be a brilliant evening and a great opportunity to connect, re-connect and network with professionals across the industry!
Tickets can be accessed via this link: https://lnkd.in/dx4WsgdJ
Westminster & Holborn Law Society Summer Yacht Party
Wednesday 18 August 2021 6-11pm
We are all excited to welcome you back to our in person events, which we are kicking off in style on the River Thames on Wednesday 18 August.
Come and join us at The Yacht London for music, drinks and canapes, and to see everyone who you’ve missed over the past year.
Tickets are £25 for members and £35 for non-members. Places are limited and booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased here.
This event kindly sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group
The House of Commons was the prestigious venue for the Society’s second annual celebration for Newly Qualified Lawyers. This auspicious setting was the perfect backdrop to reflect on the hard work and inspirational achievements of this year’s trainee solicitors who are qualifying into the profession.
Laura Uberoi, President of Westminster & Holborn Law Society welcomed the attendees, including Stephanie Boyce (Deputy Vice President of The Law Society), a visiting delegation from the Barcelona Bar, and representatives from the bar associations of Krakow, Berlin, Bilbao and Amsterdam. The event was also sponsored by Chadwick Nott, Luminance, Lloyds Bank and TM Lewin.
The keynote speaker, Deputy High Court Judge Pat Treacy (Senior Partner of Bristows) gave an illuminating speech, calling on all of us as custodians of justice to uphold the rule of law by ensuring diversity in the profession: "Diversity remains an issue for the legal profession. As custodians of justice, how can a non-diverse legal profession uphold the rule of law in a diverse society? ... We should be making efforts to address any disconnect between the legal profession and society: as more senior lawyers lending a helping hand to those who are on the ladder behind us and being conscious of the effects of our conduct; and, as younger lawyers, accepting the challenges involved in helping improve diversity.”
Senior Lawyers gather in Parliament to Welcome Newly Qualified Solicitors
1st October 2019
President, Laura Uberoi, welcomes guests to the Houses of Parliament for the annual Newly Qualified Celebration
Keynote speaker Pat Treacy reiterates the importance of diversity in the profession
Chair of the Junior Lawyer’s Division, Suzanna Eames, to joint winners, Joe Morgan of Bindmans
Deputy Vice President, Stephanie Boyce, with guests at the reception
The Newly Qualified Rising Star award was presented by the Chair of the Junior Lawyer’s Division, Suzanna Eames, to joint winners, Joe Morgan of Bindmans and Cynthia Jakes of Carter Bond. Joe said afterwards:
“I think it's great that Westminster & Holborn Law Society is celebrating the achievements of junior solicitors. Many of us have worked hard for many years just to get to this stage in our careers, and I think this is well worth recognising and celebrating! There were some really fantastic solicitors who were also short listed so I was both surprised and humbled to learn I had actually won the Rising Star Award!”
Westminster & Holborn Law Society celebrates the newly qualified solicitors in the area each year and nominations for the Rising Star award for solicitors due to qualify in 2020 are open.
Westminster & Holborn Law Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Carolina Marin Pedreño as President, who has taken over from Laura Uberoi. She was installed on Tuesday 29 October at the Society’s Annual General Meeting, which took place at the offices of Farrer & Co.
Carolina Marin Pedreño is a Spanish abogado who cross qualified as a solicitor in 2006. She has 20 years of legal experience in cross border work, involving both public and private children issues, particularly child abduction, registration and enforcement of foreign contact orders. Carolina is a Partner at Dawson Cornwell, a Fellow and European Chapter Delegate of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, Secretary of the Union International des Avocats family commission, a member of the International Committee of Resolution, and co-chair of the European Family Justice Observatory.
Of her appointment, Carolina said, “We have an excellent agenda for the forthcoming year. Thank you to Laura for her epic leadership, and thank you to the Society and all members for all your efforts to have made the society what it is at the moment. I am excited to be taking on this appointment”.
On stepping down from her position, Laura Uberoi, who was the youngest President ever appointed to a local law society and who took up the role whilst on maternity leave, thanked the officers, committees and all members for being so supportive. She explained that the priorities over the last year had been to broaden the variety of the Society’s events, increase member involvement with their committees and improve the Society’s profile nationally and internationally. She said, “it has been a real pleasure and I am grateful to everybody”. On presenting a gift to Laura, Jeffrey Forrest described her leadership as “inspirational” and said that Laura had made the Society “more and more relevant”.
The following officers have also been appointed for the forthcoming year: Paul Sharma as Senior Vice President, Matthew Allan as Junior Vice President, Anthony Seymour as Treasurer, Ivan Ho as Editor and Anisha Birk as Secretary.
Simon Davis, President of the Law Society of England and Wales was also present to accept his appointment as an Honorary Member of the Society.
Westminster & Holborn Law Society appoint their first Spanish President
1st November 2019
The Society’s AGM was hosted at Farrer & Co. Left to right: Immediate Past President Laura Uberoi, President Carolina Marin Pedreño and Honorary Secretary Anisha Birk
Council Member Jeffrey Forrest presents Immediate Past President Laura Uberoi with a gift
Twinning with Krakow
11 March 2020
We had a wonderful Twinning Ceremony with the Krakow Bar at the Carey Street Law Society residence on 11 March 2020. We so enjoyed meeting and taking part in this ceremony with our Polish colleagues. Thank you to William Longrigg, who spoke to us about Brexit and our important relationship with Poland and other European countries.
Annual Dinner
11 March 2020
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual dinner on 11 March 2020, which we organised together with the South London Law Society. It was a pleasure to hear our key note speaker Stephanie Boyce talk about diversity in the legal profession and how we can ensure that our profession goes from strength to strength. It was also a pleasure to present our lifetime achievement award to Michael Tomlinson, the chairman of the Islington Legal Advice Centre (ILAC) in London. Thank you also to our fabulous sponsors, Kutter Walters costs draftsmen and Interpreting Direct.
Left to right: Junior Vice President Matthew Allan, Senior Vice President Paul Sharma and President Carolina Marin Pedreño
President Carolina Marin Pedreño and Immediate Past President Laura Uberoi
Forum for International Lawyers, Carolina Marin Pedreño our president extolling the virtues of WHLS
26 February 2020
Tinned Bar Association of Barcelona
21 April 2020
Our twinned Bar Association of Barcelon has invited us to participate in their online international training. We are going to make those videos available for our members as soon as we are able to.
WESTMINSTER & HOLBORN LAW SOCIETY NEWS
International Women’s Day Campaign With Legal Women Magazine
6 March 2021
Members of WHLS came together with connections to Legal Women Magazine to celebrate International Women’s Day and to show their solidarity and support for the #ChooseToChallenge social media campaign. Thanks to all of those who took part.
A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.
We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge!
An Evening with Lesley Wan
8 March 2021
On International Women’s Day 2021, The University of Law and Westminster & Holborn Law Society together hosted “An Evening with Lesley Wan”.
Lesley Wan is General Counsel and Chief Conflicts of Interest & Whistleblowing Officer for FBN Bank (UK) Limited. She has extensive experience working as a lawyer in several financial institutions and in private practice. Lesley is a fierce advocate of equality issues, gender balance and social mobility. She is the Founder and President of The Eagle Club – a global network of 200 women in senior leadership positions. She is also Founder and CEO of Through the Looking Glass. This charity provides underprivileged children with an insight into City professions and encourages them to pursue higher education or apprenticeships.
One attendee commented that Lesley’s “enthusiasm and energy was inspiring and infectious”.
Special thanks to Coral Hill, Chair of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Sub-Committee, for organising such a fantastic event.
Junior Lawyers Division Conference 2021
Saturday 2 October at 10:15am
The Junior Lawyers Division, in partnership with Westminster & Holborn Law Society and sponsored by Devonshires is delighted to host its first face to face conference since 2019 on Saturday 2 October 2021.
The JLD represents LPC students, LPC graduates, solicitor apprentices, trainee solicitors and solicitors up to and including 5 years PQE. The event is open for attendance to JLD members and will offer invaluable guidance for junior lawyers to develop, progress and take control of their career, with talks from leading experts on topics such as knowing your employment rights, being an O-shaped lawyer, ethics, legal aid and much more. There will also be networking opportunities through out the day including a networking lunch.
Tickets are very limited so book early to avoid disappointment using the link below. https://lnkd.in/em4eaFuh
The City of London Solicitors' Company Livery Dinner
1 December 2021
Vice President Nicola Rubbert and President Matthew Allan were amongst WHLS guests at The City of London Solicitors' Company Livery Dinner hosted at Goldsmiths’ Hall yesterday. This annual dinner was an opportunity to meet fellow solicitors and other professionals in the grand surroundings of one of The Great 12 Livery Companies’ halls.
Guests included friends from our neighbouring London law societies, including South London and the national Law Society, as well as representatives from the Army Legal Service and Legal Services of the RAF. More exotically titled guests included Masters of the Makers of Playing Cards’ Company, Fan Makers’ Company and Spectacle Makers’ Company.
Whilst predominantly a social occasion, guests also heard from His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft QC, The Recorder of London on his career trajectory from a modest background in Haringey to one of the most senior criminal judges in the country.
Congratulations were also shown for the winner of the 2021 Wig & Pen Prize for pro bono legal work, Angela Dimsdale Gill of Hogan Lovells, recognising her pro bono work over a 30-year career.
Many thanks to the City of London Solicitors' Company for their invitation to attend. We look forward to continuing to build on the longstanding friendship between our two societies
WHLS Proudly ‘Twins’ with Paris Bar
26 November 2021
We are very pleased to announce that our President Matthew Allan and President of the Barreau de Paris (Ordre des avocats de Paris) Olivier Cousi have concluded a Cooperation Agreement between our respective organisations.
We hope that this formal arrangement will build on the already strong links of friendship between London and Paris. It will also provide our members with a range of benefits, including free online access to the Grand Law Library (La Grande Bibliotheque du Droit)
The Cooperation Agreement also reaffirmed the commitments of both parties to the Resolution on the Death Penalty and Conditions of Detention and Treatment of Persons Sentenced to Death promoting the abolition of the death penalty worldwide, as well as reiterating their commitment to public freedom and human rights.
It was an added pleasure that our former Honorary Secretary and current Law Society of England & Wales President. Stephanie Boyce could join us at the Ministère de la Justice as a continuation of the opening of the legal year of the Paris Bar, which made for a truly impressive setting.
WHLS Delegation Attends Solemn Ceremony Of The Opening Of The Legal Year Of The Paris Bar
24-27 November 2021
A delegation representing Westminster & Holborn Law Society was invited to travel across the Channel to Paris to attend the Solemn Ceremony of the Opening of the Legal Year of the Barreau de Paris (Paris Bar Association) at the invitation of their bâtonnaire, Olivier Cousi. It was a privilege to have been the only local law society from the UK afforded the opportunity to attend.
This annual ceremony was more poignant than usual as it was the first in two years to be held with an international audience present. Law societies from across the world were represented with a large number of francophone and European national and regional bars in attendance.
The Théâtre du Châtelet made for an impressive backdrop for the main event on Thursday 25 November, as invited guests mingled in their respective court dresses amongst members of the French government and judiciary.
It was also an opportunity to catch up with The Law Society President I. Stephanie Boyce and her team as well as Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe Past President Professor Sara Chandler QC (Hon) during the week, both sharing longstanding links with WHLS.
Our members are always welcome to join our overseas delegations which are a great opportunity to develop business connections beyond your own doorstep. Members will be informed of forthcoming opportunities as they arise.
WHLS Annual General Meeting 2022
13 October 2022.
The Society hosted its hybrid Annual General Meeting on 13 October 2022. We are grateful to the generosity of Dawson Cornwell for kindly hosting us all and providing the much welcome refreshments!
The evening was an opportunity for outgoing President Matthew Allan to reflect on the achievements of the past 12 months and to thank all those who helped contribute to making the year such a success. Matt touched on the growing international connectivity of the Society, including new links with the Canadian Bar Association and American Bar Association, as well as other North American regional bars, including in his native Toronto. This was not to forget those longstanding links with the likes of the Barcelona Bar Association (in its 14th year) and newer European links with the Paris Bar Association (formally twined in 2021).
It was also a time to recognise the growth in the Society’s corporate membership numbers and increased membership across the board. Other highlights included fundraising for the Ukrainian lawyers appeal, recognising the outstanding contributions of the Krakow Bar Association in assisting embattled colleagues in Ukraine and hosting them at a gala dinner alongside the International Association of Lawyers (the UIA). Matt will stay on the Officers board as Immediate Past President for the coming year.
Incoming President Nicola Rubbert then shared her goals for the year, which included continuing the Society’s work of ensuring our membership remains a diverse reflection of our profession; varied and relevant to all lawyers, regardless of their backgrounds. Nicola will focus on celebrating our members and the volunteers that are the lifeblood of the work we do.
Nicola, also a Council Member of the Law Society of England & Wales, intends to strengthen the existing bonds with the national law society and continue to build our links with our international twinned bars. She will also work to promote the brilliant events, both social and educational, that the Society runs, to provide inspiration, encourage aspiration and to create an environment that fosters partnership and collaboration for all.
The Society also awarded honorary lifetime memberships to Law Society of England & Wales President Lubna Shuja, and past President of the Law Society (and active WHLS committee member) David Greene. David spoke eloquently about the importance of being involved in his local law society and we are grateful for his contributions over the years!
We also welcomed our new Vice President Phil Henson, Deputy Vice President Nicola Wainwright and Luke Silverman as Honorary Secretary, who round off the new Officers.
Full details of the AGM and our new Main Committee and Sub Committee members will be in next month’s Central London Lawyer.
Westminster & Holborn Law Society’s Annual Dinner
10 November
The Westminster and Holborn Law Society is hosting its annual black-tie dinner on 10 November 2022 at the National Liberal Club.
This will be an opportunity to meet other members of Westminster & Holborn Law Society at all stages of their legal careers and enjoy a champagne reception and 3 course dinner in the splendour of the National Liberal Club’s Lloyd George rooms.
Come alone or with friends/colleagues; we are a friendly and welcoming group!
Tickets are on sale for a limited time, Champagne reception from 6.15pm.
Seats at 7pm for a three-course dinner.https://lnkd.in/eCJ8P2sz
Westminster & Holborn To Co-Host Dinner With International Association of Lawyers (UIA)
6 March 2022
WHLS colleagues and guests are invited to join international delegates at a gala black tie dinner at The National Liberal Club on Friday 1 April to conclude the Modern Families: Current Challenges, Equal Rights and Ways to Protect their Wealth conference.
The conference will take place at the Law Society of England & Wales on 31 March and 1 April. It will draw together a wide range of legal professionals and those providing related services from across Europe and further afield.
The International Association of Lawyers (Union Internationale des Avocats, UIA) is the world’s largest international network of lawyers and this conference and dinner will provide our members a unique opportunity to develop and build their international network.
Established in 1927 and with members in 110 countries, the UIA is a global and multi-cultural organization for the legal profession that facilitates professional development, stimulates learning and networking, and promotes the Rule of Law.
Tickets for the dinner cost €66 (about £55). To register, please contact Joyce Gielen of the UIA, at jgielen@uianet.org or on +33 1 44 88 55 70.
To see the full conference programme and to register please visit www.uianet.org.
Twinning agreement with the Bar Association of Cluj Napoco.
17 May 2024
We are delighted that Coral Hill represented Westminster & Holborn Law Society to sign a twinning agreement with the Bar Association of Cluj Napoco.
This follows years of co-operation between the two Bars and we look forward to it continuing and growing in the future.
Many thanks to the Dean and Calin Viorel Iuga
Westminster & Holborn Law Society AGM 2024
October 2024
At our AGM last night Philip Henson outgoing President passed over the chain of office to Nicola Wainwright, our new President. ‘Nicola has some great ideas and plans to implement them. She will have my full support for her presidential year and beyond. Nicola is a dedicated professional and someone that I trust. She, and the new officers, will be great. I’ve given Nicola the heads up about the barrage of emails that she will receive, whilst balancing a full time job and other responsibilities, and I look forward to forwarding those on to her!
Our thanks to Farrer & Co for kindly hosting us last night and for their valued support.
Philip said ‘I have every confidence that the new committee will continue to develop, expand and modernise the society.
It has been a great honour to have served the members of Westminster & Holborn Law Society as their President. What an amazing journey it has been over the last 12 months. I am delighted to have worked with such talented and dedicated professionals and talented colleagues.
We have hosted events and talks on key issues including being a parent whilst having a career in the law, climate change, and changing careers. Next month we have an event focused on mentoring (organised by our fabulous Juniour Lawyers Division). I encourage all members to attend.
As I mentioned during my speech at the House of Lords I’ve been very fortunate to work with a dream team on our board and our subcommittees and I want to pay tribute to all the team for their dedication and hard work. In particular to the hugely talented Suzanna Eames.
It has been an honour to represent the society at prestigious events around the world to develop and expand relationships, including the kind and hospitable professionals who run the bars/law societies of: Barcelona, Milan, Warsaw, Paris, Dallas and their academic colleagues.’