Working it – how to juggle parenthood and being a lawyer

Wards Solicitors' Head of Disputes, Elizabeth Fry, gave an insight into how she has worked her way up to partner level whilst bringing up two children when she spoke at a special lunchtime networking event for Bristol's Women Lawyers Division (WLD Bristol).

More than 30 people attended the talk, the first of a series aimed at working mothers in the legal sector, and Elizabeth, an equity partner at Wards Solicitors, also took a question and answer session dealing with issues including the effect that pregnancy and planning a family can have on career progression.

WLD Bristol, a sub-division of the Law Society, is committed to promoting excellence and the growth of women within the industry and works actively to forge links between businesses and the legal profession.

The event, in conjunction with WLD Bristol, was arranged by members Lucia Mills, Wards Solicitors' cohabitation specialist and Wards Solicitors' family and divorce lawyer, Suzanne Henderson, both mothers of two young children who felt this area needed more debate and discussion within the legal sector.

Lucia said: "Going forward we will be looking at putting on more talks covering issues like childcare, dealing with a case load whilst working part time, networking and career progression."