News 14 Nov 2019 Ashurst publishes "First Women" centenary publication

2019 marked 100 years since the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 received royal assent, which for the first time permitted women to practise law in the United Kingdom. Prior to this date only a "person" could practise law. In 1914, the Court of Appeal had confirmed, in the case of Bebb v the Law Society, that "person" did not include women.

To mark this significant milestone, the Ashurst First Women project team have produced a publication: "First Women: Stories of Women at Ashurst". The publication has been written to reflect on the firm's socially progressive foundations (embedded in the stories and writings of its founder William Ashurst, and his daughters and granddaughters), celebrate the achievements of the first generations of female lawyers at Ashurst, and contemplate what the next 100 years might hold for women in law.

Showcasing interviews with many inspirational women including Ashurst's first female articled clerk (trainee solicitor), first three female partners, as well as current leaders and future joiners, we hope that you enjoy reading this unique publication which has been commissioned and written especially for the occasion.

"I recognise there is still much to do to achieve genuine equality in the profession, but I believe we have made great progress. I also take tremendous encouragement from reading the stories of some of the women who have joined the profession and the firm more recently." – Ben Tidswell, Chairman.

"First Women: Stories of Women at Ashurst" can be downloaded below the video.

First Women video

Ashurst First Women Project Team 14 Nov 2019

First Women: Stories of Women at Ashurst

Please watch this video to gain an insight into the First Women project and to hear from some of Ashurst's first women and leaders as we reflect on the centenary of women being able to practise law in the UK. (Running time: 6 mins approx.)

Key Contacts

Alicia Wells

London

+44 20 7859 3138

Alicia.Wells@ashurst.com
Rosie Stanger

London

+44 20 7859 2689

Rosie.Stanger@ashurst.com

Keep up to date

Sign up to receive the latest legal developments, insights and news from Ashurst. By signing up, you agree to receive commercial messages from us. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Material personally selected by your relationship manager for your interest.

Access all of the content that you have previously selected to bookmark.

Scroll through these slides to access the personalised features of your Dashboard.

A virtual library of regularly posted insights and legal updates based on your selected preferences.

People

People Search

Locations

Expertise

Practices

Industries

Innovation from Ashurst Advance

News & Insights

TRENDING

About Us

LATEST NEWS

Insights ()

People ()

Other Results ()

News 14 Nov 2019 Ashurst publishes "First Women" centenary publication

First Women video

First Women: Stories of Women at Ashurst

Download

ASHURST FIRST WOMEN PROJECT TEAM

Key Contacts

Keep up to date

My Documents

My Bookmarks

Get started

My Suggested Reading

News 14 Nov 2019 Ashurst publishes "First Women" centenary publication

First Women video

First Women: Stories of Women at Ashurst

Download

ASHURST FIRST WOMEN PROJECT TEAM

Key Contacts

Keep up to date

My Documents

My Bookmarks

Get started

My Suggested Reading

Forgot Password - Ashurst Account

Login