Women in Clinical Negligence - Part 2

In the run-up to a roundtable discussion that we’re hosting at the Law Society, this month, we spoke to a number of women working in clinical negligence about their experiences, some of the challenges they have faced and the impact they think women have had on this vital but often embattled area of law.

One of the questions we asked them was how they think women have changed the clinical negligence landscape and will continue to.

Some of the answers to this particular question are listed below, but you can read the full interviews with each of the lawyers, here.

Sarah Stanton - Medical Negligence Partner, Moore Barlow LLP

The overwhelming majority of people working in this area are women. It is possible – although this is anecdotal – that the greater degree of cooperation between parties that one now sees in this area is due to that. Also, now that I am in a senior position and my children are grown up, I am aware that for younger women, I am a role model and if I can make their passage through the profession easier - particularly if they are trying to juggle work with a family - then I feel that I have a responsibility to try to do that.

Arti Shah - Clinical Negligence Partner, Fieldfisher

I am so privileged to work in an area of law where the majority of practitioners are women – phenomenal, smart and exceptionally talented ones at that! I am pleased to see women supporting women at all levels, openly sharing their lived experiences and challenges, and wanting to make the profession as inclusive and accessible as possible. There are so many brilliant role models, networking opportunities and webinars addressing so many of the common issues that crop up. In addition, for the general public, seeing an increasingly diverse profession with women from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, can only be a good thing for access to justice.

Amelia Sutcliffe - Clinical Negligence Solicitor, The Smith Partnership

In my personal experience, I think women working in the clinical negligence field bring a new level of representation and understanding for clients. There are experiences that only a woman can relate to, so the more female practitioners, I’ve found the more positive an experience for the client.

Ramune Mickeviciute - Solicitor, Clinical Negligence - Hugh James

I have noticed that there are more and more women taking up the leading roles in clinical negligence, which makes me very proud. I think this area of law, that requires one to have a lot of empathy, should definitely include women. I think this is exactly what women have done over the years; they have made empathy look fashionable. I feel encouraged to fight for my clients and not afraid to look crazy, needy or emotional by doing that.

Sarah Kingsley Fried, Senior Associate - Fieldfisher

I have always been surrounded by brilliant female role models, at the top of their game. I think a lot of this comes down to developing a culture that allows women to continue succeeding and developing their careers even after having children.