The writer is a diversity and inclusion advocate.
Every time I speak of increased representation of women in law, I am met with some very standard responses. The majority question the integrity, commitment and competence of female lawyers, a few bring up the seniority debate, some quite ignorantly hand down the ratio argument to superficially and, quite frankly, lazily accept the current disparity as being justified in terms of the number of male and female members licensed to practise law.
Still yet there are questions on the pipeline of eligible candidates and women’s own apprehensions in coming forward and competing for leadership positions all the while those with fake degrees have been allowed space to reach the highest forums of regulatory bodies in law. In other words, non-lawyers have been placed on pedestals of leadership but there has been nearly no space for duly qualified women in leadership roles within the profession.