Women's Network

The Women's Network

Empowering Women in the Legal Profession

The LSNI Women’s Network is a supportive and inclusive community for women across the legal profession in Northern Ireland. Established to promote gender equality, amplify female voices, and champion career development, the network offers a space for connection, inspiration, and leadership.

We believe in empowering women at every stage of their legal careers—from trainees to senior partners—while advocating for meaningful change across the sector.

: The LSNI Women’s Network was established in response to growing evidence of persistent gender-based challenges within the legal profession in Northern Ireland. Although women make up more than half of practising solicitors, research commissioned by LSNI (Hook Tangaza, 2024) reveals they remain underrepresented in senior roles, such as partnership positions. The research also identified a trend of mid-career migration, with many women leaving private practice or exiting the legal sector altogether, often due to limited progression opportunities, a lack of flexibility, and work-life balance challenges tied to caring responsibilities.
Informed by both the Diversity and Equality Report (2022) and qualitative research with women who left private practice, LSNI committed to prioritising the improvement of women’s experiences within the solicitor profession. Among the key findings was a strong desire from women across all career stages for greater peer support, flexible working structures, and meaningful career development pathways.
The Women’s Network is a direct response to these needs. It serves as a platform for peer-to-peer connection, collaboration, and professional development. Aligned with the LSNI Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Strategy 2024–28, the network exists to:
Foster retention and progression of women solicitors.
Support a more equitable and inclusive profession.
Act as a forum for co-creating positive change.
The Network will work alongside an overarching steering group to guide its development and ensure it reflects the lived experiences of women across Northern Ireland. Through a combination of local and virtual events, resource sharing, mentoring, and advocacy, the Women’s Network will address the specific needs of key groups: graduates, mid-career professionals, women returning to the profession, and those aspiring to leadership or partnership roles.
We recognise the diversity of our female membership and the importance of ensuring inclusion across geographical regions, career stages, and work environments. By facilitating regional participation, leveraging technology, and encouraging collaborative leadership, the Network is designed to be accessible, sustainable, and relevant.
At its core, the LSNI Women’s Network is about strengthening the voice, visibility, and value of women in law—today and for generations to come.
: Driving Equality and Opportunity
The Women’s Network is committed to:
Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the legal profession.
Providing professional development opportunities for women solicitors.
Creating safe spaces for open dialogue and peer support.
Celebrating the achievements of women in law.
Collaborating with other equality-focused groups and stakeholders.
The network is guided by 4 key principals derived from out research in to the lived experience of female solicitors;
All our events will target 4 cohorts of women (i) law graduates and early career practitioners; (ii) mid-career practitioners; (iii) female returners and (iv) those aiming for or already in leadership positions.
Three events will be held per quarter each year.
Events will be decentralised from Belfast only locations.
The network will be co-designed, co-produced and co-evaluated by the network representatives and steering group members.
: Throughout the year, the Women’s Network hosts a range of events including:
Leadership and mentoring workshops
Panel discussions on key issues affecting women in law
Networking lunches and informal coffee mornings
Awareness campaigns for International Women’s Day and other milestones
Webinars on work-life balance, wellbeing, and career growth
Our events are open to all solicitors and aim to foster meaningful engagement and change. Our programme of events for 2026 will be launched soon.
: Be Part of the Movement
Membership of the Women’s Network is open to all solicitors in Northern Ireland who support gender equality and the advancement of women in law.
To join or learn more email us at womensnetwork@lawsoc-ni.org
Whether you want to participate, lead, or simply listen, your voice matters.
: The Women’s Network is supported by a dedicated group of representatives across each of the local solicitor associations in Northern Ireland. These representatives act as a first point of contact for members in their areas, helping to promote events, share opportunities, and provide localised support.
They are here to listen, connect, and advocate for you within the broader LSNI Women’s Network.