Welcome everyone! It is fantastic to see you all here.
First and foremost I would like to thank and congratulate Stephen Luke for his brilliant year as President. I have really enjoyed getting to know and work with Stephen over the last year. He has brought an unflappable presence and complete commitment to the role and I am very pleased that he will continue on the Executive of the Society to support me during my year as President. I can also say that the opening sequence of the Annual Dinner will be one to go down in history, and sets a very dangerous precedent…
Congratulations also to Marie Dancer who steps up to Vice President and Drew Dennis who becomes Deputy Vice President. I know I can count on them for their support, as they can mine.
I am excited to take on the role of President this year. I have always believed and my experience confirms, that Nottinghamshire Law Society is a force for good. I might be biased but my view is that we are unrivalled in the support we provide to members and that we are a beacon of good practice to other societies across the country. That was only too apparent when I attended the inaugural luncheon last month. With representatives from other local societies across the country, the room was buzzing with ideas, sharing of best practice and enthusiasm. This was of course organised and spearheaded by our one and only Michelle Foster. Her dedication, innovation and energy is completely unparalleled and we are extremely lucky to have her. It is without reservation that I say that Nottinghamshire Law Society could not function without her. Thank you Michelle.
And so, to turn to the coming year. Astonishingly, we are now in our 150th year. This is undoubtedly something to be celebrated and so the pressure is on to make it a memorable one. The last year has certainly seen a return to post-Covid life with a renewed vigour. Unquestionably some of my themes for the year are fun, laughter and friendships. The social side of the society has grown exponentially, and with the increasing variety of our events, our engagement with members is ever-growing, and I hope we can appeal to even more members this year.
I also want to show a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion within the society and the profession more generally. I am proud to have come from a background which is not traditionally well-represented in law, particularly in a leadership position, being both a woman and from what I would describe as a working-class background. Championing the underdog has always been my jam. I try to do it across all areas of my life, including my professional life which now also involves this role.
My more active involvement in the society came about when I was asked to be the (co) Chair of the Equality and Diversity committee in 2019. This committee was established by my very good friend and trailblazing lawyer, Laura Pinkney, whilst she was president of this society. Since that time, despite COVID interrupting our momentum, the society now has an established presence at PRIDE, we have collaborated with other professional groups to put on events and we now celebrate our Equality and Diversity champions at the annual dinner.
I find that I am taking on the role of President as only the 8th female in its history, which I find astounding. However, much more encouragingly, I am the 4th female president in the last 7 years. Kathryn Meir, Laura Pinkney and Janine McKinney, who have all come before me, have all had a direct impact on my journey to this position. After all, if nothing else seeing is believing and I know that driving equality and diversity formed key parts in their years as president.
And so, at least so far as female representation goes in the position of president at this society, it feels like times have and are changing and again Nottinghamshire Law Society is paving the way.
However, nationwide and more generally, statistics show that women, lawyers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic origin, those from the LGBTQIA+ community and those with a disability are still under-represented within the profession, particularly at partnership level. And those coming from an independent or fee paying school are overrepresented.
And so, it is so important for all of us as a profession, for our members, as employers and for the clients we represent that we never regard our work as “done”.
We have new chairs of the Equality and Diversity Committee, Sarah Singh and Elliot Bedwell-Mintz. I have seen their passion for this and I know the committee with flourish under their leadership. I am really looking forward to working with them closely this year.
And this brings to me onto our sub-committees more generally. The members of these committees make up a vital part of the work of the society, who give up their time voluntarily and selflessly to promote the excellent work of the society. The same goes for my fellow council members and to the Nottingham Junior Lawyers Division. Thank you all very much.
There is much I have not touched on, I know, but I finally just want to mention the society’s charity contribution. The final total raised for Stephen’s chosen charity, Maggie’s, this year is in excess of £15,000 which is just incredible.
I am therefore delighted to welcome this evening, Nick and Colin, from my chosen charity this year, Harmless and the Tomorrow Project. Thank you so much for joining us.
By way of introduction to this amazing charity, Harmless was established in 2007 and provides direct support, information, training and consultancy to individuals who self-harm, their friends, families and professionals.
Their sister service, the Tomorrow Project, offers crucial crisis intervention and bereavement support to those affected by suicide.
As we know, as a profession, lawyers suffer disproportionately from the effects of poor mental health and, as we also know, there can be much shame and stigma around these subjects. My decision to support Harmless and the Tomorrow Project is deeply personal and seldom shared until now. Throughout my child and early adulthood, the mental health struggles of those closest to me cast a shadow over my life. I’ve been intimately touched by suicide and self-harm, including the loss of my dad to suicide when I was 12 years old and the ongoing battles faced by others including my step-dad, brother and sister. I understand firsthand the profound impact these struggles have on individuals and their families and I have experienced the scarcity of much-needed services, particularly by those that cannot afford finance access to help themselves.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists reported in October 2022 that 23% of patients wait more than 12 weeks to start treatment, 43% say that waits have led to their mental health getting worse and 78% have sought help from emergency services. It is clear to see why services like Harmless have been left to plug the gap, but their own existence is at least in part reliant on charitable donations. This is why I am delighted to work with them this year and really hope we, through the generous donations and charitable efforts of our members, can make a meaningful contribution to their front-line, vital services.
It is difficult to open up about such personal matters but, with the support of those around me, including many in this room, I feel somewhat empowered by sharing, and hopefully all for the greater benefit of Harmless and the Tomorrow Project.
I really do feel very privileged to be your new president of this brilliant society. Now to get on with the rest of the formalities before we get on with what we do best, mingling (and eating!).
Best wishes,
Lauren Crow
President 2024-2025