We hosted over 100 black women who aspire to conquer Commercial Law!
On 20 September 2024, WCAN (Women in the City Afro-Caribbean Network) hosted their highly anticipated Law Conference 2024 at the offices of Travers Smith, bringing together Black female students, graduates, and career-changers eager to build their careers in law. Themed "Exceeding Your Vision," the event provided attendees with a platform to gain invaluable insights, receive practical advice, and network with some of the legal industry's most prestigious firms.
Setting the Stage
The conference kicked off with a welcoming icebreaker by the WCAN team, setting a tone of empowerment and solidarity. Aimed at preparing attendees for the recruitment season, the event featured workshops, networking sessions, and interactive discussions designed to provide practical skills and confidence for securing training contracts and vacation schemes.
A Stellar Lineup of Sponsors
This year's conference boasted a remarkable lineup of sponsors, each offering their unique expertise and support. The host sponsor, Travers Smith, set the tone for the event, showcasing their commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. In addition, Slaughter and May headlined as the platinum sponsor, reinforcing their reputation as one of the world’s top law firms, renowned for handling complex international transactions and advising corporate giants.
Our gold sponsors—Baker McKenzie, Norton Rose Fulbright, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Penningtons Manches Cooper—were also in attendance, sharing valuable insights into the diverse career paths available within their firms.
The premier sponsors, Addleshaw Goddard and Macfarlanes, brought their unique perspectives to the table, delivering engaging workshops and advice tailored to the attendees. Finally, major sponsors such as Dentons, RPC, and Reed Smith rounded out the list of participating firms, ensuring the event was filled with rich opportunities for networking and learning.
Keynote Inspiration and Practical Workshops
The conference officially began with a powerful keynote address by Kizzy Augustin, Partner at Mishcon de Reya, whose journey in the legal profession was nothing short of inspiring. Her talk resonated deeply with attendees, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, self-confidence, and early preparation in navigating the legal industry.
Following the keynote, attendees participated in an Application Drafting workshop led by graduate recruiters and trainees, where they received tailored feedback on how to craft standout applications for vacation schemes and training contracts.
Lauren Dey, Senior Early Careers Advisor at Addleshaw Goddard, took the lead on the Commercial Awareness session, guiding attendees through the intricacies of understanding market dynamics, client industries, and how this knowledge translates into successful legal advice.
Interactive Networking Sessions
Networking was a core focus of the day. During the structured networking lunch, attendees had the chance to rotate through various tables, engaging with professionals from different firms in 10-minute sessions. This format ensured that every participant maximised their networking opportunities and connected with potential employers.
The Trainee Seat Speed Dating session provided attendees with a firsthand look at the different seats available during a training contract, helping them better understand how to navigate their own career paths within law firms. This was followed by the Crush Your Case Study workshop, led by Veer Shah, Trainee Solicitor at Travers Smith, which equipped participants with the skills to approach and excel in case study exercises during interviews using great acronyms such as PESTEL to approach any case study problem.
Black Women in Law Panel
A highlight of the conference was the Black Women in Law Panel, which featured candid discussions from a panel of successful women currently navigating the legal profession. Panelists included:
Rachel Rotimi, Trainee Solicitor at Baker McKenzie
Deborah Fashakin, Trainee Solicitor at Macfarlanes
Lucille Gwati, Future Trainee Solicitor at Clyde & Co
Lora Abagero, Associate (Corporate) at Travers Smith
Sabrina Daniel, Future Trainee Solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills
Titilope Obadina, Future Trainee Solicitor at Norton Rose Fulbright
Their stories of perseverance, resilience, and success in the legal industry provided invaluable insights and inspiration to all attendees.
Looking Ahead
The WCAN Law Conference 2024 was an extraordinary event, offering Black women the resources, inspiration, and connections necessary to thrive in the legal profession. With the support of firms like Travers Smith and Slaughter and May, and the invaluable insights provided by all sponsors, attendees left the conference not only better prepared but also inspired to excel in their careers.
Get Involved
If you're interested in participating in future WCAN events or exploring sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us at sponsorship@wcan.uk. Together, we can continue to break barriers, foster inclusion, and empower the next generation of Black women in law.
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