An exhibition celebrating ‘100 Years of Women at the Bar’, previously on display at the Royal Courts of Justice, was the backdrop to a special evening at The Abbey, ‘Looking Towards a Future in Law’, bringing together young people and eminent speakers from the legal and justice profession.

Over 400 people attended this launch event for ARCH – a multi-school partnership bringing together students, professionals and community partners from across Reading to create innovative learning experiences for young people. Keynote speeches were delivered by Court of Appeal Judge, Lady Justice Andrews, Barrister & Abbey Alumna Samantha Woodham and Entrepreneur & Lawyer Dana Denis-Smith. Students from The Abbey, The Holt and John Madejski Academy put on theatrical performances inspired by the true stories of the first pioneering female barristers, and all the young people attending, from 5 schools, had the opportunity to explore a future in law in breakout groups with the many lawyers supporting the evening.

The High Sheriff of Berkshire, Alka Kharbanda and Deputy Mayor of Reading, Cllr Debs Edwards were among the distinguished guests joining us on the evening.  Our thanks to Lady Justice Geraldine Andrews DBE for sponsoring the ‘100 Years of Women at the Bar’ Exhibition at The Abbey and to the Judicial Office for their facilitation. 

Read more about the keynote speakers and the array of professional guests who took in the breakout room conversations with students below.

Keynote speakers

Samantha Woodham (alumna of The Abbey) is a family law barrister at 4PB and co-founder of The Divorce Surgery. 

Samantha champions women in industry, was shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year at the Women in Law Awards 2020, won Champion of the Year in the Citywealth Powerwomen of the Year Awards 2021 and was one of 40 women awarded the Government’s Women in Innovation Award. She was shortlisted for Barrister of the Year at the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards 2022, the only non-silk nominee.

Dame Geraldine Andrews DBE (alumna of The Holt) is the first woman graduate of King’s College London to be appointed a High Court Judge, becoming part of a proportionately small but growing group of women who have joined the ranks of the Senior Judiciary. As Lady Justice of Appeal of England and Wales she sits in both criminal and civil appeals and in the Divisional Court.

Dana Denis-Smith, founder and CEO, Obelisk Support and Founder of First Hundred Years – Next Hundred Years. Dana studied at LSE, embarked on a career as a journalist before switching focus and training as a lawyer with Linklaters. She set up her own business, Obelisk Support, to provide flexible legal services to top companies and law firms, using lawyers who no longer wanted a traditional legal career. Dana is passionate about access to justice and equality of opportunity.

Breakout room guests:

• Dheeba Ali, Paralegal, LLB Law graduate and training to qualify as a solicitor
• Annabel Allen, trainee solicitor having studied History at Durham followed by a law conversion course (Abbey Alumna)
• Emily Campbell, Barrister & Senior Counsel (Abbey Alumna)
• Vanessa Cheyne, Senior Lawyer with the Commercial Law Group of the Government Legal Department
• Bella Cordwell, LLB Law Graduate, Southampton (Abbey Alumna)
• Georgie Dibbo, currently studying for the bar course, qualifying as a barrister in 2023 (Abbey Alumna)
• Simon Dimmick, planning lawyer with expertise in environmental matters, charities and strategic planning
• Chief Superintendent Sarah Grahame, Berkshire Local Police Areas
• Helen Habershon, solicitor specialising in family law
• Alka Kharbanda, High Sheriff of Berkshire 2022-23, partner at a law firm and specialises in dispute resolution
• Frances Kyle, Senior Associate Solicitor in the dispute resolution team
• Jenny Marsh, partner at a London law firm, focusing on competition law (Abbey Alumna)
• Ben May, Senior Crown Prosecutor, CPS
• HHJ Heather Norton, Resident Judge, Reading Crown Court
• Nikki Phillips, Deputy General Counsel & Director of Legal Operations (Abbey Alumna)
• Lila Raczkevy, second year Law & French Student at University of Bristol
• Immi Ramskill, Chemistry at Oxford followed by a Law conversion course. Studying for Solicitor Qualifying Examinations before starting a training contract (Abbey Alumna)
• Elisabeth West, lawyer and lecturer, volunteer advisor at Citizens Advice
• Alexander Wright, Solicitor, converting to law from the pensions industry (Abbey Alumna)